The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‑19) outbreak was caused by infection with the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‑CoV‑2). The clinical outcomes of elderly individuals and those with underlying diseases affected by COVID‑19 are serious, and may result in acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and even mortality.

Currently, the clinical treatments for COVID‑19 mostly involve symptom alleviation measures and non‑specific broad spectrum antiviral drugs, as highly effective antiviral drugs and vaccines are not yet available. Lactoferrin (LF) is a safe iron‑binding glycoprotein that is present in the milk of the majority of mammals and exhibits broad‑spectrum antiviral activity, including against coronaviruses.

In addition, LF also exhibits anti‑inflammatory, anti‑infective and immune‑regulating properties, which are in line with the treatment requirements for SARS‑CoV‑2 infection. Therefore, the use of LF may be of value in the prevention and/or management of COVID‑19.

The aim of the present review was to summarize the previous reports on the antiviral properties of LF and compare these with the characteristics of SARS‑CoV‑2 infection, in order to determine whether LF could be used to assist in the prevention of COVID‑19 and to investigate the possible underlying mechanisms governing its mode of action.

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