Linaclotide for COVID-19

Linaclotide may be beneficial for COVID-19 according to the studies below. COVID-19 involves the interplay of 400+ viral and host proteins and factors providing many therapeutic targets. Scientists have proposed 11,000+ potential treatments. c19early.org analyzes 210+ treatments. We have not reviewed linaclotide in detail.
Mohammadian et al., Identification of Candidate Inhibitors to SARS-CoV-2’s Enzymes and Potential Disruptors of Its Structural Proteins’ Interactions, Advanced Biomedical Research, doi:10.4103/abr.abr_138_23
Background: Many studies have assessed the possible inhibitors for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). However, experiences like that from human immunodeficiency virus have taught us that a multidrug approach will reduce the chance of viral resistance. Materials and Methods: Here, we screened 2371 Food and Drug Administration-approved drugs for possible inhibition of nonstructural proteins of SARS-CoV-2 and expanded the work to include ligands that might interfere with the roles of structural proteins. Three different algorithms were used and suggested hits obtained using qVina were verified using Autodock Vina and leDock software. Results: Our results suggest direct-acting antivirals against hepatitis C might be efficient against SARS-CoV-2. Conclusions: Drug repurposing is a promising approach for the rapid identification of potential treatments for emerging diseases such as coronavirus disease.
Kumar et al., Advancements in the development of antivirals against SARS-Coronavirus, Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology, doi:10.3389/fcimb.2025.1520811
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (SARS-CoV) caused an outbreak in 2002-2003, spreading to 29 countries with a mortality rate of about 10%. Strict quarantine and infection control methods quickly stopped the spread of the disease. Later research showed that SARS-CoV came from animals (zoonosis) and stressed the possibility of a similar spread from host to human, which was clearly shown by the COVID-19 outbreak. The COVID-19 pandemic, instigated by SARS-CoV-2, has affected 776 million confirmed cases and more than seven million deaths globally as of Sept 15, 2024. The existence of animal reservoirs of coronaviruses continues to pose a risk of re-emergence with improved fitness and virulence. Given the high death rate (up to 70 percent) and the high rate of severe sickness (up to 68.7 percent in long-COVID patients), it is even more critical to identify new therapies as soon as possible. This study combines research on antivirals that target SARS coronaviruses that have been conducted over the course of more than twenty years. It is a beneficial resource that might be useful in directing future studies.