Therapeutic approaches for SARS-CoV-2 infection

Methods. 2021 Nov:195:29-43. doi: 10.1016/j.ymeth.2021.04.026. Epub 2021 May 5.

Abstract

Therapeutic approaches to COVID-19 treatment require appropriate inhibitors to target crucial proteins of SARS-CoV-2 replication machinery. It's been approximately 12 months since the pandemic started, yet no known specific drugs are available. However, research progresses with time in terms of high throughput virtual screening (HTVS) and rational design of repurposed, novel synthetic and natural products discovery by understanding the viral life cycle, immuno-pathological and clinical outcomes in patients based on host's nutritional, metabolic, and lifestyle status. Further, complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) approaches have also improved resiliency and immune responses. In this article, we summarize all the therapeutic antiviral strategies for COVID-19 drug discovery including computer aided virtual screening, repurposed drugs, immunomodulators, vaccines, plasma therapy, various adjunct therapies, and phage technology to unravel insightful mechanistic pathways of targeting SARS-CoV-2 and host's intrinsic, innate immunity at multiple checkpoints that aid in the containment of the disease.

Keywords: Antiviral; COVID-19; Immunomodulators; Immunopathology; Polyherbal; Therapeutics.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adrenal Cortex Hormones / administration & dosage*
  • Animals
  • Antiviral Agents / administration & dosage*
  • COVID-19 / immunology*
  • COVID-19 / prevention & control
  • COVID-19 Drug Treatment*
  • COVID-19 Vaccines / administration & dosage*
  • Drug Discovery / methods
  • Drug Discovery / trends*
  • High-Throughput Screening Assays / methods
  • High-Throughput Screening Assays / trends
  • Humans
  • Immunity, Innate / drug effects
  • Immunity, Innate / immunology
  • Interferon alpha-2 / administration & dosage
  • Interleukin-6 / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Interleukin-6 / immunology

Substances

  • Adrenal Cortex Hormones
  • Antiviral Agents
  • COVID-19 Vaccines
  • Interferon alpha-2
  • Interleukin-6