Blog

Winston Churchill the prominent Prime Minister of Great Britain once wrote after WWII: “Now this is not the end. It is not even the beginning of the end. But it is perhaps, the end of the beginning”.

Considering the COVID-19 Pandemic as the biggest global trauma after WWII, I could not agree more to the validity of Mr. Churchill’s words for the COVID-19 pandemic, it is perhaps the end of the beginning.

The SARS-COVID-19 pandemic is a story in three parts; onset, middle chapters, and epilogue, and we are still at the onset or at the first chapters of the middle.

Currently, therapeutic management focuses on resuscitation and immediate treatment with antivirals, immune modulators, and cytokine targeted therapies to dampen the overly exuberant immune response. However, early anecdotal evidence of post-COVID morbidity and mortality, the submerged part of the metaphoric iceberg, suggests an urgent need for and focus on specialized aftercare.

Older people and people with many serious medical conditions are the most likely to experience lingering COVID-19 symptoms, but even young, otherwise healthy people can feel unwell for weeks to months after infection. Common signs and symptoms that linger over time include:

• Fatigue
• Shortness of Breath
• Cough
• Joint Pain
• Chest Pain
• Memory, concentration, or sleep problems
• Muscle pain
• Fast or pounding heartbeat.
• Loss of smell and taste
• Depression or anxiety
• Fever
• Dizziness
• Worsened symptoms after physical or mental activities

Organs that are affected by COVID-19 include.

Lungs: the type of pneumoniae often associated with COVID-19 can cause long-standing damage to the tiny air sacs (alveoli) in the lungs. The resulting scar tissue can lead to long-term breathing problems.

Heart: Imaging tests taken months after recovery from COVID-19 have shown lasting damage to the heart muscle, even in people who experienced only mild COVID-19 symptoms. This may increase the risk of heart failure or other heart complications in the future.

Brain: Even in young people, COVID-19 can cause strokes, seizures or temporary paralysis. COVID-19 may also increase the risk of developing Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s Disease.

Many people who have recovered from SARS have gone to develop chronic fatigue syndrome, a complex disorder characterized by extreme fatigue that worsens with physical or mental activity but doesn’t improve with rest. The same may be true for people who have had COVID-19. Post-COVID symptoms like lung fibrosis, vasculitis, etc. are a result of a phenomena called “cytokine storms”, which could be defined as an excessive and uncontrolled reaction against the pathogen.

Unfortunately, the devastating effect of this excessive response is considered as the major complication of COVID-19, even late after the onset of the infection.

There are several pharmacological approaches to manage these symptoms. Nevertheless, there are also natural compounds that could support these therapies in a more integrative meaning.

This synopsis will evaluate the potential of Nutraceutical and Phytotherapeutical Compounds which have promising evidence to alleviate the symptoms of the aforementioned syndrome.

Liposomal Curcumin

Curcumin is extracted from the rhizomes of Turmeric (Curcuma longa). The plant is famous for its miracloues effects for thousands of years. The increasing need for effective anti-inflammatory and anti-tumor molecules had brought this famous ingredient in the spotlight.

There are countless clinical trials proving the strong anti-inflammatory effect of curcumin. More recent data suggest a mode of action which addresses NF-kB (Nuclear Factor kappa B) as the main target. NF-kB is considered as the first trigger that starts the inflammation. An active compound that can lower this trigger without shooting a bullet is priceless. Once NF-kB is inhibited the cascade of Inflammatory Cytokines is inhibited as well.

• 

Since almost all viral respiratory infections could cause cytokine storms, several studies had investigated the potential of Curcumin in preventing these cytokine storms. In 1999 Abe et al. had published a paper that showed the inhibitory effect of curcumin on cytokines in lung cells. A similar result was obtained in 2015 by Sordillo et al who had proved that curcumin suppresses Cytokine storms in Ebola and other viral diseases. Nevertheless, the later Author had also emphasized that the low Bioavailability of Curcumin is a major limitation for its therapeutic use.

Liposomal Curcumin is a brilliant solution overcome this problem. Curesupport’s liposomal Curcumin has proved to be approx. 17 times more bioavailable than conventional Curcumin.

Thanks to this cutting-edge technology we can provide Curcumin in therapeutic levels into the bloodstream.

Regarding the strong anti-inflammatory effects and the superior liposomal technology we can consider Liposomal Curcumin as a strong Nutraceutical Support in managing Cytokine Storms in COVID and post-COVID patients.

Liposomal Quercetin

As before mentioned cytokine storms can lead to damaged alveoli which might lead to scar tissues (Fibrins) within the lung. This is also one of the longest lasting symptoms of post-COVID patients. Quercetin looks like a very promising flavonoid in preventing these fibrous tissues. Quercetin is particularly rich in broccoli, onion, and apple. As matter-of-fact Quercetin possesses anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-carcinogenic activities. But there is an overwhelming number of clinical papers indicating its effectiveness in the management of allergies and allergic asthma. The main reason for this is that amongst all effects Quercetin has also anti-histaminic effects that favor a use in allergies.

The additional relaxation of the airways provides another benefit for patients who suffer from allergic asthma. But even before the COVID-19 pandemic researchers had investigated Quercetin’s potential in preventing lung fibrosis. According to several statistics lung fibrosis develops in almost 40% of COVID-19 patients. We should also remember that Computer Tomography proves the infection by identifying these fibrous tissues in the lungs. 10 years before the Pandemic begun a clinical trial investigated Quercetin’s potential in inhibiting Lung Fibrosis which was induced by the chemotherapeutic agent Bleomycin. Of particular interest was the fact that the investigators had used liposomal Quercetin for this purpose. This is due to the fact Quercetin, similar like Curcumin, has a very low bioavailability, which could be overcome by Liposomal Technology.

If we take a look at the results of this trial we can see that Quercetin has significantrly decreased the amount of Proinflammatory cytokines.

Based on these data it is obvious that Quercetin has the potential to prevent lung fibrosis in COVID and post-COVID patients. A recent paper published in 2021 has considered Quercetin as a strong therapeutic option to manage the excessive inflammatory reaction and protect the lungs.

Additionally, to all of it beneficiary effects in modulating the inflammatory response, a paper published in 2021 has evaluated the potential role of quercetin in COVID-disease. The authors had emphasized the potential of Quercetin in inhibiting the docking of SARS2-COVID-19 viruses on cells, resulting in a significant capability to interfere with SARS2-COVID-19 replication.

All of these data suggest that Liposomal Quercetin is potential candidate in reducing the duplication of the SARS2-COVID1-19 virus and preventing an excessive inflammatory response which might lead to the most severe COVID-19 comorbidity, lung fibrosis.

Liposomal Resveratrol

Resveratrol is very well known for its major role in the so called “French Paradox”. Nowadays we know that Resveratrol is capable to activate Sirtuin enzymes, whereas, the Sirtuin1 (SIRT1) this enzyme is responsible for the longevity of the cells. Several studies had proved that this mechanism is also the major portion of Resveratrol’s Cardio-protective effect.

We can summarize the effects of SIRT1 like following; slows the aging of the cells, protects against stress, regulates cellular energy pathways and is responsible for the circadian rhythms of our metabolism.

Off course, like Curcumin and Quercetin, as a flavonoid Resveratrol possesses antiinflammatory, antioxidant and anticarcinogen effects as well. But the efficacy in protecting Cardiovascular health is overwhelming.

The Cardiovascular benefit of Resveratrol includes the protection of vascular endothelia, maintaining vascular flexibility and the antioxidant effects against lipid peroxidation within the vessels. The antioxidant effects of Resveratrol are of particular interest since the oxidation of the lipid plaque is the first trigger in arteriosclerotic patients.

Summarizing the Cardio-protective, Vaso-protective and Antioxidant effects of Resveratrol has been a main topic to investigate its use vasculitis due to COVID-19 infections.

Resveratrol has strong inhibitory effects on protein that could trigger the formation of vascular clots, and Endothelium protecting effects. Putting all these aspects together it is obvious that Resveratrol should be considered as a valuable pharmaco-therapeutic agent in protecting patient against COVID-19 vasculitis. As matter of fact the use of Resveratrol in Kawasaki’s Disease has been evaluated by Huang et al in 2017. Kawasaki Syndrome has been witnessed in pediatric COVID-19 patients. They concluded that Resveratrol may modulate the inflammatory response of coronary artery in Kawasaki’s Disease and explore the role of autophagy in the pathogenesis and alternative therapy for coronary arterial lesions in Kawasaki’s Disease.

Unfortunately, the low bioavailability of Resveratrol limits its potential use. Therefore, to obtain maximum benefits from resveratrol it is obvious that liposomal formulations should be preferred.

Liposomal CoenzymQ10

The only reason why we breath is need for Oxygen of each individual cell to produce Energy. Oxidative respiration is the Energy Cycle which is used by human cells to produce ATP (Adenosine triphosphate), which is our main energy molecule. CoenzymeQ10 (aka Ubiquinone, Ubiquinole) plays a major role in the electron transfer, which is the main chain reaction in synthesizing ATP. To maintain healthy levels of cellular energy we have to remind followings:

• Health Coenzyme Q10 Levels
• Healthy Mitochondria
• Health Cells
• Healthy Body

Several clinical papers indicate a destruction of these energy producing pathways in post respiratory infection patients which might lead to exhaustion and fatigue in those patients. We should remember that the SARS2-COVID19 virus is considered as respiratory tract infection. Everything what is valid for other Respiratory Tract Infections like exhaustion and fatigue are valid for COVID-19 infections as well. Because viruses duplicate themselves in respiratory epithelial cells and leave these cells by destructing them. The excess death of respiratory cells lowers the Oxygen supply, to compensate this loss we have promote residual cells to work more efficiently in synthesizing ATP.

Unfortunately, the amount of ConenzymeQ10 declines with age; thus, it is a significant importance to increase the amount of CozenzymeQ10 in elderly patients.

Summarizing CoenzymeQ10:

• Oxidative Respiration is the only source in providing Vital Energy for our cells and CoenzymeQ10 plays a major role in these pathways.
• Respiratory Tract Infections can damage cells and destruct our energy terminals.
• Residual cells should work perfect to compensate the loss of Energy, particularly healthy CoenzymeQ10 levels must be maintained.
• Unfortunately, we witness the loss of CoenzymeQ10 by age and respiratory tract infections.
• Thus, it is obvious that supplementation of CoenzymeQ10 in all types of Respiratory Tract Infections looks like a very rational and attractive approach to prevent fatigue.

Nevertheless, CoenzymeQ10 has also serious bioavailability problems. A clinical paper evaluating the bioavailability of CoenzymeQ10 has shown that a liposomal form of CoenzymeQ10 is nine-fold more bioavailable than conventional CoenzymeQ10.

References:

1. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33609255/
2. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/coronavirus/in-depth/coronavirus-long-term-effects/art-20490351#:~:text=rates%20by%20state-,COVID%2D19%20(coronavirus)%3A%20Long%2Dterm%20effects,completely%20within%20a%20few%20weeks.
3. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17999464/
4. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26189369/
5. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10051376/
6. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25600522/
7. Data On File Liposomal Curcumin Bioavailability Curesupport BV
8. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5214562/
9. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23873842/
10. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0019570720302134
11. https://journal-inflammation.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12950-021-00268-6
12. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/ptr.6887
13. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20837050/
14. https://www.ingentaconnect.com/contentone/asp/jnn/2018/00000018/00000006/art00013
15. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28069066/
16. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33562030/
17. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6304320/
18. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4341326/
19. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29190857/