Role of nutraceuticals as immunomodulators to combat viruses

Epidemics and pandemics have always been pulling down on human existence. Currently, we are facing the pandemic of COVID-19 caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. The existing treatment options for this virus affecting the respiratory tract fall short. Such viruses take advantage of their evolutionary benefit of evading the host immune responses to establish infection in the host. Thus, a patent immune system of the host is a must to tackle such infections. A vigilant immune system will identify the virus cells present in the host and try to contain the infection from spreading to other parts of the body by phagocytosing it with the help of specialized cells like macrophages, neutrophils, dendritic cells, etc. Antigen presenting cells present the viral peptides to the cytotoxic T cells to initiate the cascade of events leading to the formation of antibodies against the virus and clearing of the infection from the body. Viruses interfere with both the innate and adaptive immune responses to circumvent the host immunity. Evading the antigen presentation and molecular mimicry to subdue the cytokines are some of the mechanisms exhibited by viruses. Effective recuperation of health needs a “healthy” immune system and for this the most effective way is to utilize the plethora of chemical entities belonging to the nutraceuticals. Vast researches undergoing in the field of nutraceuticals adds sufficient evidence on their antiviral properties. This wisdom helps to use nutraceuticals as adjunctive therapies along with the conventional treatment regimes.