An updated insight into the molecular pathogenesis, secondary complications and potential therapeutics of COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an unprecedented disease caused by highly pathogenic SARS-CoV-2 and characterized by extreme respiratory deterrence, pneumonia and immune damage. The phylogenetic analysis demonstrated the sequence similarity of SARS-CoV-2 with other SARS-like bat viruses. The primary source and intermediate host are not yet confirmed, although transmission from human to human is universally confirmed. The new SARS-CoV-2 virus reaches cells via ACE-2 and subsequently down-regulates ACE-2, leaving angiotensin II unbalanced in affected organs primarily in the lungs, heart, brain, and kidneys. As reported recently, numerous secondary complications i.e., neurological, nephrological, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, immune, and hepatic complications, are associated with COVID-19 infection along with prominent respiratory disease including pneumonia. Extensive research work on recently discovered SARS-CoV-2 is in the pipeline to clarify pathogenic mechanisms, epidemiological features, and identify new drug targets that will lead to the development of successful strategies for prevention and treatment. There are currently no appropriate scientifically approved vaccines/drugs for COVID-19. Nonetheless, few broad-spectrum antiviral drugs, azithromycin were tested against COVID-19 in clinical trials, and finally, FDA approved emergency use of remdesivir in hospitalized COVID-19 patients. Additionally, administration of convalescent plasma obtained from recovered COVID-19 patients to infected COVID-19 patients reduces the viral burden via immunomodulation. This review analysis therefore concentrates primarily on recent discoveries related to COVID-19 pathogenesis along with a full description of the structure, genome, and secondary complication associated with SARS-CoV-2. Finally, a short and brief clinical update has been provided concerning the development of therapeutic medications and vaccines to counter COVID-19.

SARS-CoV-2 and nervous system: From pathogenesis to clinical manifestation

“…There are ongoing worldwide clinical trials for the development of a vaccine to prevent COVID-19, which is not currently available and that poses some challenges due to safety, efficacy, and long-lasting effects without further risks of re-infection, particularly in the elderly population ( Jamwal et al, 2020 ). The COVID-19 pandemic with its variety of manifestations, not only pulmonary or neurological, is an international public health emergency that requires efforts from all countries to develop effective drugs and vaccines as early as possible.…”

Identification of alkaloids from Justicia adhatoda as potent SARS CoV-2 main protease inhibitors: An in silico perspective

“…The current emergency due to the worldwide spread of the COVID-19 disease is caused by the new severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS CoV-2). This viral disease is a great concern for global public health [1] . This disease is a lot more contagious than previous outbreaks of SARS and MERS [ 2 , 3 ].…”

Uncaria tomentosa(cat’s claw): a promising herbal medicine against SARS-CoV-2/ACE-2 junction and SARS-CoV-2 spike protein based on molecular modeling

“…The S protein is responsible for the host attachment and fusion of the viral and host-cell membranes (Wu et al, 2020). Otherwise, the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 receptor (ACE-2r) is the host cellular receptor with a higher affinity to SARS-CoV-2 (Jamwal et al, 2020). This process is triggered when the S1 subunit of S protein binds to a host-cell receptor (Han & Kr al, 2020).…”