About this Research Topic

Background

Beginning in December 2019, the world saw the rise and rapid spread of the COVID-19 disease, which eventually became a global pandemic. The first wave and second waves were very severe, causing widespread mortality. Subsequent waves - the third and fourth waves - though not as severe, have also seen fatalities. The development of vaccines and improved knowledge greatly contributed to the reduction in severity and fatality. However, a new problem has emerged. One of the characteristic features of COVID-19 disease was hyper-inflammation. This hyper-inflammation involved multiple inflammatory pathways and was characterized by elevated levels of cytokines, promoting coagulation dysfunction, causing tissue damage, sepsis and organ failure. It has been well established that this was one of the mechanisms the causative agent of COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2 exploited. The widespread, uncontrolled inflammation was the major cause of disease severity and mortality and a chief reason that anti-inflammatory drugs such as corticosteroids and monoclonal antibodies targeting signaling pathways formed a major part of the treatment of COVID-19.

As the pandemic gradually recedes, its after-effects are being observed. Heart and kidney disease, gastrointestinal and neurological issues are being reported to name a few. An important underlying condition has been detected- multisystem inflammatory syndrome (MIS). In this condition, the hyperinflammation observed during the COVID-19 disease remains unresolved. The body is unable to address this hyperinflammation appropriately after the COVID-19 disease subsides. As a result, the body does not return to its former state, as it was before the SARS-CoV-2 infection. There is still a residual level of inflammation and inflammatory cytokines, and the body remains in an inflammatory state. This may explain the sudden deaths due to cardiac arrests observed in numerous COVID-19 patients after initial recovery. Many COVID-19 patients also develop acute kidney disease and, in some cases, suffer renal failure after their initial recovery. The neurological issues and gastrointestinal disturbances also can be traced back to this inflammatory state.

The anti-inflammatory activity of many medicinal plants has been well established. Different traditional systems of medicine, including traditional Indian medicine (TIM), traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), traditional African medicine (TAM), and ancient Persian medicine use these anti-inflammatory plants, extracts, and formulations for the treatment of disease. Some of these medicinal plants with known anti-inflammatory activity may also form a part of the diet; including turmeric, cumin, fenugreek, ginger, and garlic. Nutrition also plays a key role in the inflammatory state of the body. Some foods may promote inflammation while others can help reduce inflammation. During COVID-19 disease, in some countries, the traditional systems of medicine were employed in conjunction with the regular treatment protocols prescribed by standard agencies (the WHO and respective government agencies). Dietary interventions such as diets rich in anti-inflammatory components and the use of supplements were another facet of the treatment of COVID-19.

Data science and machine learning are important tools that help in the prediction and risk mitigation of the occurrence of disease. Several studies using data science and machine learning to predict the occurrence and severity of COVID-19 were attempted. Additionally, the different immunological signatures observed during inflammation can be used to predict the likelihood of a patient developing multisystem inflammatory syndrome, post-COVID-19.

With this being an interdisciplinary research topic, we invite contributions from researchers and colleagues, focusing particularly on the multisystem inflammatory syndrome observed post-COVID-19, the role of ethnopharmacology, nutrition and diet for mitigation, and data science for prediction.

Specific themes include:

• Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children and adults post COVID-19.

• Medicinal plants, extracts, and formulations as anti-inflammatory agents that can help reduce inflammation.

• Nutritional and dietary modifications that influence inflammation and inflammatory state of the body.

• Role of data science in the prediction of the possible occurrence of multisystem inflammatory syndrome post COVID-19.

All the manuscripts submitted to the collection will need to fully comply with the Four Pillars of Best Practice in Ethnopharmacology (you can freely download the full version here).). We also expect that the MS follow the standards established in the ConPhyMP statement Front. Pharmacol. 13:953205.

Keywords: Multisystem inflammatory syndrome, COVID-19, Natural products, Medical plants, Nutrition, Prediction tools, Health data science

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.

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