Vol. 6, Issue 1, Part A (2024)

Background: Provide an analytical description of the current evidence regarding the potential anti-inflammatory and antioxidant capabilities N-acetylcysteine and its role in depressing the oxidative and inflammatory processes in COVID-19 cases. 
Materials and Methods: Systematic review targeted the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory roles with keywords like "NAC," "COVID-19," "inflammation" "oxidative stress," and "inflammation" to examine recent studies on role of NAC in mitigating oxidative and inflammatory process in somevCOVID-19 cases. 
Results: NAC is a molecule of great complexity, possessing a duality in its antioxidant mechanism. It possesses the remarkable ability to counteract the deleterious effects of free radicals, while also acting as a source of cysteine, thereby restoring the body's natural equilibrium of glutathione. Those afflicted with severe cases of COVID-19 often display heightened levels of reactive oxygen species and free radicals, accompanied by a depletion of glutathione, which ultimately triggers a violent cytokine storm. NAC, renowned for its pivotal role as a precursor to GSH within cellular structures, is presently being employed in a myriad of conditions in order to combat the depletion of GSH, and has been duly recognized for its safety. Furthermore, it is worth noting that NAC possesses independent anti-inflammatory properties that are inextricably intertwined with its inherent antioxidant capabilities. 
Conclusions: Both clinical and experimental data indicate that NAC is of beneficial to fight the inflammatory, oxidative process and may help reduce prothrombotic state mechanisms observed in severe COVID-19 cases.