The Science Journal of the Lander College of Arts and Sciences
Abstract
The SARS-CoV-2 virus has spread rapidly, resulting in a global pandemic. There is a great need for an effective drug cocktail therapy to combat Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS), a major cause of death due to COVID-19. The two drugs examined are metformin, an antidiabetic medication, and rapamycin. Rapamycin is often prescribed for transplant patients as it has an immunosuppressive effect. The aim of the investigation was to determine the efficacy of metformin and rapamycin in treating COVID-19, and to examine what an effective protocol would look like. These two drugs both inhibit mTOR and can reduce the body’s auto-immune response, which destroys bronchial cells via cytokine storms. Both drugs have a long history of clinical use and have sufficient evidence of efficacy. They possess antiviral properties and downregulate inflammatory markers, making them excellent candidates for further study, both individually and in combination. Rapamycin has been shown to reverse markers of aging and can help repair organ damage. Importantly, metformin can help negate the toxic side effects of the potent rapamycin, while still preserving the positive effects of the compound. Metformin also has been shown to aid those who are at risk of developing ARDS due to comorbidities such as diabetes or hypertension. As such, using metformin as a preventative therapy, either alone or with small doses of rapamycin, may be warranted in patients at risk (Hussain et al, 2020) (Malhotra et al, 2020).
Recommended Citation
Karp, A. (2021). Rapamycin and Metformin in Treating COVID-19. The Science Journal of the Lander College of Arts and Sciences, 14(2), 43-51. Retrieved from https://touroscholar.touro.edu/sjlcas/vol14/iss2/8
