Vitamin C and its therapeutic potential in the management of COVID19

Abstract

COVID19 has emerged as one of the worst pandemics in the history of mankind. Several vaccines have been approved by different government agencies worldwide, but data on their efficacy and safety are limited, and distribution remains a massive challenge. As per WHO, personal immunity is vital for protection against COVID19. Earlier, Vitamin C-mediated pathways have been shown to play critical role in boosting immunity attributed to its antioxidant properties. Recently, the involvement of such pathways in protection against COVID19 has been suggested. The controlled doses of Vitamin C administered through intravenous (IV) injections are being studied for determining its role in the prognosis of COVID19. In this article, we have discussed the potential role of Vitamin C in the management in COVID19 patients and presented recent clinical trials data. Additionally, we have elaborated the possibility of administering Vitamin C through inhalers in order to achieve local high concentration and the challenges of such approach.

1. Introduction

Since time immemorial, plant leaf extracts, soups, and citrus fruits are being administered for different ailments without much understanding of their mechanism, mode of action, and side-effects [[1], [2], [3], [4]]. Several research efforts have backed up few potential home remedies while contesting the claims of many others [5,6]. Interestingly, citrus fruits have showed potential in prevention and prognosis of minor infections including common cold [7,8]. Studies have shown the potential benefits of administering Vitamin C alongside antiviral treatment especially in vitamin deficient individuals. Recent studies have shown the inhibitory activity of Vitamin C in viral replication, including the replication of SARS-CoV-2 virus [9]. Due to lack of target specific therapeutics, vaccines are widely regarded as the key to overcome the COVID-19 pandemic however due to time constraints in its development, its efficacy and side-effects are still being studied and evaluated [10]. In the light of it, reviewing the role of Vitamin C in plausible prevention and prognosis of COVID19 becomes even more needed. Linus Pauling (recipient of two unshared Nobel Prizes) strongly advocated Vitamin C's role in protection against infection and building immunity of the body [11,12]. However, critics countered that utility of megadose supplementations and pointed out the mode of action was not clear and such dose may only lead to “expensive urine”. The FDA (Food and Drug Administration) recommends 75–90 mg/day of Vitamin C for adults in contrast to Pauling’s mega dose of 1–2 g/day [[13], [14], [15]]. According to the dietary reference intakes (DRIs), dietary recommendation varies with age and gender [16]. Smokers need 35 mg more than the required amount due to oxidative stress. Even though Vitamin C is an essential nutrient, the human body cannot store it. Intake of more than the dietary recommendation of Vitamin C can result in diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, heartburn, abdominal cramps, headache, kidney stone, cardiovascular problems, and insomnia [17]. The amount above the tolerable upper intake level has been proven to cause more harm than benefits. Health hazards due to the intake of excessive amount of Vitamin C have been observed to be more prevalent in people with other health conditions like renal diseases. Absorption of high dosage of Vitamin C can potentially cause oxidative damage and hemolysis in infants. In children and adolescence, side effects like stomach pain, skin rash, headache, nausea, and diarrhea have been reported in different clinical studies [18]. In case of infections, the production of cytokines is triggered as the first line of defense; however, in the severe cases of COVID19, the production of cytokines becomes uncontrolled to the extent that it starts damaging the healthy cells [[19], [20], [21], [22], [23]]. Further, self-damage is intensified by the high levels of free oxidative radicals, which act upon own cells (in lungs) instead of foreign particles like the virus [[24], [25], [26]]. Can Vitamin C be used as a natural anti-oxidant to restrain the harmful effects of oxidative radicals and cytokine storms? We will cover this aspect with an illustration of both benefits and caveats of such administration in this article. Many studies have suggested a correlation between plasma levels of Vitamin C and the subject's oxidative stress levels [[27], [28], [29]]. It is widely accepted that Vitamin C supplementation has positive implications on the prognosis of subjects with acute respiratory distress [30] but the molecular details are not well-understood and the subject requires more investigation. Recently, several clinical trials on the usage of higher dosage of Vitamin C have been concluded. It has been showed that patients administered with 200 mg/kg per day (high dosage, n = 8) and 50 mg/kg per day (low dosage, n = 8) of Vitamin C showed lesser sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) scores as supported by the lower levels of pro-inflammatory markers in comparison to the placebo group (n = 8) under a randomized double blind placebo-controlled study [29,[31], [32], [33], [34], [35]]. Hemelia and Chalker conducted a clinical trial on critical patients with sepsis-induced ARDS (Acute respiratory distress syndrome) (n = 167) for evaluating the effects of Vitamin C (200 mg/kg per day) administered for four days. Though the SOFA scores and levels of such patients' inflammatory markers were similar to the placebo group, it was observed that the 28-day mortality was lower in the treatment group (29.8% versus 46.3%, P-value- 0.03) [36]. Interestingly, in another study, vitamin C and thiamine administration [intravenous vitamin C (50 mg/kg, maximum single dose 3 g) and thiamine (200 mg) in every 12 h for 48 h] did not improvise organ function in comparison to the placebo during early septic shock [37]. Vitamin C administered patients had better survival in intensive care units and were more likely to be discharged from hospitalization [36]. In another study, Vitamin C was administered along with the combination of with/without thiamine and hydrocortisone to the patients with sepsis and pneumonia [[38], [39], [40], [41]]. They reported reduced mortality, lower risk of progression to organ failure, and improved radiographic findings in the treated patients compared to the control. Several ongoing studies are evaluating the role of Vitamin C and its combination with melatonin for treating COVID19 patients [[42], [43], [44]]. The committed timeline for completion of this trial has been claimed to be at the end of December 2021 [45]. The other common complications of COVID19 include lung and cardio pathological related issues due to micro thrombi formation and coagulopathy [46]. The latter conditions were investigated by measuring the D-dimer levels in the blood sample of COVID19 patients (with 30% of FiO2 or more-requirement) [47]. Importantly, a case study has shown the reduction in levels of D-dimer and the decline of capillary plugging and microthrombi formation in subjects administered with Vitamin C (intravenously) [48]. The thrombotic complications of COVID19 patients also implicated the neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) [49]. Interestingly, the administration of Vitamin C attenuated the formation of NETs in the sepsis model [50]. The WHO (World Health Organization) has described several scientific knowledge gaps in the clinical research outcome of the COVID19 pandemic [51]. On the same note, the WHO has highlighted the importance of Vitamin C administration in critically ill patients and elaborated its potential effects on reduction of the duration of mechanical ventilation and the number of days patients stay in ICU (intensive care unit) [36,52]. It has been suggested that the individuals with deficiency of Vitamin C are more susceptible towards the corona virus [53,54]. WHO observed and noted a significant increase in the production of Vitamin C and Remdesivir by the pharmaceutical companies across the world [[55], [56], [57]]. However, no clear indications on consumptions and dosages have been suggested that may lead to the variable dosages being advocated in different countries while benefits of Vitamin C are still being contested. The objective of this article was to review the role of Vitamin C in potential molecular cascades associated with host immune response against COVID19 and to discuss associated clinical trials and their limitations, if any.

2. Vitamin C modulates immune cells, cytokines and cytokine storm

Previously, Vitamin C has been implicated in immune cell differentiation and proliferation [58,59]. It is known to modulate the gene regulation in B- and T-cells [[60], [61], [62], [63]]. Vitamin C deficiency has been shown to weaken immunity and thereby increase the susceptibility to infection [58,64]. Vitamin C exerts its antioxidant effects by acting as an electron donor and protects biomolecules like proteins, lipids, carbohydrates and nucleic acids [65,66]. Vitamin C also acts as a cofactor of enzymes monooxygenase and dioxygenase enzymes which are involved in biosynthesis and gene regulation in immune cells [58,66,67]. During phagocytosis, the Vitamin C has been reported to be depleted in neutrophils which change the balance between oxidants and antioxidants, thus impeding its immune response [58,[68], [69], [70]]. As we discussed before, studies have shown that Vitamin C attenuates the oxidative radical generation and affects NFкB (Nuclear factor kappa B) activation in neutrophils [58,71,72]. Vitamin C regulates redox-related cell signaling cascades by the thiol-containing proteins as they are sensitive to the changes in the redox potential in T cells [58]. It is well known that Vitamin C plays a key role in the T cell development and promotes its maturation [60,62]. It has been also reported that Vitamin C mediates faster regeneration of the natural killer cells [73,74]. In COVID19 patients’, lymphocyte count is not stable, and conditions like leukopenia, leukocytosis, and lymphopenia have been most commonly reported [[75], [76], [77], [78]]. Lymphocyte count in COVID19 patients varies with disease severity [79,80]. In severe cases of COVID19, the reduction in the cell count of CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ receptor cells has been noted in patients [[81], [82], [83]]. The involvement of Vitamin C in the regeneration and maturation of lymphocytes further strengthens the hypothesis for potential of Vitamin C in the treatment/prognosis of COVID19 [[84], [85], [86]]. The first line of defense includes natural killer cells, and once they are activated, it carries out cytotoxic degranulation and produces inflammatory cytokines such as IFNγ (Interferon gamma) and TNFα (Tumour necrosis factor alpha) [[87], [88], [89]]. Interestingly, levels of both IFNγ and TNFα have been reported to be reduced in COVID19 patients [90,91]. Other cytokines and receptors involved in the development of natural killer cells in COVID19 subjects should be further studied.

After infection, the SARS-CoV-2 virus replicates within the host epithelial cell. For this, it uses the biochemical machinery of the host cell. More recently, bacterial second messengers like (p)ppGpp [[92], [93], [94], [95]] have been shown to modulate the transcription of COVID19 genome though the evolutionary link which is not clear. Macrophages and neighboring endothelial and epithelial cells recognize the infected cells and release pro-inflammatory cytokines. These chemokines further recruit monocytes, macrophages, and T cells to the infection site. T cells produce IFNγ and elicit antiviral immune response. CD4⁺ T helper cells interact with the CD8⁺ T cells, mediate cytotoxic response, and kill the infected cells. CD8⁺ T cells directly recognize the viral peptides on infected cell’s surface and mediate apoptosis to prevent the spread of the virus. Additionally, a specialized subset of CD4⁺ T cells called follicular helper T cells induces B cells to produce antibodies by cytokines release through cell–cell interactions [96]. T cell development is a highly controlled process that occursin the thymus, and the mature T cells express either CD4 or CD8 receptor cells corresponding to the T helper cells or T cytotoxic cells (Fig. 1 ). Shah et al. observed that an immature T cell lacks the expression of CD4 and CD8 receptors and called it as “double negative” (DN) cells [97,98]. Kouakanou et al. observed that Vitamin C would enhance the T cell differentiation and proliferation in vitro [59]. It has been observed that Vitamin C is also required to transition double negative precursors to “double positive”cells (DP, CD4⁺/CD8⁺) [60,97,98]. José E. Belizário et al. reported that supplementation of Vitamin C in mice lead to the increase in the number of naive T cells, memory T cells in the spleen, and mature T cells in the thymus [99,100]. In the mousemodel, Th2 (T helper type 2) to Th1 (T helper type 1) immune shift has been observed corresponding to the Vitamin C levels. In 2018 Gwendolyn et al. conducted a study on Vitamin C in the mouse model, which was administered with 2,4,-dinitro-I-fluorobenzene (DNFB), and observed higher levels of Th1 cytokines (TNF-α and IFN-γ) and lower levels of Th2 cytokines (IL-4) [101]. It was noted that Vitamin C mediated the production of CD8⁺ memory T cells and by stimulating cytokines by dendritic cells (DC) in the mouse model. Interestingly, Vitamin C also has a role in the epigenetic regulation, where it acts as a cofactor for ten eleven translocation (TET) family of proteins that has a role in the DNA demethylation in the embryonic stem cells. An in-vitro study has observed an increase in production of IgM antibody in Vitamin C supplemented mice. Another study conducted on guinea pigs showed increased levels of immunoglobulin upon Vitamin C supplementation. Specifically, a direct correlation between Vitamin C concentration and the serum levels of IgG and IgM was observed. W Prinz et al. observed an increased level of IgG antibody in healthy volunteers after administration of Vitamin C for 1 week. The latter study concluded that Vitamin C helps in mediating B cell function [102,103].

Fig. 1.

a, Schematic view of SARS-CoV-2 Infection cycle-The virus particle first binds with the host cell receptor angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor by its spike protein S1 subunit. Virus particle enters into the cytoplasm by acid-dependent proteolytic cleavage of S protein by furin, cathepsin, and transmembrane protease, serine 2 (TMPRSS2). Upon entry into the cytoplasm, virus particles release the genome. Then, the replicase enzyme is translated from the genomic RNA, followed by the assembly of viral replication–transcription complexes. In the cytoplasm, nucleocapsid (N Protein) interacts with hydrophobic M proteins (envelope protein) in the endoplasmic reticulum-Golgi intermediate compartment (ERGIC) and leads to the assembly of the virion. Mature virions bud from the membranes of the ERGIC and released by the exocytic pathway (nsps: non-structural proteins, ER: endoplasmic reticulum; genes represented in blue colour (ACE2) in Fig. 1a are down regulated by Vitamin C [[107], [108], [109]]) [110,111].1b: Schematic view of the potential function of Vitamin C in the state of COVID19 (figure represented has been created with BioRender.com and Microsoft PowerPoint).

Vitamin C mediates inflammation, and it has a role in the regulation of the expression of systemic and leukocyte-derived cytokines. Vitamin C plays a vital role in the neutrophil function and protection against toxicity by superoxides. It affects cell-mediated immune response more than the humoral immune response [104]. Importantly, it has a significant role in the regulation of the synthesis of type 1 interferon during immune response in viral infection. Many ongoing clinical trials are being carried out to determine if Vitamin C's administration as the potential intervention can facilitate treatment or prognosis of COVID19. A study conducted in Quebec, Canada (ClinicalTrials.gov ID NCT04401150) has shown a reduction in mortality and morbidity among patients who have been admitted with COVID19 upon Vitamin C administration. The elevated inflammatory markers lead to cytokine storms, whereas Vitamin C's anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities can counter their effects. The Vitamin C dosage depends on the medical condition, treatment process, patient’s age, and administration route. For reasons described before, the average Vitamin C dosage for treatment is determined by further adjusted by considering several parameters like estimated average requirement (EAR), adequate intake level, tolerable upper intake level (ULs), and the recommended dietary allowance (RDA) [105,106].

3. Vitamin C protects against oxidative radicals

The oxidative damage due to the critical imbalance between free radical generation and antioxidant defenses is not desirable [112]. The oxidative stress usually arises from an imbalance between free radical production and lack of antioxidants, and it is associated with damage to a wide range of molecular species, including lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids [113]. In addition to infections, tissue injury, heart-related injuries, and excessive exercise often lead to short-term oxidative stress. In turn, the damaged tissues produce enzymes such as xanthine oxidase, lipoxygenase, cyclooxygenase, etc., that are capable of producing oxidative radicals [113]. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) have been implicated in the induction and complications of diabetes mellitus, age-related eye disease, and neurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinson’s disease [114]. Vitamin C is an effective water-soluble antioxidant, and numerous studies have reported that it influences phagocytosis and chemotaxis of leukocytes [58,115,116].

Vitamin C acts as an electron donor making it an efficient antioxidant. It inhibits the oxidation of other compounds by donating its electrons and getting oxidized. It acts as a reducing agent and neutralizes ROS [117,118]. Vitamin C is known to neutralize reactive oxygen species involved in human diseases. The relevant species include oxidative radicals such as superoxides and nitrogen-oxygen radicals. The antioxidant properties of vitamin C have been demonstrated in invitro [119]. Several studies have suggested that Vitamin C diminishes the rate and severity of bacterial and viral infections suggesting its physiological role [24]. Considering the above points, we hypothesize that Vitamin C may protect from oxidative radicals generated in COVID19 condition.

3.1. Recent clinical studies on antiviral properties of vitamin C

As discussed in previous sections, Vitamin C has been showed to help in prognosis of viral infections [120]. It has been reported that Vitamin C supplementation improved the immunity of patients with viral infections especially when nutrient-deficient, and thereby increased the survival rate in such patients. Hemilä et al. reported that reduction in the incidence, severity, and duration of the common cold upon supplementation with Vitamin C [121]. In another clinical study by Kim et al., in 2018, patients with Herpes zoster infection when administered with Vitamin C along with acyclovir and analgesics for five days resulted in a significant reduction in postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) and reduction in pain thus confirming its potential when complemented with other drugs [122].

The rapid replication rate of SARS-CoV2 is attributed to the presence of two cysteine proteases; PL-pro, a papain-like protease, and Mpro or 3CLpro where 3C-like protease is the major protease. Most interestingly, in 2021, Malla et al. has reported that l-ascorbate inhibits the 3CLpro in vitro by formation of a complex where Vitamin C binds to the active site of the latter.

They concluded that Vitamin C can be used in the near future as antiviral therapy [123].

3.2. Plausibility of the direct delivery of Vitamin C and the potential application of inhalers

The severe complications of COVID19 include hyper inflammation and increased levels of reactive oxidative species (ROS) in the respiratory system [124]. Vitamin C can be toxic at high dosage [14,15,125]. Therefore, inhalers can be an alternative for achieving immediate local high concentration of Vitamin C (if tested for safety and side-effects) [126,127]. Ivo E Pera et al. filed a patent on a dry powdered inhaler (DPI) method for dispensing antioxidant vitamins [128]. Inhalers can ensure proper assimilation of Vitamin C, unlike the oral and intravenous routes. A high concentration of Vitamin C is required to counter free radical accumulation, and it can be easily achieved through inhalers without any toxic effects [127]. The inhalation method can deliver dry micro-fine Vitamin C powder in a single step. Another mode of dispensing is meter dose inhaler (MDI) delivery. The aerosol is delivered with pressure in Metered Dosage inhaler. The high vapor pressure of the propellant used will give the necessary force to generate aerosol droplets. The particles bigger than 1 μl settle in the bronchioles whereas particles smaller than 0.5 μl are exhaled out. DPI is better than MDI considering the précised dosage and delivery [128]. Though Vitamin C is water soluble and can be excreted out by the body but high dosages through IV injections can still have side-effects [14,15]. Through this article, we hypothesize the usage of inhalers as the instrument of delivery can enable high concentration at the target site while curbing the side-effects.

4. Discussion

In this article, the prospective role of Vitamin C against COVID19 has been highlighted. Its antiviral and antioxidative properties have opened a new window for its potential use for COVID19 treatment and prognosis. The properties of vitamins and their role in COVID19 have been well elaborated in the literature. As described in previous sections, recent studies on Vitamin C's role in prognosis, prevention, and infection of COVID19 are promising. However few clinical trials have also contested the potential use of Vitamin C in treating COVID19. In 2020, Hiedra et al. conducted a clinical study on 17 COVID 19 patients where patients administered with Vitamin C observed a significant decrease in the baseline inflammatory markers in patients who have administered Vitamin C however the sample size was small [9]. A recent clinical study conducted by Thomas et al. on 214 adult COVID19 patients has reported no significant reduction in the duration of symptoms upon administration of Vitamin C with zinc gluconate and alone however standard of care may vary from patient to patient in different population which could be the limitation of the study [129]. Malla et al. showed the inhibition of 3CLpro-major protease that can reduce the replication rate of SARS-CoV2 and suggested its potential use as therapeutic [123]. A recent study on 120 critically ill patients with COVID19 described the potential of vitamin C supplementation in increasing the survival of critically ill patients which is promising, but sample size has been small and the Vitamin C levels were not studied at different time points [130]. Another trial on 237 patients concluded that the treatment of COVID19 with HCQ, AZM, and zinc with high dose vitamin C enable better prognosis [131].

Using a nutrient as a therapeutic is a better remedy as they don’t have to undergo the long process of clinical trials and approvals. It is easier to enforce the individual dietary requirement than producing and distributing a new vaccine. Can Vitamin C help in treatment or prognosis is still not clear. Considering Vitamin C's role in immune response, a worldwide large-scale clinical trial is highly recommended for testing Vitamin C's efficacy. Recent reports have revealed that it helps in enhancing the lung epithelial barrier by inducing the transcriptional expression of the protein channels in the alveolar-capillary membrane [58,132]. We would also like to emphasize on the use of inhalers to achieving a higher concentration of Vitamin C at localized infection sites. Since a high dosage of Vitamin C is also toxic, inhalers can be a solution to this toxicity conundrum. Vitamin C has anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, antioxidant, and antiviral properties. In COVID19, Vitamin C could play a significant role in the downregulation of cytokines for protecting the endothelium from oxidation injury provided it is tested for efficacy and safety in different large clinical trials. Last but not least, we hypothesize that Vitamin C could have an immense potential against COVID19, and it requires the immediate attention of the worldwide scientific fraternity.

Declaration of competing interest

Authors have no conflict to declare.