ABSTRACT
Coronavirus disease outbreak caused a severe public health burden all over the world. Salinomycin (SAL) is a broad-spectrum antibiotic that had drawn attention in selective targeting of cancer and viral infections. Recent drug screen identified SAL as a potent antiviral agent against SARS-CoV-2. In this hypothesis, we discuss the potential of pulmonary delivery of SAL using nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs) against SARS-CoV-2.
Subject(s)
Antiviral Agents/administration & dosage , Coronavirus Infections/drug therapy , Drug Carriers , Lipids/chemistry , Nanostructures/chemistry , Pneumonia, Viral/drug therapy , Pyrans/administration & dosage , Betacoronavirus , COVID-19 , Drug Repositioning , Endocytosis , Humans , Lung/drug effects , Pandemics , RNA, Viral , SARS-CoV-2 , COVID-19 Drug TreatmentABSTRACT
Corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic caused 18 440 deaths world wide as of 25 March 2020 and posing a serious threat to public health. There is a need, therefore, for effective therapeutic strategies to cure this disease. However, high attrition rates, substantial costs and slow pace are the major limitations of novel drug discovery. Drug repurposing, by employing 'old' drugs to treat 'new' diseases is an attractive approach in drug discovery. Niclosamide (NIC) is an approved anti-helminthic drug with diverse antiviral mechanisms. In this work we hypothesize, the potential antiviral mechanisms of NIC against COVID-19.