The Potential Therapeutic Role of Proton Pump Inhibitors in COVID-19: Hypotheses Based on Existing Evidences
Drug Res (Stuttg) DOI: 10.1055/a-1236-3041Although the major therapeutic uses of the proton pump inhibitors are in
gastric-acid related diseases, evidences are suggestive of a pleiotropic nature
of the compounds. We comment on the probable pathways and cellular machineries
via which proton pump inhibitors could show beneficial therapeutic effects
against SARS-CoV-2 based on the existing evidences. Proton pump inhibitors have
shown antiviral potencies in various in vivo and in vitro studies. Some of the
major possible ways through which they can act against SARS-CoV-2 are by
exerting anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic effects, via vacuolar ATPase pumps
leading to raised endolysosomal pH and by targeting endosomal complexes. The
current pandemic has put forward a challenge to find treatment options. Although
the potential roles of proton pump inhibitors against SARS-CoV-2 have been
discussed in recent publications, the clinical evidences for their real-world
effectiveness do not point towards a beneficial effect clearly yet. We suggest
that although proton pump inhibitors should strongly be considered as potential
therapeutic options for COVID-19, larger studies in the form of randomized
controlled trials would be required to arrive at a definite conclusion. [...] © Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New YorkArticle in Thieme e...
Source: Drug Research - Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Authors: Ray, Avik Sharma, Swati Sadasivam, Balakrishnan Tags: Opinion Paper Source Type: research