Ivermectin is Potential Game Changer in COVID-19

Abstract

Ivermectin is an FDA-approved broad spectrum anti-parasitic agent that in recent years we, along with other groups, have shown to have anti-viral activity against a broad range of viruses. Ivermectin, stopped the SARS-CoV-2 virus growing in cell culture within 48 hours. The causative agent of the current COVID-19 pandemic, SARS-CoV-2, is a single stranded positive sense RNA virus that is closely related to severe acute respiratory syndrome corona virus
(SARS-CoV). Studies on SARS-CoV proteins have revealed a potential role for IMPα/β1 during infection in signal-dependent nucleocytoplasmic shutting of the SARS-CoV Nucleocapsid protein that may impact host cell division In addition, the SARSCoV accessory protein ORF6 has been shown to antagonize the antiviral activity of the STAT1 transcription factor by sequestering IMPα/β1 on the rough ER/Golgi membrane Taken together, these reports suggested that ivermectin’s nuclear transport inhibitory activity may be effective against SARS-CoV-2.