Probiotics as Potential Therapeutics for Managing COVID-19: Mechanisms and Implications
Aditya Chaudhary
Department of Health Sciences, University of the People, Pasadena, California 91101, USA.
Baljeet Singh Saharan *
Department of Microbiology, Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar 125 004, India.
Swati Tyagi
Rice Breeding Platform, IRRI- South Asia Regional Centre, Varanasi 221106, India.
Chhaya Goyal
Department of Dairy Science & Food Technology, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India.
Neelam Kumari Mandal
Department of Botany, Government PG College, Panchkula, 134 112, India.
Ramesh Kumar
Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Ambala 133104, 125 004, India.
Joginder Singh Duhan *
Department of Biotechnology, Chaudhary Devi Lal University, Sirsa 125055, Haryana, India.
Prerana Badoni
Forest Pathology Division, Forest research Institute, Dehradun, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
The transmission of viruses between different animal species and humans can lead to the emergence of new infectious diseases with unpredictable pathogenic potential. COVID-19, caused by SARS-CoV-2, has had a significant impact on human health and the global economy. The disease is characterized by symptoms such as dry cough, fatigue, muscle pain, fever, shortness of breath, gastrointestinal discomfort, nausea, vomiting, and runny nose. With limited vaccine accessibility for individuals between the ages of 18 and 45, exploring alternative therapies is essential. This paper aims to elucidate the preventive and supportive therapeutic role of probiotics in managing COVID-19. It discusses the specific mechanisms by which probiotics regulate the balance of gut microbes, promote gut homeostasis, and exert regulatory effects on the mucosal immune system, the gut-lung axis, and potential antiviral processes.
Keywords: Probiotics, COVID-19, gut-lung axis, pandemic, Psychobiotics, immunity