Lithium and coronaviral infections. A scoping review.
Jan Krzysztof Nowak, Jarosław Walkowiak
Abstract
<ns4:p> The current rapid spread of the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) causing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) calls for a rapid response from the research community. Lithium is widely used to treat bipolar disorder, but has been shown to exhibit antiviral activity. This brief review took a systematic approach to identify six <ns4:italic>in vitro</ns4:italic> studies reporting on the influence of lithium on coronaviral infections. We propose mechanistic investigation of the influence of lithium – alone and with chloroquine – on the SARS-CoV-2 infection. </ns4:p>
Topics & Concepts
Open peer reviewPlant biologyLithium (medication)PhysiologyVirologyMedicineCoronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)Intensive care medicineBiologyPsychiatryPathologyInfectious disease (medical specialty)DiseaseBotanySARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19 Research