Can Selenium Reduce the Susceptibility and Severity of SARS-CoV-2?—A Comprehensive Review

The SARS-CoV-2 infection is a highly contagious viral infection, which has claimed millions of lives in the last two years. The infection can cause acute respiratory distress, myocarditis, and systemic inflammatory response in severe cases. The interaction of the viral spike protein with the angiotensin-converting enzyme in various tissues causes damage to vital organs and tissues, leading to complications in the post-infection period. Vaccines and antiviral drugs have improved patient response to the infection, but the long-term effect on vital organs is still unknown. Investigations are now focused on supportive nutrient therapies, which can mitigate the susceptibility as well as the long-term complications of COVID-19. Selenium is one such micronutrient that plays a vital role in preventing oxidative stress induced by the virus. Further, selenium is important for effective immune response, controlling systemic inflammation, and maintain overall health of humans. We examine the role of selenium in various aspects of SARS-CoV-2 infection and address the importance of selenium supplementation in reducing the susceptibility and severity of infection in this review

Super Fruit Amla (<i>Emblica officinalis</i>, Gaertn) in Diabetes Management and Ensuing Complications: A Concise Review

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a chronic metabolic disease showing an exponential increase in its prevalence all over the world. High blood glucose level is one of the main clinical signs of the disease. Although several classes of drugs are available for treatment, their prolonged use and adverse effects behoove the use of alternative medicine. Plant-derived natural products have multifaceted beneficial roles in human pathophysiology. Plant metabolites like tannins, organic acids, polyphenols, terpenes, and flavonoids show multiple mechanisms of action against diabetes. The fruits of Emblica officinalis (EOF), also known as Indian gooseberry (amla), contain several phytochemicals, potentially having anti-diabetic activity. Hydrolyzable tannins are the major bioactive components of the amla fruit, the most abundant hydrolyzable tannin being β-glucogallin. The present review summarizes the mechanism of action and clinical evidence for the beneficial effects of EOF on T2DM and its associated complications

Pros and cons of CLA consumption: an insight from clinical evidences

This comprehensive review critically evaluates whether supposed health benefits propounded upon human consumption of conjugated linoleic acids (CLAs) are clinically proven or not. With a general introduction on the chemistry of CLA, major clinical evidences pertaining to intervention strategies, body composition, cardio-vascular health, immunity, asthma, cancer and diabetes are evaluated. Supposed adverse effects such as oxidative stress, insulin resistance, irritation of intestinal tract and milk fat depression are also examined. It seems that no consistent result was observed even in similar studies conducted at different laboratories, this may be due to variations in age, gender, racial and geographical disparities, coupled with type and dose of CLA supplemented. Thus, supposed promising results reported in mechanistic and pre-clinical studies cannot be extrapolated with humans, mainly due to the lack of inconsistency in analyses, prolonged intervention studies, follow-up studies and international co-ordination of concerted studies. Briefly, clinical evidences accumulated thus far show that CLA is not eliciting significantly promising and consistent health effects so as to uphold it as neither a functional nor a medical food.This item is part of the UA Faculty Publications collection. For more information this item or other items in the UA Campus Repository, contact the University of Arizona Libraries at [email protected]