h) Vitamins and supplements
B vitamins : These Vitamins have a role in the immune system and B
vitamin deficiency could result in a weak immune system. So resolving B
vitamin deficiencies is important for strengthening the body against the
coronavirus(8).
Vitamin C: Vitamin C is necessary for immune system functions
(54). Lower respiratory tract infection could be a result of COVID‐19
disease, so vitamin C could be an effective option for the treatment of
this infection (8).
Vitamin D3 : Patients with a weak immune system as a result of
vitamin D3 deficiency, are at a higher risk to infect to COVID-19 (55).
omega‐3 Polyunsaturated fatty acids(PUFA)‐derived lipid
mediator : This lipid mediator inhibited influenza virus replication
strongly (8).
Selenium: Selenium deficiency affects the immune system
response and the virus elimination (56).
Ebselen: It’ an anti-oxidant agent with anti-inflammatory and
cytoprotective properties (45, 57).
Glycyrrhizin , a component of licorice roots, is a traditional
Chinese herbal medicine. Glycyrrhizin has inhibitory effects on SARS
replication.
Baicalin , another Chinese herb was also found to be a SARS-CoV
inhibiting and immune system enhancer.
Shikonin is also another herbal medicine showing promising
results (45).
Estradiol and phytoestrogen : Epidemiologic studies reveal men
undergo a higher rate of morbidity and mortality in comparison to
females after SARS-CoV infection. However an increase was reported in
the number of female mice mortality after ovariectomy or administration
of estrogen receptor antagonist (8).