REVIEW PAPER
Review of studies on SARS-CoV-2 infection inhibitors
 
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1
1st Clinical Military Hospital with Outpatient Clinic, Lublin, Poland
 
2
Biological Threats Identification and Countermeasure Centre, Military Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Warsaw, Poland
 
 
Corresponding author
Aleksander Michalski   

1st Clinical Military Hospital with Outpatient Clinic, Racławickei 23, Lublin, Poland
 
 
Ann Agric Environ Med. 2021;28(4):541-550
 
KEYWORDS
TOPICS
ABSTRACT
Introduction and objective:
COVID-19 is a human infectious disease manifested by acute respiratory syndrome. On 30 January, 2020, the Word Heath Organization (WHO) declared a COVID-19 pandemic. The purpose of this article is to review publications on the search for substances that show inhibitory activity against SARS-CoV-2 infectivity, paying particular attention to the effect on different stages of the life cycle of the virus.

Review methods:
The review was based on an analysis of the latest available scientific literature and international databases. The data collected relate to the years 2020–2021.

Brief description of the state of knowledge:
Extremely intensive research is underway to find compounds that inhibit infection with the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Promising areas of research among the many current endeavours are antiviral compounds that stimulate the immune system, counter proliferation or affect individual viral replication cycles. These include, among others, interferons, monoclonal antibodies, natural compounds, peptides, aptamers, metal salts, and anti-inflammatory agents, inhibitors of viral enzymem, such as the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase. Preparations that help the body to combat the effects of infection have also assumed much importance.

Conclusions:
The ongoing research is focused on the development of new antiviral agents, as well as the use of the existing drugs on the market. The results of clinical trials are promising and give hope for the development of effective therapies against SARS-CoV-2 and emerging variants of this virus.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The authors would like to thank Prof. dr. hab. Stanisław Majcherczyk for his support in suggesting the appropriate scope of coverage of this manuscript.
 
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