Repurposing Quinoline and Artemisinin Antimalarials as Therapeutics for SARS-CoV-2: Rationale and Implications

Area of Science:

• Virology
• Pharmacology
• Infectious Diseases

Background:

• The COVID-19 pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2 has led to millions of deaths globally.
• Vaccines are available but face challenges in rollout and public acceptance.
• Effective treatments are crucial for infected individuals, necessitating drug repurposing.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the potential of antimalarial drugs, specifically quinolines and artemisinins, as treatments for SARS-CoV-2.
• To explore the mechanisms by which these drugs may inhibit viral replication and spread.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of studies on quinoline and artemisinin compounds.
• Analysis of their known mechanisms of action, including lysosomotropic effects and pH perturbation.
• Evaluation of in vitro and in vivo efficacy data against SARS-CoV-2.

Main Results:

• Quinolines and artemisinins demonstrate efficacy against SARS-CoV-2 in laboratory and animal studies.
• These drugs interfere with host protease activity required for viral entry.
• They also target the virus's unique cell exit pathway involving lysosomes.

Conclusions:

• Antimalarial drugs like quinolines and artemisinins are viable candidates for repurposing against COVID-19.
• Their established safety profiles and demonstrated efficacy warrant further clinical investigation.
• Targeting viral entry and lysosomal pathways presents a promising therapeutic strategy.