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bioRxiv · 10.1101/2020.04.14.041228

The FDA-approved gold drug Auranofin inhibits novel coronavirus (SARS-COV-2) replication and attenuates inflammation in human cells

Rothan, H.·Stone, S.·Natekar, J.·Kumari, P.·Arora, K.·Kumar, M.
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Abstract

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.

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Rothan, H., Stone, S., Natekar, J., Kumari, P., Arora, K., Kumar, M.. 2020-04-15. The FDA-approved gold drug Auranofin inhibits novel coronavirus (SARS-COV-2) replication and attenuates inflammation in human cells. https://doi.org/10.1101/2020.04.14.041228

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