Fluoxetine inhibits severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 replication in vitro
Yethindra Vityala1, Tugolbai Tagaev2, Elmira Mainazarova3
1Department of Pathology, International Higher School of Medicine, International University of Kyrgyzstan, Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan.
Abstract:
No drugs exist that effectively inhibit the cell entry or genomic replication of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARSCoV2). This study evaluated the effects of fluoxetine on SARSCoV2 replication in vitro. Cytotoxicity of both fluoxetine isomers, as well as their impact on the replication of a clinical SARSCoV2 isolate (strain IHUMI3), was assessed using the human nasal epithelial cells. The fluoxetine isomers exhibited similar activities, each significantly inhibiting SARSCoV2 at a concentration of 0.9 µg/mL. The halfmaximal effective concentration was 0.39 µg/mL for both isomers. Treatment with a concentration of 10 µM of either isomer resulted in a 63.9% reduction in the SARSCoV2 titer. Fluoxetine also decreased viral protein expression. The present study demonstrated that fluoxetine inhibited SARSCoV2 replication in vitro, thus providing initial evidence for its potential therapeutic use against SARSCoV2 infection.
Insights
This study shows fluoxetine significantly inhibits severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) replication in human nasal cells. This provides early evidence for fluoxetine as a potential treatment for SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Pharmacology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- No effective antiviral drugs currently exist for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) cell entry or replication.
- The urgent need for novel therapeutic strategies against SARS-CoV-2 necessitates exploring existing drug compounds.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the in vitro efficacy of fluoxetine in inhibiting SARS-CoV-2 replication.
- To assess the impact of fluoxetine isomers on viral replication in human nasal epithelial cells.
Main Methods:
- Cytotoxicity assays were performed for both fluoxetine isomers.
- The effect of fluoxetine on a clinical SARS-CoV-2 isolate (strain IHUMI3) replication was assessed in human nasal epithelial cells.
- Viral titers and protein expression were measured to determine antiviral activity.
Main Results:
- Fluoxetine isomers demonstrated significant inhibition of SARS-CoV-2 at 0.9 µg/mL, with a half-maximal effective concentration (EC50) of 0.39 µg/mL.
- A 10 µM concentration of either fluoxetine isomer reduced the SARS-CoV-2 titer by 63.9%.
- Fluoxetine treatment led to decreased viral protein expression.
Conclusions:
- Fluoxetine effectively inhibits SARS-CoV-2 replication in vitro.
- These findings suggest fluoxetine as a potential therapeutic agent for managing SARS-CoV-2 infections.
- Further research is warranted to explore the clinical application of fluoxetine against SARS-CoV-2.
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