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Published on: November 5, 2021
Several FDA-Approved Drugs Effectively Inhibit SARS-CoV-2 Infection in vitro
Hua-Long Xiong1, Jia-Li Cao1,2, Chen-Guang Shen3,4
1State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics, National Institute of Diagnostics and Vaccine Development in Infectious Diseases, School of Life Sciences and School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China.
Researchers identified four FDA-approved drugs, including Clomiphene, Vortioxetine, and Asenapine, with potent COVID-19 inhibitory effects. Combining these drugs showed significantly enhanced efficacy against SARS-CoV-2.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Pharmacology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- The COVID-19 pandemic necessitates the urgent identification of effective therapeutic agents.
- Repurposing FDA-approved drugs offers a faster route to potential treatments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To screen a library of FDA-approved drugs for activity against SARS-CoV-2.
- To identify novel antiviral candidates for COVID-19 treatment.
Main Methods:
- A high-throughput pseudovirus assay was employed to evaluate 1403 FDA-approved drugs.
- Promising candidates were further validated using authentic SARS-CoV-2 in cell-based assays.
- Drug combinations were assessed for synergistic antiviral effects.
Main Results:
- Four compounds, Clomiphene (citrate), Vortioxetine, Vortioxetine (hydrobromide), and Asenapine (hydrochloride), demonstrated significant inhibitory activity against SARS-CoV-2 in both assay types.
- A combination of Clomiphene (citrate), Vortioxetine, and Asenapine (hydrochloride) exhibited potent synergistic antiviral effects, with a combined IC50 of 0.34 μM.
Conclusions:
- Clomiphene, Vortioxetine, and Asenapine are potential repurposed drugs for COVID-19 treatment.
- Drug combinations may offer a more effective therapeutic strategy against SARS-CoV-2 infection.
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