Melatonin
18
melatonin clinical
studies (8 RCTs)
953-970 show
efficacy, confirmed in multiple additional meta-analyses
1603-1609.
Extensive preclinical research supports efficacy
(v),1610-1617.
Potential mechanisms include antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and
antithrombotic effects, immune modulation, regulation of autophagy, modulation
of the renin-angiotensin system, promotion of sleep and circadian rhythm, and
mitigation of cytokine storm.
Colchicine
54
colchicine clinical
studies (30 RCTs)
584,972-1024 show
efficacy, confirmed in multiple additional meta-analyses
1618-1627.
Preclinical research supports efficacy
122,1584.
Potential mechanisms include direct antiviral activity,
immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory effects, cardioprotective effects, and
prevention of microvascular thrombosis.
Results are poor with very late treatment
988—risks due
to side effects may exceed benefits.
Fluvoxamine
21
fluvoxamine clinical
studies (10 RCTs)
1126-1146 show
efficacy, confirmed in multiple additional meta-analyses
1650-1658.
See
Kirsch et al. for additional evidence and analysis
1659.
Preclinical research supports efficacy
(x),148,1660-1662.
Potential mechanisms include ASM inhibition, σ-1 receptor activation,
antiplatelet effects, endolysosomal interference, HO-1 increase, reduced cytokine
storm, and elevated melatonin.
Complementary/synergistic actions,
viral evolution, escape risk suggest polytherapy
There are many complementary mechanisms of action for COVID-19 treatments, with
over 500 therapeutic targets
1766.
Studies show complementary and
synergistic effects with polytherapy
248,1223,1233,1428,1444,1445,1447,1453,1456,1696,1697,1767-1780.
For example, Jitobaom et al.
1223 shows >10x reduction in
IC
50 with ivermectin and niclosamide, an RCT by Said et
al.
1770 showed the combination of nigella sativa and vitamin D was
more effective than either alone, and an RCT by Wannigama et
al.
1137 showed improved results with fluvoxamine combined with
additional treatments, compared to fluvoxamine alone.
SARS-CoV-2 can rapidly acquire mutations altering infectivity,
disease severity, and drug resistance even without selective
pressure
1781-1788.
Antigenic drift can undermine more
variant-specific treatments like monoclonal antibodies and more specific
antivirals. Treatment with targeted antivirals may select for escape
mutations
1789.
The efficacy of treatments varies depending on cell
type
1790 due to differences in viral receptor expression, drug
distribution and metabolism, and cell-specific mechanisms.
Efficacy may also vary based on genetic
variants
1791-1801.
Variable efficacy across variants, cell types, tissues, and
host genetics, along with the complementary and synergistic actions of different
treatments, all point to greater efficacy with polytherapy.
In many studies, the standard of care given to all patients includes other
treatments—efficacy seen in these trials may rely in part on
synergistic effects.
Less variant specific treatments and polytherapy targeting multiple viral and
host proteins may be more effective.
Meta-analysis of all early treatment trials shows 71% [60‑79%] lower risk
for studies using combined treatments, compared to 27% [24‑30%] for single
treatments.

c19early.org
Dedication.
This work is dedicated to top
evidence-based physicians that worked tirelessly to analyze evidence and greatly reduce
mortality and morbidity during the pandemic. In alphabetical order:
Dr. Thomas J. Borody, Dr. Mary Talley Bowden, Dr. Flavio Cadegiani, Dr. Shankara Chetty,
Dr. Ryan Cole, Dr. George Fareed, Dr. Sabine Hazan, Dr. Pierre Kory, Dr. Tess Lawrie, Dr.
Robert Malone, Dr. Paul Marik, Dr. Peter McCullough, Dr. Didier Raoult, Dr. Harvey Risch,
Dr. Jackie Stone, Dr. Brian Tyson, Dr. Joseph Varon, and Dr. Vladimir Zelenko.
Page 358 in the appendix shows 36% lower ongoing persistent COVID-19 specific symptoms (p<0.0001) when combining the individual symptom results. Authors report a 28% reduction (p=0.015), not mentioned in the abstract or conclusion. This appears to be a one of any symptom analysis,
effectively increasing the weight of the more common “fatigue”, reducing the perceived effect
(the difference does not appear to be due to adjustments - the adjustments in Table S6 to
Table S39 make minimal difference). This is for very late and poorly administered treatment taken
by only 89% of patients in a relatively low-risk population - benefits may
be much greater with recommended usage and in high-risk patients.
Prof. Sander Greenland demonstrates
176 that the Bayesian model applied an extremely tight, null-centered prior that was never reported in the paper. This prior pulls the frequentist hazard ratio for time-to-recovery down and slashes the posterior probability that the benefit reaches the trial's own “clinically meaningful” threshold of HR≥1.2. Even with the shrinkage, the posterior probability of any benefit exceeds 0.9999, well above the protocol's 0.99 superiority bar, however authors label ivermectin “unlikely to provide clinically meaningful improvement.” Greenland argues that the unexplained prior acts like a hidden penalty, lacks empirical justification, and biases the analysis toward the null, thereby allowing the authors to downplay results their own decision rules would otherwise classify as superior. Author notes the strong priors are not justified by previous trials and suggests that they reflect social pressure to discredit ivermectin.
Ivermectin, better known for antiparasitic activity, is a broad spectrum antiviral with activity against many viruses including H7N7
1373, Dengue
124,1374,1375, HIV-1
1375, Simian virus 40
1376, Zika
124,1377,1378, West Nile
1378, Yellow Fever
1379,1380, Japanese encephalitis
1379, Chikungunya
1380, Semliki Forest virus
1380, Human papillomavirus
1381, Epstein-Barr
1381, BK Polyomavirus
1382, and Sindbis virus
1380.
Ivermectin inhibits importin-α/β-dependent nuclear import of viral proteins
1373,1375,1376,1383, shows spike-ACE2 disruption at 1nM with microfluidic diffusional sizing
1384, binds to glycan sites on the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein preventing interaction with blood and epithelial cells and inhibiting hemagglutination
1385,1386, shows dose-dependent inhibition of wildtype and omicron variants
1387, exhibits dose-dependent inhibition of lung injury
1388,1389, may inhibit SARS-CoV-2 via IMPase inhibition
124, may inhibit SARS-CoV-2 induced formation of fibrin clots resistant to degradation
1390, inhibits SARS-CoV-2 3CL
pro1391, may inhibit SARS-CoV-2 RdRp activity
1392,1393, may minimize viral myocarditis by inhibiting NF-κB/p65-mediated inflammation in macrophages
1394, may be beneficial for COVID-19 ARDS by blocking GSDMD and NET formation
1395, may interfere with SARS-CoV-2's immune evasion via ORF8 binding
1396, may inhibit SARS-CoV-2 by disrupting CD147 interaction
1397-1400, may inhibit SARS-CoV-2 attachment to lipid rafts via spike NTD binding
1401, shows protection against inflammation, cytokine storm, and mortality in an LPS mouse model sharing key pathological features of severe COVID-19
1402,1403, may be beneficial in severe COVID-19 by binding IGF1 to inhibit the promotion of inflammation, fibrosis, and cell proliferation that leads to lung damage
1404, significantly mitigates bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis by reducing collagen accumulation and inflammatory cell infiltration
1405, improves oxidative stress markers while suppressing myofibroblast proliferation
1405, mitigates lung pathology and anosmia in vivo while regulating the CXCL10/CXCL5 inflammatory axis via P2X4 and α7nAChR receptor modulation
1406, may minimize SARS-CoV-2 induced cardiac damage
1407,1408, may counter immune evasion by inhibiting NSP15-TBK1/KPNA1 interaction and restoring IRF3 activation
52, may disrupt SARS-CoV-2 N and ORF6 protein nuclear transport and their suppression of host interferon responses
1409, reduces TAZ/YAP nuclear import, relieving SARS-CoV-2-driven suppression of IRF3 and NF-κB antiviral pathways
1410, increases Bifidobacteria which play a key role in the immune system
1411, has immunomodulatory
1412 and anti-inflammatory
1413,1414 properties, and has an extensive and very positive safety profile
1415.
A systematic review and meta-analysis of 15 non-COVID-19 preclinical studies showed that metformin inhibits pulmonary inflammation and oxidative stress, minimizes lung injury, and improves survival in animal models of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) or acute lung injury (ALI)
1517.
Metformin inhibits SARS-CoV-2
in vitro719,1518, minimizes LPS-induced cytokine storm in a mouse model
1519, minimizes lung damage and fibrosis in a mouse model of LPS-induced ARDS
800, may protect against SARS-CoV-2-induced neurological disorders
1520, may be beneficial via inhibitory effects on ORF3a-mediated inflammasome activation
1521, reduces UUO and FAN-induced kidney fibrosis
800, increases mitochondrial function and decreases TGF-β-induced fibrosis, apoptosis, and inflammation markers in lung epithelial cells
800, may reduce inflammation, oxidative stress, and thrombosis via regulating glucose metabolism
1522, attenuates spike protein S1-induced inflammatory response and α-synuclein aggregation
1523, may protect against COVID-19 cognitive impairment by suppressing HIF-1α stabilization and reducing neurodegenerative protein aggregation
112, may reduce COVID-19 severity and long COVID by inhibiting NETosis via suppression of protein kinase C activation
1524, enhances interferon responses and reduces SARS-CoV-2 infection and inflammation in diabetic models by suppressing HIF-1α signaling
1525, may improve COVID-19 outcomes by preventing VDAC1 mistargeting to the plasma membrane, reducing ATP loss, and preserving immune cell function during cytokine storm
116, reduces hyperglycemia-induced hepatic ACE2/TMPRSS2 up-regulation and SARS-CoV-2 entry
1526, may reduce COVID-19 severity by suppressing monocyte inflammatory responses and glycolytic activation via AMPK pathway modulation
1527, may reduce glycolytic capacity and restrict SARS-CoV-2 replication via boosting mitochondrial OXPHOS with AMPK/PGC-1α activation
102, and may improve outcomes via modulation of immune responses with increased anti-inflammatory T lymphocyte gene expression and via enhanced gut microbiota diversity
1528.
In silico studies predict inhibition of SARS-CoV-2 with curcumin or metabolites via binding to the spike
(j),1416,1553-1559 (and specifically the receptor binding domain
(k),1560-1565), M
pro(l),1416,1554,1555,1557,1558,1561-1563,1566-1573, RNA-dependent RNA polymerase
(m),1416,1558,1562,1563,1574, PLpro
(n),1416, ACE2
(o),1203,1556,1564,1572, nucleocapsid
(p),1443,1575, nsp10
(q),1443, and helicase
(r),1576 proteins, and inhibition of spike-ACE2 interaction
(s),1565,1577.
In vitro studies demonstrate inhibition of the spike
(j),1216 (and specifically the receptor binding domain
(k),1578), M
pro(l),1216,1573,1579,1580, ACE2
(o),1578, and TMPRSS2
(t),1578 proteins, and inhibition of spike-ACE2 interaction
(s),1577,1581.
Curcumin decreases pro-inflammatory cytokines induced by SARS-CoV-2 in peripheral blood mononuclear cells
1582, alleviates SARS-CoV-2 spike protein-induced mitochondrial membrane damage and oxidative stress
1583, may limit COVID-19 induced cardiac damage by inhibiting the NF-κB signaling pathway which mediates the profibrotic effects of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein on cardiac fibroblasts
1584, is predicted to inhibit the interaction between the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein receptor binding domain and the human ACE2 receptor for the delta and omicron variants
1560, lowers ACE2 and STAT3, curbing lung inflammation and ARDS in preclinical COVID-19 models
1585, inhibits SARS-CoV-2 ORF3a ion channel activity, which contributes to viral pathogenicity and cytotoxicity
1586, has direct virucidal action by disrupting viral envelope integrity
1587, may inhibit viral replication and modulate inflammatory pathways like NF-κB via SIRT1 activation
166, and can function as a photosensitizer in photodynamic therapy to generate reactive oxygen species that damage the virus
1587.
Melatonin may restore altered redox homeostasis in COVID-19
1610, modulates type III interferon responses and reduces inflammatory cytokine production in TLR3 receptor agonist stimulated viral inflammation while preserving tissue integrity
1611, and negatively regulates genes critical for viral entry in lung tissue, including reduced expression of FURIN and components of the CD147 complex, while potentially disrupting TMPRSS2/ACE2-mediated entry mechanisms
1612.
Melatonin reduces oxidative stress, inhibits NET formation, and protects tissues through anti-inflammatory and antioxidant actions
1613.
Severe COVID-19 is marked by endotheliopathy with elevated von Willebrand factor (VWF) levels and platelet/VWF-rich microthrombi; N-acetylcysteine can reduce VWF multimers and lyse VWF-dependent clots in vivo, potentially helping to alleviate thrombosis associated with COVID-19
1638-1640.
N-acetylcysteine shows dose-dependent inhibition of SARS-CoV-2
1641-1643, shows anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects against SARS-CoV-2-induced immune responses in combination with bromelain
1644, suppressed virus-induced reactive oxygen species and blocked viral replication in a humanized mouse model and in human lung cells
1645, may limit COVID-19 induced cardiac damage by boosting cellular antioxidant defenses and potentially mitigating the oxidative stress caused by spike protein-induced ROS production in cardiac fibroblasts
1584, and reduces disulfide bonds in proteins and exhibits antioxidant properties that may inhibit viral replication and modulate inflammatory responses
1646.
NAC may be beneficial for COVID-19 by replenishing glutathione stores and reinforcing the glutathione peroxidase-4 pathway to inhibit ferroptosis, an oxidative stress-induced cell death pathway implicated in COVID-19
1647.
NAC reinforces glutathione levels, reduces ROS, and minimizes ferroptosis and cytokine storm
1613.
In silico studies predict inhibition of SARS-CoV-2, or minimization of side effects, with quercetin or metabolites via binding to the spike
(j),1205,1416,1554,1558,1572,1702-1710 (and specifically the receptor binding domain
(k),1563), M
pro(l),1205,1416,1554,1558,1563,1569,1572,1705,1706,1708,1711-1725, RNA-dependent RNA polymerase
(m),1416,1558,1563,1708,1726,1727, PLpro
(n),1416,1713,1718, ACE2
(o),1203,1572,1704,1709,1713,1714,1728, TMPRSS2
(t),1704, nucleocapsid
(p),1416, helicase
(r),1416,1712,1729, endoribonuclease
(y),1702, NSP16/10
(z),1730, cathepsin L
(aa),1731, Wnt-3
(ab),1704, FZD
(ac),1704, LRP6
(ad),1704, ezrin
(ae),1732, ADRP
(af),1205, NRP1
(ag),1709, EP300
(ah),1733, PTGS2
(ai),1714, HSP90AA1
(aj),1714,1733, matrix metalloproteinase 9
(ak),1734, IL-6
(al),1735,1736, IL-10
(am),1735, VEGFA
(an),1736, and RELA
(ao),1736 proteins, and inhibition of spike-ACE2 interaction
(s),1737.
In vitro studies demonstrate inhibition of the M
pro(l),1573,1720,1738,1739 protein, and inhibition of spike-ACE2 interaction
(s),1581.
Animal studies demonstrate efficacy in K18-hACE2 mice
(ap),1740, db/db mice
(aq),1741,1742, BALB/c mice
(ar),1743, and rats
1744.
Quercetin reduced proinflammatory cytokines and protected lung and kidney tissue against LPS-induced damage in mice
1743, inhibits LPS-induced cytokine storm by modulating key inflammatory and antioxidant pathways in macrophages
1745, may block ACE2-spike interaction and NLRP3 inflammasome, limiting viral entry and inflammation
18, upregulates the SIRT1/AMPK axis to inhibit oxidative injury and accelerate viral clearance
166, inhibits SARS-CoV-2 ORF3a ion channel activity, which contributes to viral pathogenicity and cytotoxicity
1586, may alleviate COVID-19 ARDS via inhibition of EGFR and JAK2 inflammatory targets
32, may destabilize the Spike protein, IL-6R, and integrins via conserved residues, blocking viral entry, hyperinflammation, and platelet aggregation
25, and may reduce COVID-19 neuroinflammation and cognitive dysfunction through anti-inflammatory mechanisms and neuroprotective effects
1746.