Ivermectin as a potential drug for treatment of COVID-19: an in-sync review with clinical and computational attributes

• Published in: Pharmacological reports 2021-06, Vol.73 (3), p.736-749
• Main Authors: Kaur, Harpinder, Shekhar, Nishant, Sharma, Saurabh, Sarma, Phulen, Prakash, Ajay, Medhi, Bikash
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Drug Safety and Pharmacovigilance; Medicine; Pharmacotherapy; Pharmacy; Review
• ISSN: 1734-1140; 2299-5684
• DOI: 10.1007/s43440-020-00195-y

Introduction COVID-19 cases are on surge; however, there is no efficient treatment or vaccine that can be used for its management. Numerous clinical trials are being reviewed for use of different drugs, biologics, and vaccines in COVID-19. A much empirical approach will be to repurpose existing drugs for which pharmacokinetic and safety data are available, because this will facilitate the process of drug development. The article discusses the evidence available for the use of Ivermectin, an anti-parasitic drug with antiviral properties, in COVID-19. Methods A rational review of the drugs was carried out utilizing their clinically significant attributes. A more thorough understanding was met by virtual embodiment of the drug structure and realizable viral targets using artificial intelligence (AI)-based and molecular dynamics (MD)-simulation-based study. Conclusion Certain studies have highlighted the significance of ivermectin in COVID-19; however, it requires evidences from more Randomised Controlled Trials (RCTs) and dose- response studies to support its use. In silico-based analysis of ivermectin’s molecular interaction specificity using AI and classical mechanics simulation-based methods indicates positive interaction of ivermectin with viral protein targets, which is leading for SARS-CoV 2 N-protein NTD (nucleocapsid protein N-terminal domain).