Review: use of Nigella sativa along with exercise training to prophylaxis and treatment COVID-19

COVID-19 has been recognized as pandemic by the world health organization (WHO) since March 11, 2020. COVID-19 causes inflammation in the lung tissue, which is usually accompanied by symptoms such as dry cough, chest pain, fever, and difficulty breathing. Simultaneously with the involvement of lung tissue, the immune system usually reacts to fight the virus. It is stated that in COVID-19, changes in patients’ immune systems are more similar. Strengthening the immune system and inhibiting COVID-19 receptors can play a preventive or even therapeutic role for this disease. Nigella sativa (N. sativa) is one of the herbal medicines to possess numerous pharmacological effects related to several organs of the body. The recent studies have shown that N. sativa at the cellular level can inhibit COVID-19 receptors. It was also stated that performing regular exercise training (especially moderate-intensity exercise training) can modulate the immune system and have an anti-inflammatory effect. Therefore, this review assessed the hypothesis of the potential role of N. sativa supplementation with physical activity in the prophylaxis and treatment of COVID-19.

Shirvani H, Rostamkhani F, Arabzadeh E, Mohammadi F, Mohammadi F. Potential role of Nigella sativa supplementation with physical activity in prophylaxis and treatment of COVID-19: a contemporary review. Sport Sci Health. 2021 May 28:1-6. doi: 10.1007/s11332-021-00787-y. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 34093778; PMCID: PMC8162633.

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