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Pharmacologist Found New Way to Treat COVID-19

Aug, 2020

The goal is to reduce the anti-inflammatory respiratory processes that are major factors in the novel coronavirus.

The novel coronavirus was first detected across the Wuhan city, China in late December 2019. The virus has now made its way to almost every corner of the world and has infected millions of individuals across the world. To date, the virus has infected more than 13,767,530 folks and killed more than 589,211 people across the world. Meanwhile, scientists around the world are racing to find an effective vaccine or treatment to cure the infection. Now, a pharmacologist from Australia has found a new way to treat COVID-19, hoping to find an effective antiviral or vaccine before the end of 2020.

According to Professor Richard Head from the University of South Australia (UniSA), Scientists should focus on remodeling current proven drugs to block acute inflammatory reactions to the virus in critically ill patients. Moreover, Prof. Head calls for a coordinated international approach to save time and reduce duplication. By the clinical evaluation of existing drugs, the goal is to reduce the anti-inflammatory respiratory processes that are major factors in the novel coronavirus, Head adds. This deadly virus can destroy cells on an inflammatory scale, piercing an enzyme named angiotensin-altered enzyme 2 (ACE2) to gain entry through the lungs and impair normal cell functions.

This receptor allows the entry to the virus to hook up and infect many human cells. It is important for controlling inflammation in many organs of the body. By attacking and damaging the ACE2, the virus disrupts the regulatory function of ACE2, impacting the immune system and causing severe inflammation. However, one cannot restore the broken enzyme, thus it needs to be blocked and control the inflammatory response, as well as take control when these enzymes get inactivated. According to Prof. Head, a new approach is required to deal with severe cases to relieve the health resources’ pressure and buy time to find an effective antiviral and vaccine.