Efficacy and limitations of repurposed drugs and vaccines for COVID-19
Nensina Murmu, Mrinmoy Sarkar, Sananda Dey, Rahul Manna, Shreya Roy, Tanushree Mondal, Soma Halder, Nandini Bhattacharjee, Sandeep Kumar Dash, Biplab Giri
Abstract
COVID-19 is a contagious, severe acute respiratory disease caused by the coronavirus named SARS-CoV-2. In this review, we have updated the nature and evolution of SARS-CoV-2 from earlier coronaviruses, highlighting the rate of mutation and pathogenicity of the virus over time. The long-term pathophysiological consequences due to COVID-19 and the application and limitations of repurposing previously established drugs used for the treatment of related symptoms have been discussed and the efficacy of newly developed drugs and vaccines against COVID-19. But these have certain limitations including post-COVID complications like tissue damage and organ failure. We have also summarized the role of natural supplements, physical exercise, yoga, and adequate sleep. Additionally, the possibilities of using mesenchymal stem cell (MSC)-derived exosomes, in post-COVID tissue damage and organ failure have been elaborated, however, further research on manipulating these exosomes for tissue regeneration and healing is required.