Immunomodulatory role of Nanocurcumin in COVID-19 patients with dropped natural killer cells frequency and function

Highlights

• Nanocurcumin could significantly increase the frequency and cytotoxicity of NK cell in COVID-19 patients.

• Nanocurcumin could remarkably enhance the expression levels of activating receptors of NK cells in COVID-19 patients.

• Nanocurcumin could notably reduce the expression levels of inhibitory receptors of NK cells in COVID-19 patients.

• Nanocurcumin could meaningfully decline the serum levels of IL-1, IL-6, TNF-, and C5a in COVID-19 patients.

• Nanocurcumin would be a potent therapeutic agent in SARS-CoV2 infection by augmenting the NK cell responses.

Abstract

The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic is still a challenging problem in the case of infection treatment. The immunomodulatory effect of Nanocurcumin was investigated in the present study in an attempt to counterbalance the immune response and improve the patients' clinical symptoms. 60 confirmed COVID-19 patients and 60 healthy controls enrolled in the study. COVID-19 patients were divided into Nanocurcumin and placebo received groups. Due to the importance of the role of NK cells in this disease, the frequency, cytotoxicity, receptor gene expression of NK cells, and serum secretion levels of inflammatory cytokines IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, as well as circulating C5a as a chemotactic factor an inflammatory mediator was evaluated by flow cytometry, real-time PCR and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in both experimental groups before and after the intervention. Given the role of measured factors in the progression and pathogenesis of COVID-19 disease, the results can help find appropriate treatments. The results of this study indicated that the Nanocurcumin could significantly increase the frequency and function of NK cells compared to the placebo-treated group. As an immunomodulatory agent, Nanocurcumin may be a helpful choice to improve NK cell function in COVID-19 patients and improve the clinical outcome of patients.