Is Marine ω-3 Long Chain Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids Intake, Natural Remedial Measure for Combating Global COVID-19 Pandemic? A Mini-Review

Abstract

COVID-19 is considered as the most public health emergency of international concern and global scientific research is on fast track to reduce the rise of epidemic curves. Marine natural bioactive molecules have been the starting point for the discovery of the most important drugs. The marine oils rich in ω-3 long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (ω - 3 LCPUFAs), especially, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) are well known to exert promising human healthcare benefits such as cardioprotective, antilipidemic, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, antiaging, antihypertensive, antidepression and antiarthritic properties. Interestingly, the immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory potential of ω - 3 LCPUFAs is capable of attenuating some of the COVID-19 mediated pathophysiological abnormalities through inhibition of proinflammatory processes. Understanding the basic mechanism of action of ω - 3 LCPUFAs on pathophysiological conditions associated with COVID - 19 may help address the pandemic related healthcare complications. Classical mechanism of action of ω - 3 LCPUFAs in exhibiting anti-inflammatory properties is probably through counteraction of nuclear factor - kB activation, which is a transcription factor potentially involved in COVID-19 mediated of proinflammatory cytokine production. Also, dietary ω -3 LCPUFAs intake is well known to activate generation of resolvins and protectin, which in turn can suppress COVID-19 associated inflammation responses. Considering the beneficial actions of dietary intake of ω - 3 LCPUFAs rich marine oils, this mini-review elaborates the physiologic and metabolic influences of ω -3 LCPUFAs on COVID-19 induced pathophysiological aberrations with relevance to their biochemical and molecular functions.