Warning: This is a preliminary report that has not been peer-reviewed. It should not be regarded as conclusive, guide clinical practice/health-related behavior, or be reported in news media as established information.

Metformin an anti-diabetic drug, possess ACE-2 receptor-SARS- Cov-2 RBD binding antagonist activity, anti-inflammatory and cytokine inhibitory properties suitable for treatment of COVID-19 (Preliminary Report)

Metformin is a widely used and is a safe anti-diabetic drug. It has also been shown to have anti-inflammatory and anti-viral activities in humans and animal models. Specifically we explored its activity in SARS-CoV-2 initiated COVID19 disease. Here we show that metformin 1. blocks the binding of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein ...
receptor binding domain RBD to human ACE2 receptor 2. We also show that it has anti-inflammatory effects and reduces cytokine secretion as well as blocks the recruitment of monocytes to endothelial cells 3. Finally we show its activity in a hamster in vivo model of SARS-CoV-2 infection as a nasal formulation. Based on the safety and the therapeutic properties relevant to COVID-19 it is feasible to propose a nasal spray of metformin that can be used in treatment of this disease. A nasal spray would deliver the drug to the target organ lung and spare other organs which get exposed upon oral dosing.
Date: May. 15, 2023
Status: Preliminary Report
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