Ivermectin for COVID-19: A broad-spectrum veterinary endectocide with antiviral activity

Abstract

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS CoV 2) is a novel zoonotic coronavirus that has emerged from Wuhan, China. Compared to its predecessors, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome CoV (SARS CoV) and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome CoV (MERS CoV), SARS CoV 2 has exhibited efficient human-to-human transmission. In addition to the efficient human-to-human transmission, SARS CoV 2 is also reported to infect other animal species such as cats, tigers, lions, dogs, and minks. The susceptibility of other felines such as cheetah, puma, jaguar, leopard, and lynx are unknown. The reports of SARS CoV 2 natural infection in animals opens up several opportunities to identify suitable animal models for the evaluation of SARS CoV 2 specific vaccines and therapeutics. Ivermectin is a macrocyclic lactone endectocide that has broad-spectrum anti-parasitic activity. The wonder drug ivermectin was also found to possess anti-viral, anti-bacterial, and anti-cancer activity. The antiviral activity exhibited by ivermectin against SARS CoV 2 is believed to be mediated via targeting the importin α/β-mediated nuclear transport and requires further validation. Since the antiviral activity of ivermectin is through a host-directed mechanism, it can reduce the viral load even if administered at a lower dose. Further studies are required to evaluate the efficacy of ivermectin based on in vivo as well as the clinical trials. Being an FDA approved antiparasitic drug, repurposing it for treating COVID-19 patients will be an easy task once it is found to have therapeutic potential.