Fluoxetine Can Inhibit SARS-CoV-2 In Vitro

Area of Science:

• Virology
• Pharmacology
• Infectious Diseases

Background:

• The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic poses significant global health and economic challenges.
• Existing drugs are being explored for repurposing as SARS-CoV-2 inhibitors.
• Fluoxetine (FLX), a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, has shown in vitro and in vivo activity against other RNA viruses like Coxsackieviruses B.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the in vitro antiviral activity of Fluoxetine (FLX) against SARS-CoV-2.
• To evaluate FLX's potential to inhibit SARS-CoV-2 replication in an acute infection model.

Main Methods:

• SARS-CoV-2 infected Vero E6 cells were treated with 10 μM of Fluoxetine (FLX).
• Cytopathic effects were assessed.
• Levels of infectious viral particles in the supernatant were measured up to day 3 post-infection.

Main Results:

• FLX treatment prevented virus-induced cytopathic effects in infected Vero E6 cells.
• The concentration of infectious SARS-CoV-2 particles in the supernatant was significantly reduced compared to controls.
• Viral particle levels were below the limit of detection by day 3 post-infection when FLX was administered pre- or co-inoculation.

Conclusions:

• Fluoxetine (FLX) exhibits in vitro inhibitory activity against SARS-CoV-2.
• Further research is necessary to explore FLX's therapeutic potential for SARS-CoV-2 infections and related diseases.
• Understanding the antiviral mechanism of FLX could lead to novel treatment strategies.