scholarly journals Synergistic Interferon-Alpha-Based Combinations for Treatment of SARS-CoV-2 and Other Viral Infections

Viruses ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (12) ◽  
pp. 2489
Author(s):  
Aleksandr Ianevski ◽  
Rouan Yao ◽  
Eva Zusinaite ◽  
Laura Sandra Lello ◽  
Sainan Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Protein Synthesis ◽  
Side Effects ◽  
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ◽  
Viral Infections ◽  
Therapeutic Potential ◽  
Clinical Development ◽  
Rna Transcription ◽  
Synthesis And Processing ◽  
Synergistic Combinations

Background: There is an urgent need for new antivirals with powerful therapeutic potential and tolerable side effects. Methods: Here, we tested the antiviral properties of interferons (IFNs), alone and with other drugs in vitro. Results: While IFNs alone were insufficient to completely abolish replication of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), IFNα, in combination with remdesivir, EIDD-2801, camostat, cycloheximide, or convalescent serum, proved to be more effective. Transcriptome and metabolomic analyses revealed that the IFNα–remdesivir combination suppressed SARS-CoV-2-mediated changes in Calu-3 cells and lung organoids, although it altered the homeostasis of uninfected cells and organoids. We also demonstrated that IFNα combinations with sofosbuvir, telaprevir, NITD008, ribavirin, pimodivir, or lamivudine were effective against HCV, HEV, FLuAV, or HIV at lower concentrations, compared to monotherapies. Conclusions: Altogether, our results indicated that IFNα can be combined with drugs that affect viral RNA transcription, protein synthesis, and processing to make synergistic combinations that can be attractive targets for further pre-clinical and clinical development against emerging and re-emerging viral infections.

scholarly journals Polymeric Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles for Enhanced Delivery of 5-Fluorouracil In Vitro

Pharmaceutics ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 288 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thashini Moodley ◽  
Moganavelli Singh
Keyword(s):  
Side Effects ◽  
Mesoporous Silica ◽  
Silica Nanoparticles ◽  
Therapeutic Potential ◽  
Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles ◽  
Drug Loading ◽  
Hek293 Cells ◽  
Cancer Drug ◽  
Delivery Vehicles

There is a need for the improvement of conventional cancer treatment strategies by incorporation of targeted and non-invasive procedures aimed to reduce side-effects, drug resistance, and recurrent metastases. The anti-cancer drug, 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), is linked to a variety of induced-systemic toxicities due to its lack of specificity and potent administration regimens, necessitating the development of delivery vehicles that can enhance its therapeutic potential, while minimizing associated side-effects. Polymeric mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) have gained popularity as delivery vehicles due to their high loading capacities, biocompatibility, and good pharmacokinetics. MSNs produced in this study were functionalized with the biocompatible polymers, chitosan, and poly(ethylene)glycol to produce monodisperse NPs of 36–65 nm, with a large surface area of 710.36 m2/g, large pore volume, diameter spanning 9.8 nm, and a favorable zeta potential allowing for stability and enhanced uptake of 5-FU. Significant drug loading (0.15–0.18 mg5FU/mgmsn), controlled release profiles (15–65%) over 72 hours, and cell specific cytotoxicity in cancer cells (Caco-2, MCF-7, and HeLa) with reduced cell viability (≥50%) over the non-cancer (HEK293) cells were established. Overall, these 5FU-MSN formulations have been shown to be safe and effective delivery systems in vitro, with potential for in vivo applications.

scholarly journals First-in-Woman Safety, Tolerability, and Pharmacokinetics of Orally Administered GS-441524: A Broad-Spectrum Antiviral Treatment for COVID-19

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Victoria Yan
Keyword(s):  
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ◽  
Broad Spectrum ◽  
Half Life ◽  
Maximum Concentration ◽  
Viral Infections ◽  
Clinical Laboratory ◽  
Antiviral Treatment ◽  
Oral Solution ◽  
Healthy Human

GS-441524 is a nucleoside analogue with broad-spectrum antiviral activity against RNA viruses, including severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV), Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV), and feline coronavirus (FCoV). GS-441524 is the main circulating metabolite following intravenous administration of remdesivir (Veklury®), with a plasma half-life of approximately 24 hours. The safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetics of GS-441524 was evaluated in a healthy human volunteer (N=1) when administered directly as an oral solution (750 mg) once daily for 7 days (Part 1) and 3 times daily for 3 days (Part 2). In Part 1 of the study, the effect of food on the absorption of GS-441524 was also evaluated. GS-441524 appeared rapidly in plasma, with an average time of maximum concentration of 0.5 hours during once-per-day dosing and exhibited an initial half-life phase of approximately 3.3 hours in the fasted state. Negligible accumulation was observed during part 1 of the multiday study. In Part 2 of the study, GS-441524 was administered 3 times daily, every 3 hours. A 2-4-fold accumulation of GS-441524 was observed approximately 3 hours after the third dose was administered, with a time of maximum concentration of 9 hours and a maximum concentration of 12.01 µM, exceeding the concentration reported to eradicate SARS-CoV-2 in vitro. For the duration of the study, GS-441524 was well-tolerated. There were no treatment-related adverse events and no clinically significant findings in clinical laboratory, vital signs, or electrocardiography. Taken together, these results demonstrate the safety and viability of orally administered GS-441524 for the treatment of COVID-19 and emerging viral infections.

In vitro activity of the novel antibacterial agent ibezapolstat (ACX-362E) against Clostridioides difficile

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Beverly Murray ◽  
Cindy Wolfe ◽  
Andrea Marra ◽  
Chris Pillar ◽  
Dean Shinabarger
Keyword(s):  
Therapeutic Potential ◽  
Oral Treatment ◽  
Clinical Development ◽  
Vitro Activity ◽  
The Novel ◽  
In Vitro Activity ◽  
Clostridioides Difficile ◽  
Clostridioides Difficile Infection ◽  
Time Kill

Abstract Background Ibezapolstat (ACX-362E) is the first DNA polymerase IIIC inhibitor undergoing clinical development for the oral treatment of Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI). Methods In this study, the in vitro activity of ibezapolstat was evaluated against a panel of 104 isolates of C. difficile, including those with characterized ribotypes (e.g. 027 and 078) and those producing toxin A or B and was shown to have similar activity to those of comparators against these strains. Results The overall MIC50/90 (mg/L) for ibezapolstat against evaluated C. difficile was 2/4, compared with 0.5/4 for metronidazole, 1/4 for vancomycin and 0.5/2 for fidaxomicin. In addition, the bactericidal activity of ibezapolstat was evaluated against actively growing C. difficile by determining the MBC against three C. difficile isolates. Time–kill kinetic assays were additionally performed against the three C. difficile isolates, with metronidazole and vancomycin as comparators. Conclusions The killing of C. difficile by ibezapolstat was observed to occur at concentrations similar to its MIC, as demonstrated by MBC:MIC ratios and reflected in time–kill kinetic assays. This activity highlights the therapeutic potential of ibezapolstat for the treatment of CDI.

scholarly journals Pharmacological Advances of Chloroquine and Hydroxychloroquine: From Antimalarials to Investigative Therapies in COVID-19

2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (9) ◽  
pp. 1934578X2095364
Author(s):  
Yang Song ◽  
Elise Fields
Keyword(s):  
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ◽  
Adverse Effects ◽  
Viral Infection ◽  
Therapeutic Potential ◽  
Pharmacological Activities ◽  
Pharmaceutical Applications ◽  
Natural Alkaloid ◽  
Derivatives Of ◽  
Existing Chemicals

During the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, numerous existing chemicals have been screened for antiviral potential against the emerging coronavirus severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2. Chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine, after exhibiting potent in vitro efficacy, have gained tremendous attention. Both therapeutics are derivatives of natural alkaloid quinine and were first synthesized to treat malaria. Thereafter, the pharmaceutical applications of the agents have expanded to many new areas. In this article, the medicinal history and pharmacological activities of chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine are summarized. Antimalarial, anti-inflammatory, antitumor, antiviral properties, and therapeutic potential in the emerging viral infection COVID-19 are discussed. Pharmacokinetics, adverse effects, and toxicities are reviewed.

scholarly journals A narrative review of herbal preparations against RNA viruses

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Eghbal Jasemi ◽  
Saeideh Momtaz ◽  
Reza Ghaffarzadegan ◽  
Amir Hossein Abdolghaffari ◽  
Mohammad Abdollahi
Keyword(s):  
Infectious Diseases ◽  
Viral Infections ◽  
Therapeutic Potential ◽  
Synthetic Compound ◽  
Novel Approach ◽  
Plant Families ◽  
Approved Drugs ◽  
Almost All

Background: Throughout history, the plant kingdom has been a source of medicine in almost all cultures. Nowadays, ensuring the safety, quality, and effectiveness of medicinal herbs and their products has become an essential issue in industrialized and developing countries. Phytochemicals are usually involved in pharmacological actions and are used worldwide for various purposes, including the treatment of infectious diseases. Objectives: Although several therapeutics were designed to control infectious diseases, viral infections are still fatal. Currently, evidence extracted from in vivo, in vitro, and silico studies support the antiviral activity of many herbs scientifically; however, the therapeutic potential of many other herbs is still unknown. Plants and their products may potentially control the propagation of viruses in a variety of conditions. Methods: Data were extracted from PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, and Science Direct from 1983-2020. We gathered a list of plant extracts, phytochemicals, and herbal formulations that can inhibit RNA viral infections, mainly those are originated from the coronaviruses family. We also provided an overview of their inhibitory mechanism of actions. Results: Plant families, including Lamiaceae, Asteraceae, and Myrtaceae, contain the highest number of species with anti-coronaviruses activities, respectively. Conclusion: It can be suggested that the combination of these antiviral ingredients with each other, any synthetic compound, or already approved drugs or inhibitors can be a novel approach for antiviral therapies.  

scholarly journals Synergistic Interferon Alpha-based Drug Combinations Inhibit SARS-CoV-2 and other viral Infections in Vitro

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aleksandr Ianevski ◽  
Rouan Yao ◽  
Eva Zusinaite ◽  
Laura Lello ◽  
Sainan Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Interferon Alpha ◽  
Influenza A ◽  
Viral Infections ◽  
Human Lung ◽  
Therapeutic Potential ◽  
A549 Cells ◽  
Drug Dose ◽  
Human Interferon ◽  
Lung Epithelial

Abstract There is an urgent need for new antivirals with powerful therapeutic potential and tolerable side effects. In the present study, we found that recombinant human interferon-alpha (IFNa) triggered cell intrinsic and extrinsic antiviral responses and reduced replication of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in human lung epithelial Calu-3 cells. However, IFNa alone was insufficient to completely abolish SARS-CoV-2 replication. Combinations of IFNa with camostat, remdesivir, EIDD-2801, cycloheximide or convalescent serum showed strong synergy and effectively inhibited SARS-CoV-2 infection. Additionally, we demonstrated synergistic antiviral activity of IFNa2a with pimodivir against influenza A virus (FluAV) infection in human lung epithelial A549 cells, as well as of IFNa2a with lamivudine against human immunodeficiency virus 1 (HIV-1) infection in human TZM-bl cells. Our results indicate that IFNa2a-based combinational therapies help to reduce drug dose and improve efficacy in comparison with monotherapies, making them attractive targets for further pre-clinical and clinical development.

scholarly journals Discovery of Clioquinol and Analogues as Novel Inhibitors of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Infection, ACE2 and ACE2 - Spike Protein Interaction In Vitro

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Omonike A. Olaleye ◽  
Manvir Kaur ◽  
Collins Onyenaka ◽  
Tolu Adebusuyi
Keyword(s):  
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ◽  
Cytopathic Effect ◽  
Molecular Target ◽  
Clinical Development ◽  
Spike Protein ◽  
Angiotensin Converting Enzyme 2 ◽  
Global Pandemic ◽  
Potential Therapeutics ◽  
Micromolar Range

AbstractSevere Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the etiological agent for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), has emerged as an ongoing global pandemic. Presently, there are no clinically approved vaccines nor drugs for COVID-19. Hence, there is an urgent need to accelerate the development of effective antivirals. Here in, we discovered Clioquinol (5-chloro-7-iodo-8-quinolinol (CLQ)), a FDA approved drug and two of its analogues (7-bromo-5-chloro-8-hydroxyquinoline (CLBQ14); and 5, 7-Dichloro-8-hydroxyquinoline (CLCQ)) as potent inhibitors of SARS-CoV-2 infection induced cytopathic effect in vitro. In addition, all three compounds showed potent anti-exopeptidase activity against recombinant human angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (rhACE2) and inhibited the binding of rhACE2 with SARS-CoV-2 Spike (RBD) protein. CLQ displayed the highest potency in the low micromolar range, with its antiviral activity showing strong correlation with inhibition of rhACE2 and rhACE2-RBD interaction. Altogether, our findings provide a new mode of action and molecular target for CLQ and validates this pharmacophore as a promising lead series for clinical development of potential therapeutics for COVID-19.

scholarly journals Amantadine: reappraisal of the timeless diamond—target updates and novel therapeutic potentials

2021 ◽  
Vol 128 (2) ◽  
pp. 127-169 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wojciech Danysz ◽  
Andrzej Dekundy ◽  
Astrid Scheschonka ◽  
Peter Riederer
Keyword(s):  
Viral Infections ◽  
Therapeutic Potential ◽  
Aromatic Amino Acids ◽  
Disease Symptoms ◽  
Hyperactivity Disorder ◽  
Pharmacological Targets ◽  
Cord Injury ◽  
Sigma 1 ◽  
Therapeutic Doses

AbstractThe aim of the current review was to provide a new, in-depth insight into possible pharmacological targets of amantadine to pave the way to extending its therapeutic use to further indications beyond Parkinson’s disease symptoms and viral infections. Considering amantadine’s affinities in vitro and the expected concentration at targets at therapeutic doses in humans, the following primary targets seem to be most plausible: aromatic amino acids decarboxylase, glial-cell derived neurotrophic factor, sigma-1 receptors, phosphodiesterases, and nicotinic receptors. Further three targets could play a role to a lesser extent: NMDA receptors, 5-HT3 receptors, and potassium channels. Based on published clinical studies, traumatic brain injury, fatigue [e.g., in multiple sclerosis (MS)], and chorea in Huntington’s disease should be regarded potential, encouraging indications. Preclinical investigations suggest amantadine’s therapeutic potential in several further indications such as: depression, recovery after spinal cord injury, neuroprotection in MS, and cutaneous pain. Query in the database http://www.clinicaltrials.gov reveals research interest in several further indications: cancer, autism, cocaine abuse, MS, diabetes, attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder, obesity, and schizophrenia.

scholarly journals Human neutralizing antibodies for SARS-CoV-2 prevention and immunotherapy

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dongyan Zhou ◽  
Runhong Zhou ◽  
Zhiwei Chen
Keyword(s):  
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ◽  
Neutralizing Antibodies ◽  
Immune Escape ◽  
Passive Immunization ◽  
Clinical Development ◽  
Vaccine Research ◽  
Breakthrough Infection ◽  
Clinical Benefits

Abstract Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the causative agent of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). SARS-CoV-2 has been spreading worldwide since December 2019, resulting in the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic with 237 million infections and 4.8 million deaths by 11 October 2021. While there are great efforts of global vaccination, ending this pandemic has been challenged by issues of exceptionally high viral transmissibility, re-infection, vaccine-breakthrough infection, and immune escape variants of concerns. Besides the record-breaking speed of vaccine research and development, antiviral drugs including SARS-CoV-2-specific human neutralizing antibodies (HuNAbs) have been actively explored for passive immunization. In support of HuNAb-based immunotherapy, passive immunization using convalescent patients’ plasma have generated promising evidence on clinical benefits for both mild and severe COVID-19 patients. Since the source of convalescent plasma is limited, the discovery of broadly reactive HuNAbs may have significant impacts on the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. In this review, therefore, we discuss the current technologies of gene cloning, modes of action, in vitro and in vivo potency and breadth, and clinical development for potent SARS-CoV-2-specific HuNAbs.

scholarly journals Hemin as a novel candidate for treating COVID-19 via heme oxygenase-1 induction

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Dong-Hwi Kim ◽  
Hee-Seop Ahn ◽  
Hyeon-Jeong Go ◽  
Da-Yoon Kim ◽  
Jae-Hyeong Kim ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Oxidative Stress ◽  
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ◽  
Heme Oxygenase ◽  
Death Rate ◽  
Expression Vector ◽  
Viral Infections ◽  
Selectivity Index ◽  
Heme Oxygenase 1 ◽  
Antiviral Effects

AbstractSevere acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the causative agent of the coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19). More than 143 million cases of COVID-19 have been reported to date, with the global death rate at 2.13%. Currently, there are no licensed therapeutics for controlling SARS-CoV-2 infection. The antiviral effects of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), a cytoprotective enzyme that inhibits the inflammatory response and reduces oxidative stress, have been investigated in several viral infections. To confirm whether HO-1 suppresses SARS-CoV-2 infection, we assessed the antiviral activity of hemin, an effective and safe HO-1 inducer, in SARS-CoV-2 infection. We found that treatment with hemin efficiently suppressed SARS-CoV-2 replication (selectivity index: 249.7012). Besides, the transient expression of HO-1 using an expression vector also suppressed the growth of the virus in cells. Free iron and biliverdin, which are metabolic byproducts of heme catalysis by HO-1, also suppressed the viral infection. Additionally, hemin indirectly increased the expression of interferon-stimulated proteins known to restrict SARS-CoV-2 replication. Overall, the findings suggested that HO-1, induced by hemin, effectively suppressed SARS-CoV-2 in vitro. Therefore, HO-1 could be potential therapeutic candidate for COVID-19.

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