Natural Molecules Against Viruses

Every year, millions of people get sick and many die from the Influenza (flu) virus. The COVID-19 pandemic additionally claimed millions of lives, but many more of those infected with SARS-CoV-2 develop post-acute sequelae, commonly referred to as “long COVID syndrome”, weeks to months after the initial infection regardless of the severity of the original infection. Long COVID is characterized by persistent fatigue, various neuropsychiatric, neurological and neurodegenerative issues, as well as cognitive and memory deficits, often described as “brain fog.” Considering the impact of viral infections, exploring Natural Antiviral Supplements has become more important than ever.

What are the mechanism(s) involved in the pathogenesis of long COVID?

The exact mechanism(s) involved in the pathogenesis of long COVID remains elusive. The available evidence indicates that SARS-CoV-2 does not multiply in the brain.

Increasing evidence indicates also that:

• The virus or its Spike protein can accumulate in bodily “reservoirs” and can linger on for more than 2 years.

Recent evidence and studies from the laboratory of Dr. Theoharides, Algonot’s Scientific Director, indicate that the coronavirus Spike protein can directly activate the unique immune cells, mast cells and microglia, leading to perivascular neuroinflammation. In particular, Dr. Theoharides and his colleagues reported that the Spike protein stimulated human mast cells and microglia to release proinflammatory and neurotoxic molecules.

ViralProtek^® to the Rescue:

Our defenses against viruses are very poor, and viruses change rapidly allowing them to escape. Moreover, viruses can also stimulate excessive release of damaging cytokines and other destructive molecules by activating toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), unrelated to the angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE2) receptor necessary for coronavirus viral entry. Presently, there are no effective drugs to prevent viral infections, especially long COVID, and symptoms can develop even in patients who had been vaccinated.

ViralProtek^® contains four natural molecules with unique antiviral properties:

1. The flavonoid eriodyctiol (tetramethoxyflavanone) is a structural analogue of luteolin (tetramethoxyflavone) and is more potent than luteolin in its antiallergic and anti-inflammatory actions; moreover, they both are neuroprotective and reduce cognitive dysfunction, especially brain fog. Luteolin was also reported to inhibit SARS-CoV-2 binding to ACE2. Moreover, eriodictyol was identified as a potent inhibitor of SARS-CoV-2.

2. The polyphenolic compounds oleuropein and hydroxytyrosol present in olive oil and olive leaves, are powerful SARS-CoV-2 antiviral and serine protease inhibitors. In fact, oleuropein was identified as a potent compound against neurological complications associated with COVID-19.

3. Sulforaphane was reported to inhibit SARS-CoV-2-induced cytokine storms.

In the absence of any repurposed drugs, it seems prudent to use the dietary supplement ViralProtek^® as it is safe and potentially quite effective against Long COVID.

Why ViralProtek^® ?

Any successful intervention against viruses, especially SARS-CoV-2, would require a multifaceted approach to address various targets. This is accomplished with the ingredients present in ViralProtek^®, that target: (a) receptors, such as ACE2 for viral binding and cellular entry, (b) enzymes such as serine proteases required for viral entry; (c) TLR4 for inflammatory molecule production and (d) RNA polymerases for viral replication (Fig. 1).

References:

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