Supplements' impact on immunity and COVID-19

Authors

  • Sourabh Bajpai SGT university, Gurgaon, India
  • Saher Khan Era University, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India
  • Maria Raza SGT university, Gurgaon, India
  • Ekta A. Andriyas Era University, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20253724

Keywords:

COVID-19, Immunity, Zinc, Selenium, Gilloy and Bhuvi amla

Abstract

The footprint of ancient civilization shows that they were well-informed about the benefits and use of traditional food and medicine system not only used for treatment but also act as immunity booster. In modern medicine we observed that micro-nutrient plays important role in enhancing immunity, which was observed during pandemic of COVID represented a source of global health treatment of SARS-COV 2 infection to mitigate symptom progression in human as many supplements have been given in the treatment earlier for the treatment of COVID-19 many symptomatic medicines were given to the patient according to their clinical condition during the world health crisis. A number of research have been carried out to find out the treatment of the disease and to enhance the immune response of the body. Amongst which the role of various supplements has been a very important factors as immune enhancer which can be used as an early treatment and also has positive response in many bodies function. This study highlights the better understanding and the role of micro-nutrient and herbal medicine in blocking and entry of immunogens by stabilizing or protecting the cell membrane by enhancing the immune response of the body. Which suggest that that treatment along with more than one supplement are more effective and significantly decreases the duration.

Metrics

Metrics Loading ...

References

Coronaviridae Study Group of the International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses. The species severe acute respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus: classifying 2019-nCoV and naming it SARS-CoV-2. Nat Microbiol. 2020;5(4):536-44.

Overbeck S, Rink L, Haase H. Modulating the immune response by oral zinc supplementation: a single approach for multiple diseases. Arch Immunol Ther Exp (Warsz). 2008;56(1):15-30.

Wessels I, Rolles B, Rink L. The potential impact of zinc supplementation on COVID-19 pathogenesis. Front Immunol. 2020;11:1712.

Gammoh NZ, Rink L. Zinc in infection and inflammation. Nutrients. 2017;9(6):E624.

Hemilä H, Chalker E. Vitamin C for preventing and treating the common cold. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2013;(1):CD000980.

Singh M, Das RR. Zinc for the common cold. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2011;(2):CD001364.

Eby GA, Davis DR, Halcomb WW. Reduction in duration of common colds by zinc gluconate lozenges in a double-blind study. Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 1984;25(1):20-4.

Hemilä H. Zinc lozenges and the common cold: a meta-analysis comparing zinc acetate and zinc gluconate, and the role of zinc dosage. JRSM Open. 2017;8(5):2054270417694291.

Ibs KH, Rink L. Zinc-altered immune function. J Nutr. 2003;133(5-1):1452S-6.

Pasternak CA. A novel form of host defence: membrane protection by Ca2+ and Zn2+ Biosci Rep. 1987;7:81-91.

Ferrari E, Wright-Minogue J, Fang JW, Baroudy BM, Lau JY, Hong Z. Characterization of soluble hepatitis C virus RNA-dependent RNA polymerase expressed in Escherichia coli. J Virol. 1999;73:16494.

Hung M, Gibbs CS, Tsiang M. Biochemical characterization of rhinovirus RNA-dependent RNA polymerase. Antiviral Res. 2002;56:99-114.

Suma T, Divyang P, Barbara B, Kathy W, Qiuqing W, Anirudh K, et al. Effect of High-Dose Zinc and Ascorbic Acid Supplementation vs Usual Care on Symptom Length and Reduction Among Ambulatory Patients with SARS-CoV-2 Infection the COVID A to Z Randomized Clinical Trial JAMA Network Open. 2021;4(2):e210369.

Long J, Liu Y, Zhou X, He L. Dietary Serine Supplementation Regulates Selenoprotein Transcription and Selenoenzyme Activity in Pigs. Biol Trace Elem Res. 2020;199(1):148-53.

Gordon DE, Jang GM, Bouhaddou M, Xu J, Obernier K, White KM, et al. A SARS-CoV-2 protein interaction map reveals targets for drug repurposing. Nature. 2020;583:459-68.

Bonaventura P, Benedetti G, Albarede F, Miossec P. Zinc and its role in immunity and inflammation. Autoimmun Rev. 2015;14:277-85.

Arabi YM, Fowler R, Hayden FG. Critical care management of adults with community-acquired severe respiratory viral infection. Intensive Care Med. 2020;46:315-28.

Moghaddam A, Heller RA, Sun Q, Seelig J, Cherkezov A, Seibert L, et al. Selenium Deficiency Is Associated with Mortality Risk from COVID-19. Nutrients. 2020;12(7):2098.

Harthill M. Review: Micronutrient selenium deficiency influences evolution of some viral infectious diseases. Biol. Trace Elem. Res. 2011;143:1325-36.

Majeed M, Nagabhushanam K, Mundkur L, Narayanan NK. Selenium And COVID-19: Current Perspectives. COVID-19 and Nutraceuticals, A Guidebook: COVID-19 and Nutraceuticals. 2021;225.

Jayawardena R, Sooriyaarachchi P, Chourdakis M, Jeewandara C, Ranasinghe P. Enhancing immunity in viral infections, with special emphasis on COVID19: A review. Diabetes Metabolic Syndrome. 2020;14(4):367-82.

Skalny AV, Rink L, Ajsuvakova OP, Aschner M, Gritsenko VA, Alekseenko SI, et al. Zinc and respiratory tract infections: Perspectives for COVID19 (Review). Int J Mol Med. 2020;46(1):1726.

Hemila H. Zinc lozenges may shorten the duration of colds: A systematic review. Open Respir Med J. 2011;5:51-8.

Te Velthuis AJ, van den Worm SH, Sims AC, Baric RS, Snijder EJ, van Hemert MJ. Zn(2+) inhibits coronavirus and arterivirus RNA polymerase activity in vitro and zinc ionophores block the replication of these viruses in cell culture. PLoS Pathog. 2010;6(11):e1001176.

Iyigundogdu ZU, Demir O, Asutay AB, Sahin F. Developing Novel Antimicrobial and Antiviral Textile Products. Appl Biochem Biotechnol. 2017;181(3):1155-6.

Zhang L, Liu Y. Potential interventions for novel coronavirus in China: A systematic review. J Med Virol. 2020;92(5):479-90.

EU Scientific Committee on Food. Opinion of the Scientific Committee on Food on the Tolerable Upper Intake Level of Zinc. European Commission; Brussels, Belgium. 2003.

Fairweather-Tait SJ, Bao Y, Broadley MR, Collings R, Ford D, Hesketh JE, et al. Selenium in human health and disease. Antioxid Redox Signal. 2011;14(7):1337-83.

Lang CA, Naryshkin S, Schneider DL, Mills BJ, Lindeman RD. Low blood glutathione levels in healthy aging adults. J Lab Clin Med. 1992;120(5):720-5.

Alehagen U, Alexander J, Aaseth J. Supplementation with Selenium and Coenzyme Q10 Reduces Cardiovascular Mortality in Elderly with Low Selenium Status. A Secondary Analysis of a Randomised Clinical Trial. PLoS ONE. 2016;11:e0157541.

Broman LM, Bernardson A, Bursell K, Wernerman J, Flaring U, Tjader I. Serum selenium in critically ill patients: Profile and supplementation in a depleted region. Acta Anaesthesiol Scand. 2020;64(6):803-9.

Manzanares W, Lemieux M, Elke G, Langlois PL, Bloos F, Heyland DK. High-dose intravenous selenium does not improve clinical outcomes in the critically ill: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Crit Care. 2016;20(1):356.

Schomburg L. Selenium deficiency due to diet, pregnancy, severe illness, or COVID-19-A preventable trigger for autoimmune disease. Int J Molecular Sci. 2021;22(16):8532-3.

Kumar A, Kubota Y, Chernov M, Kasuya H. Potential role of zinc supplementation in prophylaxis and treatment of COVID-19. Med Hypotheses. 2020;144:109848.

Pedrosa LF, Barros AN, Leite-Lais L. Nutritional risk of vitamin D, vitamin C, zinc, and selenium deficiency on risk and clinical outcomes of COVID-19: A narrative review. Clin Nutrit ESPEN. 2022;47:9-27.

Majeed M, Nagabhushanam K, Prakasan P, Mundkur L. Can selenium reduce the susceptibility and severity of SARS-CoV-2?-A comprehensive review. Int J Molecular Sci. 2022;23(9):4809.

Hossain S, Urbi Z, Karuniawati H, Mohiuddin RB, Moh Qrimida A, Allzrag AMM, et al. Andrographis paniculata (Burm. f.) Wall. ex Nees: An Updated Review of Phytochemistry, Antimicrobial Pharmacology, and Clinical Safety and Efficacy. Life. 2021;11(4):348.

Dai Y, Chen SR, Chai L, Zhao J, Wang Y, Wang Y. Overview of pharmacological activities of Andrographis paniculata and its major compound andrographolide. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr. 2019;59:S17-29.

Joselin J, Jeeva S. Andrographis paniculata: A Review of its Traditional Uses, Phytochemistry and Pharmacology. Med Aromat Plants. 2014;3(4):15.

Jarukamjorn K, Nemoto N. Pharmacological Aspects of Andrographis paniculata on Health and Its Major Diterpenoid Constituent Andrographolide. J F Health Sci. 2008;54(4):370-81.

WHO. WHO Monographs on Selected Medicinal Plants. Volume 2 World Health Organization; Geneva, Switzerland. 2002. Available at: https://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/handle/10665/42052/9789241547024_eng.pdf?sequence=3&isAllowed=y. Accessed on 4 July 2025.

Mishra SK, Sangwan NS, Sangwan RS. Andrographis paniculata (Kalmegh): A Review. Pharm Rev. 2007;1(2):16.

Panossian A, Wikman G. Evidence and Rational Based Research on Chinese Drugs. Springer; Vienna, Austria: 2012. Efficacy of Andrographis paniculata in Upper Respiratory Tract Infectious Diseases and the Mechanism of Action. 2012;138.

Bensky D, Gamble A, Kaptchuk T. Chinese Herbal Medicine: Materia Medica. Eastland Press. Washington, DC, USA. 1993.

Kundu M, Chatterjee TK. Andrographolides, the active phytochemicals of the medicinal plant Andrographis paniculata and their immunomodulatory effects. Indian J Pharma Sci Res. 2025;16(8):2116-29.

Intharuksa A, Arunotayanun W, Yooin W, Sirisa-Ard P. A Comprehensive Review of Andrographis paniculata (Burm. f.) Nees and Its Constituents as Potential Lead Compounds for COVID-19 Drug Discovery. Molecules. 2022;27(14):4479.

Haseeb A. Immunomodulatory properties of Andrographis paniculata: A comprehensive review. J Herbal Med. 2020;19:100302.

Zhang Y, Zhao Z, Li P, Yi M, Cheng X, Chai W, et al. Andrographolide, a natural anti-inflammatory agent: An Update. Pharmaceuticals (Basel). 2019;12(3):123.

Li X, Yuan W, Wu J, Zhen J, Sun Q, Yu M. Andrographolide, a natural anti-inflammatory agent: An Update. Front Pharmacol. 2022;13:920435.

Tanwettiyanont J, Piriyachananusorn N, Sangsoi L, Boonsong B, Sunpapoa C, Tanamatayarat P, et al. Use of Andrographis paniculata in mild COVID-19 infections: a retrospective cohort study. Frontiers Med. 2022;9:947373.

Worakunphanich W, Thavorncharoensap M, Youngkong S, Thadanipon K, Thakkinstian A. Safety of Andrographis paniculata: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Pharmacoepidemiol Drug Saf. 2021;30(6):727-39.

Upadhyay AK, Kumar K, Kumar A, Mishra HS. Tinospora cordifolia (Willd) Hook f and Thoms (Guduchi)-Validation of the Ayurvedic pharmacology through experimental and clinical studies. Int J Ayurveda Res. 2010;1(2):112-21.

Singh N, Sharma N, Kaushik R. Anti-inflammatory activity of Tinospora cordifolia in mast cell-mediated allergy and asthma. J Ethnopharmacol. 2003;85(1):25-30.

Thatte UM, Dahanukar SA. Immunotherapeutic modification of experimental infections by Indian medicinal plants. Indian Drugs 1989;27(1):13-8.

Goel HC, Sinha AK. Tinospora cordifolia as a radioprotector. J Ethnopharmacol. 1993;72(3):44350.

Bishayi B, Roychowdhury S, Ghosh S, Sengupta M. Hepatoprotective activity of Tinospora cordifolia. J Ethnopharmacol. 2002;82(2-3):239-47.

Ravindran R, Ananthan G, Muthusamy S. Therapeutic potential of Tinospora cordifolia in combating viral infections: A review. Pharmacognosy Rev. 2021;15(30):159-68.

Shukla S, Evaluation of the anti-viral activity of Tinospora cordifolia against various viruses: A review. J Medicinal Plants Res. 2016;10(29):388-94.

Saha S. The immune modulating effects of Tinospora cordifolia: A systematic review. J Ayurveda Integr Med. 2021;12(3):386-95.

Saeed M, Naveed M, Leskovec J, Ali Kamboh A, Kakar I, Ullah K, et al. Using Guduchi (Tinospora cordifolia) as an eco-friendly feed supplement in human and poultry nutrition. Poult Sci. 2020;99(2):801-11.

Jain S. Clinical and pharmacological insights on the efficacy of Tinospora cordifolia in chronic disease management: a review of recent studies. Res J Pharm Technol. 2020;13(11):95-103.

Choudhury A. Tinospora cordifolia as a potent immunomodulator: pharmacodynamics and therapeutic implications. Int J Pharmacognosy. 2019;6(3):87-93.

Sharma R, Martins N, Kumar M. Immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory effects of Tinospora cordifolia: evidence from ethnopharmacological studies. J Ethnopharmacol. 2018;212:116-26.

Downloads

Published

2025-10-31

How to Cite

Bajpai, S., Khan, S., Raza, M., & Andriyas, E. A. (2025). Supplements’ impact on immunity and COVID-19. International Journal Of Community Medicine And Public Health, 12(11), 5341–5347. https://doi.org/10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20253724

Issue

Section

Review Articles