Lectins Are the Sparkle of Hope for Combating Coronaviruses and the Global COVID 19

Abstract

Today the crisis of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic represents a threat worldwide because it is a leading cause of human morbidity and mortality. Besides, it possesses a destroying impact on countries’ economies. Therefore, there is an urgent need for hard research work and global collaboration to find a potential therapy. In this review, structural genomic variations in COVID 19 and further therapeutic options of Coronaviridae family or COVID 19 are expressed. Lectins are natural proteins, which can exist in algae, higher plants, banana, actinomycetes, fungi, and archaea, and they have antiviral properties. Griffithsin lectin, isolated from red algae, has noteworthy efficacy against lethal SARS-CoV infection, human coronaviruses, and other animal coronaviruses. Furthermore, all mannose-specific plant lectins have anti-coronaviruses properties except for garlic lectins. However, lectins from mushrooms can act as immunomodulators by activating T-lymphocyte or stimulating dendrites or cytokines. The lectin may hinder glucans on viral spike protein and prevent entry and the virus's release. Lectin's anti-coronavirus activities include a glimmer of hope to tackle the global COVID 19 crisis and inspire more scientific work on carbohydrate-binding agents against SARS-CoV-2.