Combining nano-curcumin with catechin improves COVID-19-infected patient's inflammatory conditions

• Published in: Human immunology 2023-09, Vol.84 (9), p.471-483
• Main Author: Ahmad Merza Mohammad, Talar
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Catechin; Catechin - metabolism; Catechin - pharmacology; Catechin - therapeutic use; Combinational therapy; COVID-19; COVID-19 - metabolism; Curcumin - metabolism; Curcumin - pharmacology; Curcumin - therapeutic use; Cytokines - metabolism; Humans; Inflammation; Nano-curcumin; T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory - metabolism; Th17 Cells - metabolism; Transcription Factors - metabolism; Transcription Factors - pharmacology
• ISSN: 0198-8859; 1879-1166
• DOI: 10.1016/j.humimm.2023.05.003

A hyperinflammatory condition is brought on by the development of Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), which is characterized by an elevation of T helper (Th) 17 cells, high levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, and a depletion of regulatory T (Treg) cells. In this research, we examined the effect of nano-curcumin and catechin on the TCD4+, TCD8+, Th17, and Treg cells and their associated factors in COVID-19 patients. For this purpose, 160 (50 patients excluded during the study) COVID-19 patients were divided into four groups: placebo, nano-curcumin, catechin, and nano-curcumin + catechin. The frequency of TCD4+, TCD8+, Th17, and Treg cells, the gene expression of transcription factors (STAT3, RORt, and FoxP3) relevant to Th17 and Treg, as well as the serum levels of cytokines (IL-6, IL17, IL1-b, IL-10, and TGF-), were all evaluated intra- and inter-group, before and after treatment, in all groups. Our study showed that TCD4 + and TCD8 + cells were significantly higher in the nano-curcumin + catechin group compared to the control group, whereas Th17 was lower than the initial value. Furthermore, compared to the placebo-received group, cytokines and transcription factors associated with Th17 were significantly lower in the nano-curcumin + catechin group. Additionally, combined therapy increased Treg cells and transcription factors compared to the placebo group. Overall, our results show that combining nano-curcumin with catechin has a more notable impact on the enhancement of TCD4+, TCD8+, and Treg cells, as well as a decrease in Th17 cells and their mediators, suggesting a promising combination therapy in reducing the inflammatory conditions of COVID-19 infected patients.