RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 The FDA- approved gold drug Auranofin inhibits novel coronavirus (SARS-COV-2) replication and attenuates inflammation in human cells
JF bioRxiv
FD Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory
SP 2020.04.14.041228
DO 10.1101/2020.04.14.041228
A1 Rothan, Hussin A.
A1 Stone, Shannon
A1 Natekar, Janhavi
A1 Kumari, Pratima
A1 Arora, Komal
A1 Kumar, Mukesh
YR 2020
UL http://biorxiv.org/content/early/2020/04/15/2020.04.14.041228.abstract
AB SARS-COV-2 has recently emerged as a new public health threat. Herein, we report that the FDA-approved gold drug, auranofin, inhibits SARS-COV-2 replication in human cells at low micro molar concentration. Treatment of cells with auranofin resulted in a 95% reduction in the viral RNA at 48 hours after infection. Auranofin treatment dramatically reduced the expression of SARS-COV-2-induced cytokines in human cells. These data indicate that auranofin could be a useful drug to limit SARS-CoV-2 infection and associated lung injury due to its anti-viral, anti-inflammatory and anti-ROS properties. Auranofin has a well-known toxicity profile and is considered safe for human use.Competing Interest StatementThe authors have declared no competing interest.