Metal-based complexes against SARS-CoV-2

Area of Science:

• Chemistry
• Pharmacology
• Infectious Diseases

Background:

• Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) emerged in 2019, causing a global pandemic with over 5 million deaths by January 2022.
• Despite vaccination efforts, the pandemic persists with ongoing viral mutations, necessitating continuous research into effective treatments.
• Current research focuses on developing novel antiviral drugs, with a growing interest in metal-based therapeutics to manage severe COVID-19 cases.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the therapeutic applications of metal drugs.
• To highlight metal-based compounds of significant interest for the current COVID-19 pandemic.
• To examine potential mechanisms of action and effectiveness of these metal drugs against SARS-CoV-2.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of existing research on metal drugs in therapeutics.
• Identification and discussion of specific metal-based compounds relevant to COVID-19.
• Analysis of proposed mechanisms of action and evidence for antiviral activity.

Main Results:

• Metal drugs represent a promising area of research for antiviral therapies.
• Several metal-based compounds exhibit potential efficacy against SARS-CoV-2.
• Mechanisms of action include interference with viral replication and modulation of host immune responses.

Conclusions:

• Metal drugs offer a viable alternative or complementary strategy to traditional small molecule drugs for COVID-19 treatment.
• Further research into metal-based therapeutics could lead to new treatments for severe COVID-19 and future viral outbreaks.
• The exploration of metal drugs is crucial for combating the ongoing SARS-CoV-2 pandemic and enhancing critical care options.