Neurokinin-1 Receptor as a potential drug target for COVID-19 treatment - 09/10/21


Abstract |
Novel Coronavirus infection (COVID-19) has become a pandemic in these days. It is an acute respiratory and infectious disease with no known etiology and treatment. It is continuously causing losses of precious lives and economy at a global scale on daily basis. It is the need of the hour to find more treatment strategies by either developing a drug or to boost the immune system. This opinion article aims to provide Substance P (SP) as a possible cause of the initiation of cytokine storm developed in COVID-19 infection and to suggest Neurokinin-1 Receptor (NK-1R) antagonist, Aprepitant, as a drug to be used for its treatment. This perspective will provide directions to the Biomedical scientists to explore SP and NK-1R and prepare a drug to alleviate the symptoms and cure the disease. It is very important to work on this perspective at earliest to reach to some conclusion regarding the therapeutic intervention. Clinical studies may also be conducted if proven successful. SP is a neurotransmitter and neuromodulator, released from the trigeminal nerve of brainstem as a result of nociception. It is directly related to the respiratory illness as in COVID-19 infection. It is responsible for the increased inflammation and the signature symptoms associated with this disease. It is the main switch that needs to be switched off by administering Aprepitant along with glucocorticosteroid, dexamethasone.
Le texte complet de cet article est disponible en PDF.Graphical Abstract |
Schematic diagram showing Substance P, its receptor Neurokinin-1 and Neutral Endopeptidase. SP binds to NK-1R as a result of nociceptive stimulus and potentiates the inflammation. NEP acts as a regulatory mechanism by degrading the SP and hence, inflammation
Highlights |
• | SARS-Cov-2 virus enters the respiratory tract of the patient through nose, mouth and eyes. |
• | It may also take its route to trigeminal ganglion (TG) through its branches,V1,V2,V3. |
• | TG is the center for brain respiratory control and releases important neurotransmitters including Substance P (SP). |
• | SP modulates the inflammation and initiates cytokine storming after being stimulated by nociceptive stimulus i.e virus. |
• | SP along with its receptor Neurokinin-1 should be targeted to prevent cytokine storming, hence COVID-19 infection. |
Keywords : Coronavirus treatment, Substance P/ Neurokinin-1 Receptor antagonist, Respiratory illness, Infectious disease
Plan
Vol 143
Article 112159- novembre 2021 Retour au numéroBienvenue sur EM-consulte, la référence des professionnels de santé.