Probiotics in Prevention and Treatment of COVID-19: Current Perspective and Future Prospects

Kurian, Shilia Jacob; Unnikrishnan, Mazhuvancherry Kesavan; Miraj, Sonal Sekhar; Bagchi, Debasis; Banerjee, Mithu; Reddy, B Shrikar; Rodrigues, Gabriel Sunil; Manu, Mohan K; Saravu, Kavitha; Mukhopadhyay, Chiranjay; Rao, Mahadev

Saving lives and flattening the curve are the foremost priorities during the ongoing pandemic spread of SARS-CoV-2. Developing cutting-edge technology and collating available evidence would support frontline health teams. Nutritional adequacy improves general health and immunity to prevent and assuage infections. This review aims to outline the potential role of probiotics in fighting the COVID-19 by covering recent evidence on the association between microbiota, probiotics, and COVID-19, the role of probiotics as an immune-modulator and antiviral agent. The high basic reproduction number (R0) of SARS-CoV-2, absence of conclusive remedies, and the pleiotropic effect of probiotics in fighting influenza and other coronaviruses together favour probiotics supplements. However, further support from preclinical and clinical studies and reviews outlining the role of probiotics in COVID-19 are critical. Results are awaited from many ongoing clinical trials investigating the benefits of probiotics in COVID-19.