Recent Evidence-based Treatments for COVID-19: A Review

ABSTRACT

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is a pandemic disease caused by SARS-COV-2 that primarily attacks the respiratory system of the host. This disease was first reported in early December 2019, and the World Health Organization (WHO) classified the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak as a pandemic disease-causing global public health emergency by mid-January 2020. The human-to-human transmission occurs by droplets, infected hands, or surfaces with an in-cubation time of 2-14 days. It displays signs and symptoms, and if the disease progresses, it leads to death. To avoid symptomatic symptoms or increase infection severity, early diagnosis, quarantine, and supportive care can help to cure the patient infected with COVID-19. Several attempts have been projected for the development of vaccines against COVID-19. As of July 2, 2021, 600 vaccine candidates worldwide were evaluated against SARS-CoV-2, of which 300 have reached the preclinical stage of their development. Presently, Moderna (mRNA-1273), Shenzhen Geno-Immune Medical Institute (LV-SMENP-DC), Shenzhen Geno-Immune Medical Institute (Pathogen specific APC), CanSino Biologicals (Ad5-nCoV), Inovio Pharmaceuti-cals (INO-4800) have plunged into the phase I/II clinical trials (Source ClinicalTrials.gov web-site;WHO). Scientists are increasingly seeking a key hide behind pathogenic pathways, epide-miological features, and future drug goals, which will lead to the development of successful strategies for prevention and treatment. Based on the current published data, we summarize the structure, life cycle of SARS-CoV-2 and the various product categories available as anti-COVID-19 agents (antiviral), with special emphasis on Chinese herbal medicines, which were licensed as anti-COVID agents by the Chinese Government. Such knowledge can be used as guidelines for COVID-19 clinical therapy. © 2023 Bentham Science Publishers.