Title:Nitric Oxide and its Derivatives Containing Nasal Spray and Inhalation Therapy for
the Treatment of COVID-19
Volume: 28
Issue: 46
Author(s): Vivek P. Chavda*, Aayushi B. Patel, Lalitkumar K. Vora*, Rajeev K. Singla*, Priyal Shah, Vladimir N. Uversky and Vasso Apostolopoulos
Affiliation:
- Department of Pharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Technology, LM College of Pharmacy, Ahmedabad - 380009, India
- School of
Pharmacy, Queen’s University Belfast, 97 Lisburn Road, BT9 7BL, U.K
- Institutes for Systems Genetics, Frontiers Science Center
for Disease-Related Molecular Network, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Xinchuan Road 2222, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Lovely Professional University, Phagwara, Punjab-144411, India
Keywords:
Coronavirus, nitric oxide, nasal spray, drug delivery, COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2, inhalation therapy, pulmonary delivery.
Abstract: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has become a major health concern
worldwide and has evolved into different variants. SARS-CoV-2 possesses a spike glycoprotein on its envelope
that binds to the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE-2) receptor of the host cell via the receptor-binding
domain (RBD) in the upper respiratory tract. Since the SARS-CoV-2 virus variants change the severity of the
diesease and treatment scenarios, repurposing current medicines may provide a quick and appealing method
with established safety features. The efficacy and safety of antiviral medicines against the coronavirus disease
2019 (COVID-19) have been investigated, and several of them are now undergoing clinical studies. Recently, it
has been found that nitric oxide (NO) shows antiviral properties against SARS-CoV-2 and prevents the virus
from binding to a host cell. In addition, NO is a well-known vasodilator and acts as an important coagulation
mediator. With the fast-track development of COVID-19 treatments and vaccines, one avenue of research
aimed at improving therapeutics is exploring different forms of drug delivery, including intranasal sprays and
inhalation therapy. The nasal mucosa is more prone to be the site of infection as it is in more direct contact with
the physical environment via air during inhalation and exhalation. Thus, the use of exogenous nasal NO therapy
via the intranasal route displays a distinct advantage. Therefore, the objective of this review is to summarize the
relevant actions of NO via the intranasal spray and inhalation delivery, its mechanism of action, and its use in
the treatment of COVID-19.
