Possible role of Kolaviron, a Garcinia kola bioflavonoid in inflammation associated COVID-19 infection

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) that belongs to the coronavirus family, remains a pandemic and of public health concern with ascending morbidity and mortality rates worldwide. It continues to affect millions of people despite tremendous social preventive measures and novel vaccines developed recently. The main pathological features of SARS-CoV-2 infection is elevated levels of cytokine release causing “cytokine storm,” an aberrant response from the host immune system that induces an exaggerated release of proinflammatory cytokines/chemokines leading to severe acute respiratory distress syndrome. Subsequent cascade of events causes pneumonia and respiratory failure, touted as a major contributor to COVID-19-associated fatality rates. Therefore, effective therapeutic strategy should center on suppression of inflammation, oxidative stress and modulation of immune response. However, certain drugs developed as antivirals and/or immunomodulators have not been very effective against the disease. Recent investigations involving epidemiological and scientific findings show that plant-based phytochemicals with robust anti-inflammatory and anti-infective properties can prevent and manage COVID-19. Garcinia kola and its bioflavonoid-derived phytochemical known as kolaviron have been shown to be relevant traditionally and experimentally in the management and treatment of diseases including viral infection. The emerging understanding of the cellular and molecular mechanisms of kolaviron and the context of the same for SARS-CoV-2 infections suggests that the antioxidant, immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and antibacterial properties of Kolaviron can have value added benchmark to anchor the development of nutraceuticals and functional foods as adjuncts for COVID-19 management.