Repurposing Antimalarials to Tackle the COVID-19 Pandemic

Area of Science:

• Pharmacology
• Infectious Diseases
• Immunology

Background:

• Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) causes COVID-19.
• Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is implicated in severe COVID-19 pathogenesis.
• Artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs) possess known antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the potential of ACTs in treating SARS-CoV-2 infections.
• To highlight the anti-inflammatory mechanisms of artemisinins relevant to COVID-19.
• To establish the rationale for clinical investigation of ACTs for COVID-19.

Main Methods:

• In vitro assessment of ACTs against SARS-CoV-2.
• Analysis of artemisinin's effect on IL-6 pathways.
• Review of existing evidence supporting ACT efficacy.

Main Results:

• ACTs demonstrated in vitro inhibition of SARS-CoV-2 replication.
• Artemisinins were shown to inhibit IL-6, a key inflammatory cytokine.
• Evidence supports the potential clinical utility of ACTs for COVID-19.

Conclusions:

• ACTs, including artesunate/pyronaridine, show potential as a COVID-19 treatment.
• The antiviral and anti-inflammatory actions of ACTs are relevant to managing COVID-19.
• Further clinical studies are recommended to validate ACTs for coronavirus disease 2019.