An outbreak of a novel coronavirus (COVID-19 or 2019-CoV) infection has posed significant threats to international health and the economy. In the absence of treatment for this virus, there is an urgent need to find alternative methods to control the spread of disease. Here, we have conducted an online search for all treatment options related to coronavirus infections as well as some RNA-virus infection and we have found that general treatments, coronavirus-specific treatments, and antiviral treatments should be useful in fighting COVID-19. We suggest that the nutritional status of each infected patient should be evaluated before the administration of general treatments and the current children's RNA-virus vaccines including influenza vaccine should be immunized for uninfected people and health care workers. In addition, convalescent plasma should be given to COVID-19 patients if it is available. In conclusion, we suggest that all the potential interventions be implemented to control the emerging COVID-19 if the infection is uncontrollable.

Polysaccharide has been widely used in medical and health field because of its function of immune regulation. The aim of present study was to use protein chip to test the 200 cytokines secreted by macrophages which were induced by the polysaccharides of Tricholoma matsutake (TMP-A) to study the role of TMP-A acting on macrophages and its mechanism, further understanding the mechanism of the TMP-A effect on immune activity. The results of the analysis indicated that among all of these cytokines, including IL-1β, IL-10, IL-23, TNF-α, CD40L, G-CSF, etc. there are 73 up-regulated and 43 down-regulated cytokines. The KEGG analysis indicated that T. matsutake polysaccharide can influence the immune response of macrophages through a series of signaling pathways, and the three major signaling pathways are Jak-STAT signaling pathway, PI3K-Akt signaling pathway and NF-kappa B signaling pathway. Those three signaling pathway are closely related to the pathogenesis of many diseases. The results showed that TMP-A can activate immune cells to regulate the immunity.

OBJECTIVES:Because red ginseng and vitamin C have immunomodulatory function and anti-viral effect, we investigated whether red ginseng and vitamin C synergistically regulate immune cell function and suppress viral infection.

METHODS:Red ginseng and vitamin C were treated to human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) or sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV)-infected BCBL-1, and administrated to Gulo(-/-) mice, which are incapable of synthesizing vitamin C, with or without influenza A virus/H1N1 infection.

KEY FINDINGS:Red ginseng and vitamin C increased the expression of CD25 and CD69 of PBMCs and natural killer (NK) cells. Co-treatment of them decreased cell viability and lytic gene expression in BCBL-1. In Gulo(-/-) mice, red ginseng and vitamin C increased the expression of NKp46, a natural cytotoxic receptor of NK cells and interferon (IFN)-γ production. Influenza infection decreased the survival rate, and increased inflammation and viral plaque accumulation in the lungs of vitamin C-depleted Gulo(-/-) mice, which were remarkably reduced by red ginseng and vitamin C supplementation.

CONCLUSIONS:Administration of red ginseng and vitamin C enhanced the activation of immune cells like T and NK cells, and repressed the progress of viral lytic cycle. It also reduced lung inflammation caused by viral infection, which consequently increased the survival rate.

Beta-glucan (-glucan) is a macromolecule structure where glucose unit has bonded through-glycosidic bond at 1 and 3 positions. It is well known as a natural immunomodulator without exhibiting any side effects via enhancing immunity. Mushroom contains a large amount of-glucan and it has anticancerous and antioxidant efficacy. Structure and physical properties of-glucan are highly influenced by the types of mushroom. In particular,has-1, 3 and-1, 6 bonds in their structure. It has been noted that-glucan content also depends upon the size of mushroom particles. The exact content of-glucan and their immunological activity by a particle size ofhave yet to be fully elucidated. Herein,-glucan contents were analyzed according to the particle size of leaf mushroom followed by cell activation and immunoactivity analysis. The highest-glucan content was observed at a particle size of 20-30m (27.65± 0.30 w/w). All samples showed ~ 103% cell activation compared to the control and greater cell activity was observed at higher concentration. The significant increase in cytokines secretion was observed in the presence of 20-30m particle size ofcompared to the control. This study suggested that 20-30m size is the suitable size ofthat can be used as a health supplement and food additive to act as an immune booster, hypotensive agent, and hypoglycemic agent.

Polysaccharides were extracted from Schizophyllum commune (a common mushroom) and their structural and immune-enhancing properties were investigated. Crude and fractions (Fand F) were composed of sugars (50.3-82.8%), proteins (1.46-20.1%), and sulfates (1.33-7.01%). Monosaccharide compositions of Cr and Fwere mainly composed of glucose (75.5% and 88.2%) with small amounts of mannose, galactose and xylose whereas the Fwas mainly composed of manose (55.2%) with minor amounts of galactose, glucose, and xylose. Their immune-enhancing activities were tested using RAW264.7 cells. Proliferation activity of RAW264.7 cells was over 100% after treatment with these polysaccharides. In addition, RAW264.7 cells produced large amounts of nitric oxide and various cytokines by up-regulating mRNA expression levels and the activation of nuclear factor-kappa (NF-κB) and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) after treatment with these polysaccharides. In addition, RAW264.7 cells were activated mainly through CR-3 and TLR-4 receptors. The backbone of Fwith excellent immune-enhancing activity was mainly linked by (1→3)-linked-mannopyranosyl and (1→2,3)-linked-mannopyranosyl residues.