Potential pharmacologic treatments for COVID-19 smell and taste loss: A comprehensive review

The acute loss of taste and smell following COVID-19 are hallmark symptoms that affect 20–85% of patients. However, the pathophysiology and potential treatments of COVID-19 smell and taste loss are not fully understood. We searched the literature to review the potential pathologic pathways and treat...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:European journal of pharmacology 2021-12, Vol.912, p.174582-174582, Article 174582
Main Authors: Khani, Elnaz, Khiali, Sajad, Beheshtirouy, Samineh, Entezari-Maleki, Taher
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Ageusia
Ageusia - drug therapy
Ageusia - virology
Animals
Anosmia
COVID-19
COVID-19 Drug Treatment
Humans
SARS-CoV-2 - drug effects
Smell - drug effects
Taste - drug effects
Therapeutics
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Summary:The acute loss of taste and smell following COVID-19 are hallmark symptoms that affect 20–85% of patients. However, the pathophysiology and potential treatments of COVID-19 smell and taste loss are not fully understood. We searched the literature to review the potential pathologic pathways and treatment options for COVID-19 smell and taste loss. The interaction of novel coronavirus with ACE-2 receptors expressed on sustentacular cells and taste buds results in direct damage to the olfactory and gustatory systems. Also, the invasion of the virus to the olfactory neurons and consequent local inflammation are other proposed mechanisms. Therefore, COVID-19 patients with smell or taste loss may benefit from neuroprotective, anti-inflammatory, or depolarizing agents. Based on the current evidence, phosphodiesterase inhibitors, insulin, and corticosteroids can be promising for the management of COVID-19 smell and taste loss. This review provided crucial information for treating COVID-19-related smell and/or taste loss, urging to perform large clinical trials to find optimum treatment options.
ISSN:0014-2999
1879-0712
DOI:10.1016/j.ejphar.2021.174582