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Published on: November 5, 2021
Drug treatment options for the 2019-new coronavirus (2019-nCoV)
Hongzhou Lu1,2,3
1Scientific Research Center, Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
Abstract:
As of January 22, 2020, a total of 571 cases of the 2019-new coronavirus (2019-nCoV) have been reported in 25 provinces (districts and cities) in China. At present, there is no vaccine or antiviral treatment for human and animal coronavirus, so that identifying the drug treatment options as soon as possible is critical for the response to the 2019-nCoV outbreak. Three general methods, which include existing broad-spectrum antiviral drugs using standard assays, screening of a chemical library containing many existing compounds or databases, and the redevelopment of new specific drugs based on the genome and biophysical understanding of individual coronaviruses, are used to discover the potential antiviral treatment of human pathogen coronavirus. Lopinavir /Ritonavir, Nucleoside analogues, Neuraminidase inhibitors, Remdesivir, peptide (EK1), abidol, RNA synthesis inhibitors (such as TDF, 3TC), anti-inflammatory drugs (such as hormones and other molecules), Chinese traditional medicine, such ShuFengJieDu Capsules and Lianhuaqingwen Capsule, could be the drug treatment options for 2019-nCoV. However, the efficacy and safety of these drugs for 2019- nCoV still need to be further confirmed by clinical experiments.
Insights
Identifying effective drug treatments for the 2019-new coronavirus (2019-nCoV) is critical. Potential options include existing antivirals, traditional Chinese medicine, and new drug development, but clinical validation is essential.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Infectious Diseases
- Pharmacology
Background:
- The 2019-new coronavirus (2019-nCoV) outbreak necessitates urgent identification of effective treatments.
- No specific vaccines or antiviral therapies are currently available for human coronavirus infections.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify potential drug treatment options for the 2019-nCoV outbreak.
- To explore various methodologies for discovering antiviral treatments against human coronaviruses.
Main Methods:
- Reviewing existing broad-spectrum antiviral drugs through standard assays.
- Screening chemical libraries and databases for potential compounds.
- Developing new drugs based on genomic and biophysical data of coronaviruses.
Main Results:
- Several drug classes were identified as potential treatments: Lopinavir/Ritonavir, Nucleoside analogues, Neuraminidase inhibitors, Remdesivir, peptide (EK1), abidol, RNA synthesis inhibitors (TDF, 3TC), and anti-inflammatory drugs.
- Chinese traditional medicines like ShuFengJieDu Capsules and Lianhuaqingwen Capsule were also considered.
- The efficacy and safety of these potential treatments for 2019-nCoV require further clinical confirmation.
Conclusions:
- A range of existing and novel therapeutic strategies show promise for treating 2019-nCoV.
- Clinical trials are crucial to validate the effectiveness and safety of these drug candidates.
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