Potential use of Citrus essential oils against acute respiratory syndrome caused by coronavirus

ARENA, MARIO EDUARDO; ALBERTO, MARÍA ROSA; CARTAGENA, ELENA

JOURNAL OF ESSENTIAL OIL RESEARCH

ALLURED PUBL CORP

Año: 2021 p. 1 - 12

1041-2905

The treatments being investigated for the pandemic associated with a severe acute respiratorysyndrome caused by the new coronavirus (SARS-CoV2) aim to inhibit viral replication or inhibitenzymatic elastase in the lung, responsible for the SARS-CoV cell entry mechanism and thepathogenesis of severe pneumonia caused by infection. There is also a need to improve alveolarsurfactant capacity and inhibition of the exacerbated inflammatory response. Current knowledgeallows us to infer that Citrus essential oils could be considered an individual or a complementaryhighly valuable alternative for the viral infection caused by SARS-CoV due to its antiviral activity,particularly against coronavirus, anti-elastase, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and antibiofilmproperties. Furthermore, its proven capacity of biosurfactants, antioxidants, and pain inhibitorswould help to treat acute respiratory syndrome. This review aims to encourage the development ofmore detailed studies on Citrus essential oils as a new multi-objective strategy to treat SARS-CoV2infection.