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Repurposing calcium channel blockers as antiviral drugs

Vijayashree Priyadharsini Jayaseelan1, Arumugam Paramasivam2

  • 1BRULAC-DRC, Saveetha Dental College & Hospital, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences [SIMATS], Saveetha University, Poonamallee High Road, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, 600077, India. vijayashreej.sdc@saveetha.com.

Journal of Cell Communication and Signaling
|August 21, 2020
PubMed

Insights

Calcium channel blockers may offer a novel therapeutic strategy against SARS-CoV-2. Inhibiting cellular calcium entry could impede the virus lifecycle, presenting a potential treatment for COVID-19.

Area of Science:

  • Virology
  • Pharmacology
  • Cell Biology

Background:

  • The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic necessitates urgent therapeutic interventions.
  • Evidence suggests viral lifecycles can be disrupted by inhibiting cellular calcium entry.
  • Calcium channel blockers have a long history of research in viral inhibition.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore the potential of calcium channel blockers as a treatment for COVID-19.
  • To analyze scientific literature supporting the role of calcium in viral replication.
  • To discuss two studies converging on calcium modulation for viral containment.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing scientific literature on calcium channels and viral infections.
  • Analysis of experimental data linking calcium influx to viral lifecycle.
  • Commentary on two specific research papers (Fang et al., Straus et al.).

Main Results:

  • Inhibiting calcium entry into cells shows potential to disrupt viral replication.
  • Calcium channel blockers represent a promising therapeutic avenue for viral infections.
  • Two distinct studies suggest a unified approach to COVID-19 treatment.

Conclusions:

  • Calcium channel blockers warrant further investigation as a COVID-19 treatment.
  • Modulating cellular calcium is a viable strategy for antiviral therapy.
  • Targeting calcium entry presents a promising direction for pandemic preparedness.
Keywords:
CCBCalcium channelsCalcium homeostasisSARsVerapamilVirus

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