Research and development of Chinese anti-COVID-19 drugs.
10.1016/j.apsb.2022.09.002
- Author:
Xiwei JI
1
;
Xiangrui MENG
2
;
Xiao ZHU
3
;
Qingfeng HE
3
;
Yimin CUI
1
Author Information
1. Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing 100034, China.
2. Xiyuan Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100091, China.
3. Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmacy Administration, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai 201203, China.
- Publication Type:Review
- Keywords:
Chinese anti-COVID-19 drug;
Development prospect;
Drug candidate;
Natural product;
Neutralizing antibody;
Protein drug;
Small-molecule drug;
Traditional Chinese medicine
- From:
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B
2022;12(12):4271-4286
- CountryChina
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
The outbreak and spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) highlighted the importance and urgency of the research and development of therapeutic drugs. Very early into the COVID-19 pandemic, China has begun developing drugs, with some notable progress. Herein, we summarizes the anti-COVID-19 drugs and promising drug candidates originally developed and researched in China. Furthermore, we discussed the developmental prospects, mechanisms of action, and advantages and disadvantages of the anti-COVID-19 drugs in development, with the aim to contribute to the rational use of drugs in COVID-19 treatment and more effective development of new drugs against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and the variants. Neutralizing antibody is an effective approach to overcome COVID-19. However, drug resistance induced by rapid virus mutation will likely to challenge neutralizing antibodies. Taking into account current epidemic trends, small molecule drugs have a crucial role in fighting COVID-19 due to their significant advantage of convenient administration and affordable and broad-spectrum. Traditional Chinese medicines, including natural products and traditional Chinese medicine prescriptions, contribute to the treatment of COVID-19 due to their unique mechanism of action. Currently, the research and development of Chinese anti-COVID-19 drugs have led to some promising achievements, thus prompting us to expect even more rapidly available solutions.
