Inhaled route and anti-inflammatory action of ivermectin: Do they hold promise in fighting against COVID-19?
Med Hypotheses
; 146: 110364, 2021 Jan.
Article
in English
| MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-909135
ABSTRACT
In an effort to curb the global pandemic due to coronavirus, the scientific community is exploring various treatment strategies with a special emphasis on drug repurposing. Ivermectin, an anti-helminthic drug is also being proposed for treatment and prevention of COVID-19. Ivermectin has demonstrated broad spectrum antiviral activity against both DNA and RNA viruses. Due to its potential to interfere with transport of SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid protein to nucleus, it is being proposed to have antiviral activity against this virus as well which has been confirmed in an in-vitro study. However, in-vitro to in-vivo extrapolation studies indicate an inability to achieve the desired IC50 levels of ivermectin after oral administration of doses up to 10 times higher than the approved anti-helminthic dose. In a modelling simulation study, drug accumulation in the lungs was noticed at levels having potential antiviral activity. It is hypothesised that inhaled formulation of ivermectin may be effective against SARS-CoV-2. Therefore, ivermectin administered via inhalational route needs to be explored for potential beneficial role in COVID-19 in preclinical and clinical studies. We also hypothesise the possibility of drug having anti-inflammatory action in coronavirus associated severe respiratory illness based on few in-vitro and in-vivo reports which however needs to be confirmed clinically.
Keywords
Full text:
Available
Collection:
International databases
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Ivermectin
/
Drug Repositioning
/
Pandemics
/
SARS-CoV-2
/
COVID-19 Drug Treatment
/
Anti-Inflammatory Agents
/
Models, Biological
Type of study:
Prognostic study
Limits:
Humans
Language:
English
Journal:
Med Hypotheses
Year:
2021
Document Type:
Article
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