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Could Histamine H1 Receptor Antagonists Be Used for Treating COVID-19?
Changbo Qu1,2, Gwenny M Fuhler3, Yihang Pan1
1Tomas Lindahl Nobel Laureate Laboratory, Precision Medicine Research Center, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen 518107, China.
Insights
Histamine H1 receptor antagonists show promise in treating COVID-19 by reducing lung inflammation and limiting SARS-CoV-2 infection. Further research explores their antiviral mechanisms and clinical applications.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Pharmacology
- Immunology
Background:
- COVID-19 pandemic necessitates novel therapeutic strategies.
- Severe COVID-19 is characterized by detrimental lung inflammation.
- Histamine H1 receptor antagonists are established allergy medications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the emerging role of H1 receptor antagonists in combating SARS-CoV-2.
- To elucidate potential antiviral mechanisms of H1 receptor antagonists against SARS-CoV-2.
- To discuss the opportunities and challenges of using H1 receptor antagonists for COVID-19 management.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies on H1 receptor antagonists and SARS-CoV-2.
- Analysis of proposed antiviral mechanisms.
- Discussion of clinical implications and future research directions.
Main Results:
- H1 receptor antagonists demonstrate potential as anti-SARS-CoV-2 agents.
- These drugs may mitigate lung inflammation associated with severe COVID-19.
- Emerging evidence suggests therapeutic benefits beyond allergy treatment.
Conclusions:
- H1 receptor antagonists represent a promising avenue for COVID-19 therapy.
- Understanding their antiviral mechanisms is crucial for clinical application.
- Further investigation is warranted to optimize their use in managing COVID-19 patients.
Abstract:
COVID-19 has rapidly become a pandemic worldwide, causing extensive and long-term health issues. There is an urgent need to identify therapies that limit SARS-CoV-2 infection and improve the outcome of COVID-19 patients. Unbalanced lung inflammation is a common feature in severe COVID-19 patients; therefore, reducing lung inflammation can undoubtedly benefit the clinical manifestations. Histamine H1 receptor (H1 receptor) antagonists are widely prescribed medications to treat allergic diseases, while recently it has emerged that they show significant promise as anti-SARS-CoV-2 agents. Here, we briefly summarize the novel use of H1 receptor antagonists in combating SARS-CoV-2 infection. We also describe the potential antiviral mechanisms of H1 receptor antagonists on SARS-CoV-2. Finally, the opportunities and challenges of the use of H1 receptor antagonists in managing COVID-19 are discussed.
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