This article was previously published on May 11, 2020 and has been updated with new information.
Part of what makes COVID-19 such a deadly disease in extreme cases is that it can trigger a cytokine storm response that leads to sepsis, organ failure, and death.
I have written several articles discussing the many natural supplements known to inactivate viruses, quell inflammation, and modulate inflammation. Examples include vitamin C, melatonin and licorice root. You can find them all on my Coronavirus Resource Page.
Blocking Cytokine Storm is paramount
Most recently, newspaperfirst “COVID-19: Potential of the naturally-derived microalgae Astaxanthin as an adjunct adjunct in mitigating Cytokine Storm,” published April 21, 2020, on the SSRN research library website, mentions the use of astaxanthin, a potent antioxidant supplement derived from microalgae. According to the authors:
“There is good evidence, preclinical evidence of efficacy, and evidence of safety for long-term use for other indications to justify the possible use of natural astaxanthin as an adjuvant in combination with Primary antiviral therapy will greatly benefit COVID-19 patients by improving their health and reducing recovery time…
Clinically, natural astaxanthin has shown diverse benefits with excellent safety and is reported to prevent oxidative DNA damage, reduce C-reactive protein (CRP) and biomarkers other inflammation. Previous studies reported that natural astaxanthin has positive effects in alleviating cytokine storm, acute lung injury, acute respiratory syndrome, etc.
Current insights based on accumulating evidence suggest that SARS-CoV-2 induces a potential amplified inflammatory response to ALI sequential consequences. [acute lung injury], ADVANCED RESPIRATORY SYMPTOMS [acute respiratory distress syndrome] leads to severe, life-threatening consequences due to potential septic shock with elevated expression of genes involved in inflammation along with inevitable secondary infection, rather than an increased viral load…
Attenuation of the cytokine storm by targeting key steps in the process can result in improved outcomes… Shi et al. proposes a two-stage approach to potential treatments for COVID-19 patients: the first stage of immunity-based protection for non-severe COVID-19 cases, and the second, inflammatory lesion phase for critically ill COVID-19 patients.
Zhang et al. presented a critical review… stating that suppressing the cytokine storm at the right time after initiating anti-inflammatory therapy is crucial for reducing mortality. … A wide range of antioxidants in the form of supplements will provide the opportunity for a quick recovery for the patient by reducing the side effects of the treatment. “
Rationale for the use of Astaxanthin
The astaxanthin journal cites research showing that astaxanthin “may play key roles in the regulation of immunity and disease etiology” thanks to its multifaceted activity. It is not only a potent antioxidant but also an immune-enhancing, anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, immunomodulatory, antibacterial and anti-apoptotic agent. In terms of antioxidant capacity, it is said to be the most powerful available. As noted in the astaxanthin article:2
“The antioxidant activity of astaxanthin is reported to far exceed that of existing antioxidants with 6,000 times more ROS than vitamin C, 800 times more coenzyme Q10, 550 times more vitamin E, 200 times that of polyphenols, 150 times that of anthocyanins and 75 times that of α-Lipoic acid.”
Importantly, as explained in this paper, astaxanthin has a very unique molecular structure that allows it to penetrate the bilayer membranes of cells. Its ability to quench reactive oxygen species (ROS) and free radicals in both the inner and outer layers of the cell membrane allows it to provide superior protection against oxidative stress, compared with antioxidants. other chemical.
For example, vitamin E and beta-carotene only work on the inside of the membrane, and vitamin C only on the outside.3 More:
“The antioxidant effects of astaxanthin cooperate with its anti-inflammatory activities by up-regulating antioxidant enzymes (eg, superoxide dismutase) and down-regulating pro-oxidant enzymes (eg, nitric oxide). synthetase).
Astaxanthin is also known to protect pancreatic beta cells by reducing oxidative stress and sugar toxicity, improving adiponectin and HDL levels, and enhancing blood flow and circulation,” said Dr. The authors added:
“A growing body of evidence indicates that dysregulation of cytokines in acute inflammation is the single most important step in the regulation, amplification, and prolongation of sepsis or ALI…
Over-release of various pro-inflammatory cytokines mainly including TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β, IL-12 and IL-8 rapidly initiates systemic inflammatory response leading to response simulation. Adaptive immunity and cytokine storms lead to acute cellular injury to form sepsis or ALI.
These observations, together with the currently accumulating evidence regarding COVID-19, clearly suggest that ALI-associated inflammation is associated with ARDS and sepsis.
This ensures that effective antioxidant and anti-inflammatory treatments must be strategically devised to treat COVID-19 patients…
Anti-inflammatory/antioxidant candidates to interfere with cytokine overproduction, including IL6 and TNF-α may represent a promising strategy for the prevention and treatment of ARDS-associated ALI caused by COVID-19 and sepsis. “
According to the authors, astaxanthin may be uniquely suited for this task. Astaxanthin, “with its proven anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity supported by numerous preclinical and human trials and its exceptional safety may be one of the promising candidates.” most promising to be tested against COVID-19,” they said.
How astaxanthin can inhibit SARS-CoV-2 damage
The authors believe that astaxanthin may help mitigate the effects of SARS-CoV-2 infection by:4
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Inhibits nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-kB), a transcriptional signaling pathway involved in the innate immune response. This reduces the M1/M2 macrophage phenotype ratio, an important part of reducing inflammatory cytokine levels. NF-kB is also an inflammatory mediator in acute lung injury, and according to the authors, “Previous studies reported that the anti-inflammatory effects of [astaxanthin] related to the suppression of NFkB activation in ARDS” |
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Inhibition of IL6 production, the main culprit in sepsis, acute lung injury, and ARDS |
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Inhibits TNF-alpha production, reduces levels of several pro-inflammatory cytokines |
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Inhibition of apoptosis (cell death) in alveolar epithelial cells |
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Elevated Sirtuin 1 (SIRT1), according to the authors, “may play an important role in the appropriate regulation of SIRT1 to alleviate lung injury and inflammation” in sepsis-induced acute lung injury. |
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Inhibits Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR 4) signaling pathway, reduces proinflammatory response. As the authors note, “TLRs are a group of pattern-recognition receptors that play an important role in the innate immune system” |
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Reduce swelling of alveolar walls |
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Significant inhibition of alveolar lavage fluid in acute lung injury and suppression of pulmonary edema |
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Reduces alveolar depletion in lung tissue |
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Modulates the immune response by stimulating the proliferation of lymphocytes (a type of white blood cell involved in fighting infections), increasing natural killer cytotoxicity, and increasing the number of T cells and B cells (two key components of your adaptive immune response) |
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Down-regulating NOD receptor-like receptor 3 (NLRP3) – part of your innate immune response during lung infection – and its downstream apoptosis and inflammatory response |
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Reduced C-reactive protein, a marker of inflammation |
The following chart illustrates and summarizes the beneficial effects of astaxanthin and how it can help quell the cytokine storm response that causes sepsis, acute lung injury, ARDS, and multiple organ disorders commonly found in humans. patients with severe COVID-19 illness. According to the authors:
“Taken together, we speculate that the impact of astaxanthin as an adjuvant countermeasure in the treatment of COVID-19 may exert the dual purpose of both antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compounds with beneficial outcomes.” is to reduce mortality and recover quickly…”
Astaxanthin, one of nature’s most powerful antioxidants
In summary, astaxanthin ticks many important boxes when it comes to ameliorating COVID-19, including modulating immune responses and enhancing humoral and cell-mediated immune responses, as well as preserving simultaneously protects against oxidative damage and inflammation.
In addition to its potential to be useful against COVID-19 and other respiratory diseases, astaxanthin has also been shown to provide broad-spectrum, systemic health benefits, protect against radiation, and promote health. skin, eyes, brain and heart. To learn more about this powerful antioxidant, see “Research on Astaxanthin shows significant benefits for the whole body.”
