Table 1.

Potential therapeutic agents for COVID-19

Drug/agents	Evidence level	Mechanisms	Reference
Serine protease TMPRSS2	cell	binds the viral spike (S) protein, leading to S protein priming by host cell protease via receptor ACE2	[60]
Serotonin receptor antagonist cinanserin	cell	inhibits the 3 chymotrypsin-like (3C-like) protease	[61]
S protein-angiotensin-converting enzyme-2 (ACE2) blockers	cell	blocks the binding of S protein to ACE2	[4]
Antimalarial chloroquine	clinical use	inhibits the fusion between viral envelope and endosomal/lysosomal membranes	[62]
Protease inhibitors lopinavir/ritonavir (HIV protease inhibitors)	clinical use	may possibly inhibit SARS-CoV-2 protease	[63]
Antiviral ribavirin	cell	may modulate host immunity and/or cause RNA replication catastrophe	[64]
Protease inhibitors nelfinavir	cell	a selective post-translational inhibitor	[65]
Nucleotide analog prodrug remdesivir	cell and clinical use (first case of COVID-19 in the United States)	possible inhibitor of RNA replication	[66, 67]
Indole-derivative molecule arbidol	cell	Inhibits fusion between viral envelope and cellular membranes	[68]
Immunosuppressive agent cyclosporine A	cell	block replication via inhibition of nucleocapsid protein	[69]
Monoclonal antibody CR3022	cell and clinical use	potently binds the receptor binding domain of S protein	[70]
Monoclonal antibody single-chain variable region fragments, scFv, 80R	cell	acts against the S1 domain of S protein	[71]
Monoclonal antibody CR3014	cell	neutralization of viral infectivity	[72]
Immunotherapeutic potential convalescent plasma	cell and clinical use	neutralization of viral infectivity	[73, 74]
Interferons IFN-α and IFN-β	cell	induction of interferon-stimulated genes to suppress viral replication	[75, 76]
Cytokine blocker cytokine IL-37	cell	inhibits inflammation, by acting on mTOR and increasing the activity of adenosine monophosphate kinase	[77]
Cytokine blocker Lianhuaqingwen	cell	anti-inflammation; inhibits IL-6 receptor	[78]
Cytokine blocker antibody against IL-6 receptor	Clinical use	anti-inflammation; inhibits IL-6 receptor