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Published on: October 29, 2015
Repositioning antivirals against COVID-19: Synthetic pathways, mechanisms, and therapeutic insights
Aeyaz Ahmad Bhat1, Iqubal Singh2, Arshad Farid3
1School of Chemical Engineering and Physical Sciences, Lovely Professional University, Phagwara, 144411, India.
Abstract:
The pandemic of COVID-19 has ignited a global race to locate effective therapies with drug repositioning emerging as a leading strategy due to its cost-effectiveness and established safety profiles. Remdesivir, Favipiravir, Hydroxychloroquine, and Chloroquine have been the focus of rigorous clinical trials to determine their therapeutic potential against SARS-CoV-2. This article delves into the innovative synthetic strategies behind these drugs, providing a blueprint for researchers navigating the complex landscape of antiviral development. Beyond synthesis, we explore the fascinating mechanisms of action: hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine elevate lysosomal pH to impede autophagy and viral replication; favipiravir, a nucleoside analogue, induces lethal mutagenesis or RNA chain termination and remdesivir disrupts viral RNA synthesis through delayed chain termination. By merging synthetic methodologies with mechanistic insights, this article offers a comprehensive resource aimed at accelerating the development of potent COVID-19 therapies and underscores the crucial part that chemistry in addressing global health emergencies. It also underscores the vital function of chemistry in addressing global health emergencies and highlights how innovative drug design and repurposing can provide rapid responses to emerging infectious diseases. This fusion of chemistry and virology not only advances our understanding of drug action but also paves the way for the discovery of new therapeutic agents crucial in future pandemics.
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