Fig. 4
From: Bioactive peptides from fermented foods and their relevance in COVID-19 mitigation
A representation of the process of SARS-CoV-2 entry into host cells via lungs, migration to other organs, its pathological consequences on RAS system and presumed activity of ACE inhibitory peptides. COVID-19 virus enters the body via lungs, where the virus binds to ACE2 receptors on cells. The infected cells produce pro-inflammatory cytokines (PICs), activating immunological reactions to combat the viruses. Cell-free and macrophage-phagocytosed viruses migrate to different organs via blood. Infection with SAR-COV-2 leads to downregulation of ACE-II which results in accumulation of vasoconstrictive peptide Angiotensin II, leading to hypertension. The bioactive peptides with ACE inhibitory activity can regulate the functioning of RAS system by inhibiting the activity of ACE-I thereby preventing the formation of Angiotensin II from Angiotensin I