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Known drugs and small molecules in the battle for COVID-19 treatment
1Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA, USA.
Abstract:
COVID-19 has been declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization on March 11th and since then more than 3 million cases and a quarter million deaths have occurred due to it. The urge to find a resultful treatment or cure is now pressing more than any other time since the outbreak of the pandemic. Researchers all over the world from different fields of expertise are trying to find the most suitable drugs, that are already known to treat other diseases, and could tackle the process of SARS-CoV2 through which it invades and replicates in human cells. Here, we discuss five of the most promising drugs that can potentially play a major role in the treatment of COVID-19. While nicotine and ivermectin may be blocking transport abilities of the virus or its components, famotidine, remdesivir and chloroquine in combination with zinc ions can deactivate important enzymes needed for the replication of the virus. While clinical trials for some of these drugs have already started, it is common knowledge that lack of organization between countries, institutes and hospitals might slow down the whole process for an official treatment based in wide, randomized, placebo controlled trials.
Insights
Researchers are investigating five promising drugs, including nicotine, ivermectin, famotidine, remdesivir, and chloroquine with zinc, as potential treatments for COVID-19 by inhibiting viral replication and entry.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Pharmacology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- The COVID-19 pandemic, caused by SARS-CoV-2, has led to millions of cases and deaths globally.
- There is an urgent need for effective treatments to combat the virus.
- Repurposing existing drugs is a key strategy in accelerating therapeutic development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify and discuss promising drugs with the potential to treat COVID-19.
- To explore the mechanisms by which these drugs may inhibit SARS-CoV-2.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing research on potential COVID-19 therapeutic agents.
- Analysis of proposed mechanisms of action for selected drugs against SARS-CoV-2.
- Identification of drugs being investigated in clinical trials.
Main Results:
- Five drugs show promise: nicotine, ivermectin, famotidine, remdesivir, and chloroquine in combination with zinc ions.
- Nicotine and ivermectin may inhibit viral transport.
- Famotidine, remdesivir, and chloroquine/zinc may inhibit viral replication enzymes.
Conclusions:
- These five drugs represent potential therapeutic options for COVID-19.
- Further clinical trials are necessary to establish efficacy and safety.
- International collaboration is crucial to expedite the drug development process.