Current strategies against COVID-19


Abstract

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) recently was declared a pandemic by world health organization (WHO) Due to sudden outbreaks, currently, no completely effective vaccine or drug is clinically approved. Several therapeutic strategies can be envisaged to prevent further mortality and morbidity. Based on the past contribution of traditional Chinese medicines (TCM) and immune-based therapies as a treatment option in crucial pathogen outbreaks, we aimed to summarize potential therapeutic strategies that could be helpful to stop further spread of SARS-CoV-2 by effecting its structural components or modulation of immune responses. Several TCM with or without modification could be effective against the structural protein, enzymes, and nucleic acid should be tested from available libraries or to identify their immune-stimulatory activities to enhance several antiviral biological agents for effective elimination of SARS-CoV-2 from the host. TCM is not only effective in the direct inhibition of virus attachment and internalization in a cell but can also prevent their replication and can also help to boost up host immune response. Immune-modulatory effects of TCMs may lead to new medications and can guide us for the scientific validity of drug development. Besides, we also summarized the effective therapies in clinical for controlling inflammation. This review will be not only helpful for the current situation of COVID-19, but can also play a major role in such epidemics in the future.

Keywords: COVID-19; Immune-therapy; Therapeutic strategies; Traditional Chinese medicines.

Conflict of interest statement

Competing interestsThe authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.

Figures

Fig.?1
Fig.?1
Generic representation of candidate drug targets and selection for in vitro and in vivo studies of SARS-CoV-2
Fig.?2
Fig.?2
Therapeutic agents can interfere to inhibit SARS-CoV-2 life cycle by targeting the replication process
Fig.?3
Fig.?3
Inhibitory mechanism of antibody (CR3022) on SARS-CoV-2 attachment to ACE-2 receptor
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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