A Review on Peptide-based Therapeutics For Combatting COVID-19

2023-04-26T09:16:35+00:00

Recent breakthroughs in peptide exploration have led to revolutionary medicinal discoveries for a number of
different infectious illnesses. An immediate need exists for the development of viable treatment alternatives
in light of the continuing danger of the COVID-19 pandemic. Peptide inhibitors have notable potential for the
management of developing viral infections since they are safe, effective, and selective. Antiviral peptides may
be rationally engineered and optimally formulated using information about the 3D structures of viral proteins
and the cells they target. The resultant peptides may have broad antiviral action or be extremely selective for
certain targets and targeted viral infections. In this article, we discuss the research done so far on severe acute
respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) peptide medicines. Thus far, attempts to repurpose peptide
medicines with antiviral and antibacterial properties have failed. Targeting the link between the SARS-CoV-2
spike protein and the ACE-2 (Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme-2) that initiates cellular infection and viral
replication has yielded the most promising discoveries, albeit by no means the only ones. While there exists no
approved therapy for SARS-CoV-2, the experience gained in developing peptide drugs for this virus suggests
that this approach may now be preferable to the use of smaller molecules.

Assessment of the Patterns of Immunoglobulin G and M Levels in HIV Serodiscordant Couples

2023-04-26T09:00:59+00:00

This longitudinal study assessed the patterns of immunoglobulin G and M levels in HIV serodiscordant couples. A total of
20 serodiscordant HIV couples (40 patients) and 20 controls (40 HIV seronegative couples) were randomly recruited for
the study. Five milliliters of venous blood samples were collected from each of the participants at baseline, after 6 months,
and after 12 months follow up period respectively for the determination of Immunoglobulin G (IgG) and Immunoglobulin
M (IgM) levels using immunoturbidimetric method. Results showed thatthere was a statistically significant decrease in the
mean serum level of IgG in the HIV discordant test group at baseline and 6 months than in the control group (p=0.000)
but remained similar after 12 months follow up (p=0.081). The mean serum IgM level observed in the HIV discordant test
group did not differ significantly (p>0.05) compared to the control group at baseline, after 6 months, and 12 months follow
up respectively. The mean serum levels of IgG was significantly decreased in the male test group compared to male controls
at baseline and 6 months but were similar at 12 months whereas there were no significant differences observed in
serum levels of IgG in the female test groups at baseline, 6 months and 12 months follow up respectively. Furthermore, the
mean serum IgM levels in both the male and female test groups did not differ significantly at baseline and after 6 months
follow up compared with the male and female control group respectively. However, the mean serum IgM levels in the male
test group was significantly decreased after 12 months follow up compared with the male control group. Therefore, HIV
serodiscordance status may influence the serum IgG and IgM levels in affected individuals. Further studies are necessary
to unravel the mechanism behind these findings.

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF APPLIED PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCES AND RESEARCH

A Review on Peptide-based Therapeutics For Combatting COVID-19

Assessment of the Patterns of Immunoglobulin G and M Levels in HIV Serodiscordant Couples