Communication: Novel Drug Combination Doxycycline-Melatonin-Digoxin(D-M-D) for Possible Covid-19 Treatment
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.12970/2308-8044.2020.08.01Keywords:
Covid-19, Melatonin, Digoxin, Doxycycline, antiviral treatment.Abstract
Covid-19, stands for a Coronavirus disease appeared in Wuhan province of China in December 2019, for first time. So far, it has spread rapidly throughout the world with mortality of 1-2% in general population. The main fatal mechanism is acute respiratory distress syndrome due to the development of severe pneumonia with or without sepsis, especially in patients aged over 50 with serious comorbidities. The deadly outcome of Covid-19 regarding the aforementioned infected group, has intensified scientific research worldwide in order to create novel vaccination and drug treatment. Based on current Guidelines of National Health Commission of the People’s Republic of China drugs such as IFNa, Lopinavir/ritonavir, Ribavirin, Chloroquine phosphate and Arbidol have been proposed for the treatment of Covid-19 infection. Yet, research is still ongoing on a variety of other potential drugs. Doxycycline(D), is an antimalarial antibiotic which exhibits both anti-inflammatory and antiviral action. In particular, doxycycline inhibits Dengue virus replication in vitro. Melatonin(M), among other mechanisms demonstrates immune-regulatory, antioxidant and antiviral activity, as well. Melatonin administration shows protective action in cases of Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome(ARDS) and septic shock. Digoxin(D), is a cardiac glycoside which has been scientifically proven to possess antiviral properties. The main inhibition mechanism is the blocking of Na-K-ATPase in a variety of viral infections, including Coronavirus family’s ones. Hypothesis, that the three previous agents(D-M-D) deserve to be scientifically tested in combination as potential drug treatment against Covid-19, seems to be a well-established proposal.References
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