Antiviral potential of zinc ion: mechanisms and applications in viral infections.

Zinc ion (Zn2+) is essential bioactive constituent in food and plays a multifaceted role in modulating antiviral activities against various viruses including retroviruses, picornaviruses, herpesviruses, coronaviruses, and hepatitis viruses. This review synthesizes existing literature highlighting the diverse antiviral properties of Zn2+ and its viable application as an adjunct rather than monotherapeutic agent in viral infections. We outline three principal mechanisms through which Zn2+ exerts its antiviral effects: direct interaction with viral proteins, interference with viral genetic replication processes, and modulation of host cellular environments to hinder viral replication. We further elaborate on the physiological role of Zn2+ in human nutrition, its dietary intake pathways, and the influence of nutritional zinc status on the antiviral efficacy of Zn2+. This establishes a crucial connection between dietary zinc homeostasis and the host's antiviral defense. Future research directions should focus on elucidating the complex interplay between Zn2+ and viral dynamics, assessing zinc's geographical and age-related distribution in relation to viral infections, and developing clinical strategies to enhance Zn2+ efficacy against a broader range of viruses. This review is essential for advancing our understanding of zinc's role in food chemistry and its critical contributions to human health and antiviral defense mechanisms.