The outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) underlined the urgent need for alleviating cytokine storm. We propose here that activating the cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway (CAP) is a potential therapeutic strategy. However, there is currently no approved drugs targeting the regulatory pathway. It is evident that nicotine, anisodamine and some herb medicine, activate the CAP and exert anti-inflammation action in vitro and in vivo . As the vagus nerve affects both inflammation and specific immune response, we propose that vagus nerve stimulation by invasive or non-invasive devices and acupuncture at ST36, PC6, or GV20, are also feasible approaches to activate the CAP and control COVID-19. It is worth to investigate the efficacy and safety of the strategy in patients with COVID-19.
【저자키워드】 Coronavirus disease 2019, Cytokine storm, therapeutic strategy, Cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway, Vagus nerve stimulation, 【초록키워드】 COVID-19, coronavirus disease, Inflammation, immune response, Anti-inflammatory, Anti-inflammation, in vitro, outbreak, pathway, Efficacy and safety, in vivo, Anisodamine, approved drug, Non-invasive, regulatory pathway, Affect, approach, invasive, activate, feasible, activating, nerve stimulation, patients with COVID-19, 【제목키워드】 COVID-19, Strategy, novel, cholinergic,