With no slowing down of COVID-19 pandemic as indicated by 18 million confirmed cases including 0.69 million deaths worldwide as of August 4, 2020 (https://covid19.who.int/), researchers are seeking ways in which to potentially protect people from the SARS-CoV-2 or to alleviate its effects once caught. One such means is Zn therapy in addition to other antiviral drugs. Zn is well tolerated and it is best known for its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, and antiviral activities, the latter possibly mediated by its ability to inhibit RNA virus RdRp [51], thus protecting the body’s cells and tissues from viral infection, oxidative damage, and dysfunction. Based on the current knowledge of beneficial and harmful effects of Zn (Fig. ​(Fig.1),1), it can be safely concluded that risk to reward ratio is in favor of Zn supplementation in COVID-19. However, the clinical and preclinical data on this aspect is very scanty now and results of current clinical trials employing Zn in COVID-19 can somehow shed more light on the efficacy of Zn against viral infections in vivo. The investigators of the different studies hope to complete the trials in the near future.

Basic and experimental research is still at infancy stage with regard to antiviral mechanisms, clinical benefits, and optimal dose of Zn supplementation as a therapeutic treatment as well as a preventative measure for viral infections including SARS-CoV-2.

Read more: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7580816/