The ongoing outbreak of novel coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19),caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2(SARS-CoV-2),has caused an unprecedented global health crisis.Development of a cure for this de...The ongoing outbreak of novel coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19),caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2(SARS-CoV-2),has caused an unprecedented global health crisis.Development of a cure for this devastating disease is currently at full speed,with several vaccines against COVID-19 already authorized and administered.Currently,demand for these vaccines far exceeds supply.As such,boosting immunity represents a viable route to halt the rapid spread of SARS-CoV-2 and limit fatalities until vaccines become more readily and widely available.The use of phytochemicals appears to be a promising panacea.Sesamin,a lignan isolated from Sesamum indicum seeds,is known for its potent pharmacological properties,and is therefore hypothesized as a potential candidate in the therapeutic regimen against COVID-19.Herein,we highlight the confirmed therapeutic anti-inflammatory and immune-modulatory potential of sesamin against myriads of respiratory disorders,and tentatively suggest that sesamin may exert similar potent effects against COVID-19.Precisely,we speculate that sesamin may help alleviate COVID-19 via restoring Th1/Th2 balance and preventing inflammation and cytokine storm development.Additionally,we further support the promising role of sesamin against COVID-19 by underscoring the direct evidence,which suggests that sesamin may demonstrate promising inhibitory potential against three important SARS-CoV-2 targets,namely main protease,spike protein,and angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 receptor.Although preliminary,there is ample evidence to propose sesamin as a potential phytotherapeutic and prophylactic candidate against COVID-19.Further in vitro,in vivo,and preclinical studies are required to further substantiate the role of sesamin in the prevention and/or treatment of COVID-19.展开更多
文摘The ongoing outbreak of novel coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19),caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2(SARS-CoV-2),has caused an unprecedented global health crisis.Development of a cure for this devastating disease is currently at full speed,with several vaccines against COVID-19 already authorized and administered.Currently,demand for these vaccines far exceeds supply.As such,boosting immunity represents a viable route to halt the rapid spread of SARS-CoV-2 and limit fatalities until vaccines become more readily and widely available.The use of phytochemicals appears to be a promising panacea.Sesamin,a lignan isolated from Sesamum indicum seeds,is known for its potent pharmacological properties,and is therefore hypothesized as a potential candidate in the therapeutic regimen against COVID-19.Herein,we highlight the confirmed therapeutic anti-inflammatory and immune-modulatory potential of sesamin against myriads of respiratory disorders,and tentatively suggest that sesamin may exert similar potent effects against COVID-19.Precisely,we speculate that sesamin may help alleviate COVID-19 via restoring Th1/Th2 balance and preventing inflammation and cytokine storm development.Additionally,we further support the promising role of sesamin against COVID-19 by underscoring the direct evidence,which suggests that sesamin may demonstrate promising inhibitory potential against three important SARS-CoV-2 targets,namely main protease,spike protein,and angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 receptor.Although preliminary,there is ample evidence to propose sesamin as a potential phytotherapeutic and prophylactic candidate against COVID-19.Further in vitro,in vivo,and preclinical studies are required to further substantiate the role of sesamin in the prevention and/or treatment of COVID-19.