Cepharanthine (CEP) is a naturally occurring alkaloid derived from Stephania cepharantha Hayata and demonstrated to have unique anti-inflammatory, antioxidative, immunomodulating, antiparasitic, and antiviral properties. Its therapeutic potential as an antiviral agent has never been more important than in combating COVID-19 caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus type 2 (SARS-CoV-2) virus. Cepharanthine suppresses nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) activation, lipid peroxidation, nitric oxide (NO) production, cytokine production, and expression of cyclooxygenase; all of which are crucial to viral replication and inflammatory response. Against SARS-CoV-2 and homologous viruses, CEP predominantly inhibits viral entry and replication at low doses; and was recently identified as the most potent coronavirus inhibitor among 2406 clinically approved drug repurposing candidates in a preclinical model. This review critically analyzes and consolidates available evidence establishing CEP’s potential therapeutic importance as a drug of choice in managing COVID-19 cases.
【저자키워드】 COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2, coronavirus, Antiviral, Cepharanthine, 【초록키워드】 viruses, coronavirus, Anti-inflammatory, nitric oxide, cytokine, drug, virus, viral entry, antiparasitic, lipid peroxidation, Replication, Viral, viral replication, Antioxidative, therapeutic, Cepharanthine, respiratory, antiviral agent, homologous, expression, cytokine production, NF-κB, Evidence, Inflammatory response, Cyclooxygenase, COVID-19 cases, drug of choice, acute respiratory syndrome, Activation, acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus, therapeutic potential, choice, candidate, antiviral properties, nuclear, immunomodulating, combating, caused, clinically, inhibit, approved, unique, demonstrated, suppresse, Against, coronavirus inhibitor, Hayata, Stephania,