Zinc is being considered as a potential adjuvant therapy in treatment of COVID‑19 on account of its immune modulatory effect and direct antiviral effect

• Zinc deficiency is linked with inflammatory alterations of lung extracellular matrix predisposing to fibrosis.
• This could be of significance considering the presence of interstitial pulmonary fibrosis in COVID‑19 patients.
• Zinc, in combination with Zn ionophore pyrithione, inhibits SARS‑coronavirus RNA polymerase activity by decreasing its replication.
• Increasing intracellular Zn2+ concentration by chloroquine may also mediate its antiviral effect against SARS‑CoV‑2.
• It decreases the activity of ACE2, the receptor for SARS‑CoV‑2.
• It inhibits NF‑κB signaling and modulates regulatory T‑cell functions, thus limiting the cytokine storm in COVID‑19.
• Improved Zn status could potentially reduce the risk of bacterial co‑infection, improve mucociliary clearance and barrier function of the respiratory epithelium.

Source: Int J Mol Med 2020 Apr 14