Probiotics and COVID‐19: is there any link?

• Published in: Letters in applied microbiology Vol. 71; no. 3; pp. 229 - 234
• Main Author: Akour, A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Oxford University Press 01.09.2020; John Wiley and Sons Inc
• Subjects: adjunctive therapy; Animal models; Animals; Anti-Inflammatory Agents - therapeutic use; antiviral; Antiviral activity; anti‐inflammatory; COVID-19; COVID-19 - diet therapy; COVID-19 infection; Cytokine storm; Cytokines; Cytokines - blood; Dietary Supplements; disease prevention; Gastrointestinal Microbiome - drug effects; Humans; Inflammation; Intestinal microflora; intestinal microorganisms; Microbiota; Microorganisms; Probiotics; Probiotics - therapeutic use; Prophylaxis; Rats; Review; SARS-CoV-2 - drug effects; Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2; therapeutics; Viral diseases; COVID-19; microbiota; anti-inflammatory; adjunctive therapy; antiviral; probiotics
• ISSN: 0266-8254; 1472-765X; 1472-765X
• DOI: 10.1111/lam.13334

Understanding mechanisms of the novel SARS‐CoV2 infection and progression can provide potential novel targets for prevention and/or treatment. This could be achieved via the inhibition of viral entry and/or replication, or by suppression of the immunologic response that is provoked by the infection (known as the cytokine storm). Probiotics are defined as ‘live microorganisms that, when administered in adequate amounts, confer a health benefit on the host’. There is scarcity of evidence about the relationship between COVID‐19 and gut microbiota. So, whether or not these supplements can prevent or ameliorate COVID‐19‐associated symptoms is not fully understood. The aim of this study is to provide an indirect evidence about the utility of probiotics in combating COVID‐19 or its associated symptoms, through the review of its antiviral and anti‐inflammatory properties in vitro, animal models and human trials. Significance and Impact of the Study The role of probiotics in alleviation of the novel COVID‐19 has not been established. This review provides an insight about the anti‐inflammatory, antiviral effects of probiotics in vitro, animal models and human. The latter can provide an indirect evidence and/or hypothesis‐driven approach to investigate the use of probiotics as adjunctive therapy in the prophylaxis and/or alleviation of COVID‐19 symptoms. Significance and Impact of the Study: The role of probiotics in alleviation of the novel COVID‐19 has not been established. This review provides an insight about the anti‐inflammatory, antiviral effects of probiotics in vitro, animal models and human. The latter can provide an indirect evidence and/or hypothesis‐driven approach to investigate the use of probiotics as adjunctive therapy in the prophylaxis and/or alleviation of COVID‐19 symptoms.