Anti-Inflammatory Properties of Drugs Used to Control COVID-19 and their Effects on the Renin-Angiotensin System and Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme-2

Abstract

Covid-19 infection is associated with systemic inflammation, as do other infections. COVID-19 in some patients is associated with hyperinflammatory responses, which might lead to a cytokine storm. This phenomenon plays a major role in COVID-19 severity and death, and usually associated with poor disease prognosis. Higher levels of inflammatory hallmarks including C-reactive protein, ferritin, D-dimers, and cytokines such as L-6, IL-10, and TNF-α has been observed in severe cases of the disease. Many anti-viral drugs have been tried to eradicate the virus, none were proven fully effective. Supportive care and management of the complications that are caused mainly by inflammation might be the key element for greater survival rates and shorter periods of mechanical ventilation and overall hospitalization. However, the efficacy of these treatments still needs well-planned clinical trials. In such trials, careful attention must be paid to the duration of the treatment, the onset of beneficial effects, and the severity of the disease, otherwise, the outcomes may still remain inconclusive. Herein, we present a review of the current drugs, which are being used in the management of the disease and their anti-inflammatory properties. We also investigated if these drugs directly interact with ACE 2, which is a crucial component of the virus entry to the cells.