Quercetin and Zinc Ionophore Activity: Studies and Review 2021
Zinc is a mineral element needed to regulate adaptive immune cells' functions. Higher level of intracellular zinc showed to increase intracellular pH; which affect on RNA-dependent RNA polymerase and decrease replication mechanism of RNA viruses. Therefore, drugs that described as zinc ionophores could be used with zinc supplement to act as antiviral against many RNA viruses including SARS-CoV-2. Quercetin is natural compound act as zinc ionophore to cause zinc influx intracellular. Quercetin is a safe natural anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory polyphenolic compound that found in various natural sources include onion, red grapes, honey and citrus fruits. It was shown that quercetin has the ability to chelate zinc ions and act as zinc ionophore. Therefore, quercetin could have antiviral activity against many RNA viruses . Quercetin, a flavonoid found in fruits and vegetables, has unique biological properties that may improve mental/physical performance and reduce infection risk. As