Familiar fixes for a modern malady: a discussion on the possible cures of COVID-19

Amrit Krishna Mitra; Amrit Krishna Mitra

doi:10.3934/molsci.2020012

AIMS Molecular Science

2020, Volume 7, Issue 3: 269-280. doi: 10.3934/molsci.2020012

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Familiar fixes for a modern malady: a discussion on the possible cures of COVID-19

Amrit Krishna Mitra ^,

Department of Chemistry, Government General Degree College, Singur, Hooghly, West Bengal, Pin: 712409, India

Received: 30 May 2020 Accepted: 13 July 2020 Published: 16 July 2020

The SARS-CoV-2 virus emerged in December 2019 in Wuhan, China and then spread rapidly all over the world. Scientists are intensifying their research efforts in order to find antivirals specific to the virus and vaccines to treat or prevent COVID-19. Now, for a medicative cure for COVID-19, several drugs such as chloroquine, hydroxychloroquine, lopinavir, ritonavir, remdesivir and favipiravir are currently undergoing clinical studies. Convalescent plasma therapy and high dose of intravenous (IV) vitamin C have also been used to treat SARS-CoV-2 infections. This article outlines aspects related to several antiviral drugs and therapies which may be potentially effective against SARS-CoV-2.
- COVID-19,
- SARS-CoV-2,
- chloroquine,
- hydroxychloroquine,
- lopinavir,
- ritonavir,
- remdesivir,
- favipiravir,
- vitamin C,
- convalescent plasma
Citation: Amrit Krishna Mitra. Familiar fixes for a modern malady: a discussion on the possible cures of COVID-19[J]. AIMS Molecular Science, 2020, 7(3): 269-280. doi: 10.3934/molsci.2020012

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Abstract

The SARS-CoV-2 virus emerged in December 2019 in Wuhan, China and then spread rapidly all over the world. Scientists are intensifying their research efforts in order to find antivirals specific to the virus and vaccines to treat or prevent COVID-19. Now, for a medicative cure for COVID-19, several drugs such as chloroquine, hydroxychloroquine, lopinavir, ritonavir, remdesivir and favipiravir are currently undergoing clinical studies. Convalescent plasma therapy and high dose of intravenous (IV) vitamin C have also been used to treat SARS-CoV-2 infections. This article outlines aspects related to several antiviral drugs and therapies which may be potentially effective against SARS-CoV-2.

Acknowledgments

The author is extremely thankful to Mrs. Sayantani Mitra (Teacher, Department of English, Sushila Birla Girls' School, Kolkata, India), for her constant support in reviewing the manuscript.

Conflict of interest

The author declares no conflict of interest in this manuscript.

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