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Plausible mechanisms of Niclosamide as an antiviral agent against COVID-19

Sai Kiran S S Pindiprolu1, Sai Harshini Pindiprolu2

  • 1School of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies, JNTUK, Kakinada, India.

Medical Hypotheses
|May 4, 2020
PubMed

Insights

The COVID-19 pandemic necessitates new treatments. This study explores niclosamide, an existing anti-helminthic drug, as a potential antiviral therapy against the novel coronavirus, investigating its therapeutic mechanisms.

Area of Science:

  • Virology
  • Pharmacology
  • Drug Discovery

Background:

  • The COVID-19 pandemic presents a significant global health crisis with a high mortality rate.
  • Traditional novel drug discovery is hampered by high costs, slow progression, and significant attrition rates.
  • Drug repurposing offers a promising alternative for identifying effective treatments for emerging diseases.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the potential of niclosamide (NIC) as an antiviral therapeutic agent against COVID-19.
  • To explore the underlying antiviral mechanisms through which NIC may combat SARS-CoV-2 infection.
  • To evaluate the feasibility of repurposing an established anti-helminthic drug for a viral pandemic.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review and analysis of existing data on niclosamide's antiviral properties.
  • Hypothesizing potential molecular targets and pathways affected by niclosamide relevant to SARS-CoV-2.
  • Comparative analysis of niclosamide's known mechanisms with COVID-19 pathophysiology.

Main Results:

  • Niclosamide exhibits diverse antiviral mechanisms demonstrated in previous studies.
  • The drug's known properties suggest potential efficacy against viral entry, replication, and host inflammatory responses.
  • Hypothesized mechanisms include interference with viral RNA and host cell pathways crucial for SARS-CoV-2.

Conclusions:

  • Niclosamide is a potential candidate for drug repurposing in the treatment of COVID-19.
  • Further research and clinical trials are warranted to validate niclosamide's efficacy and safety against SARS-CoV-2.
  • Drug repurposing of niclosamide could accelerate the availability of effective COVID-19 therapies.
Keywords:
COVID-19Drug discoveryNiclosamideRepurposingSARS-CoV-2

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