Potential Drugs for the Treatment of COVID-19: Synthesis, Brief History and Application

Coronaviruses (CoVs) belong to the Betacoronavirus group, an unusually large RNA genome characterized by club-like spikes that project from their surface. An outbreak of a novel coronavirus 2019 (nCOVID-19) already showed a unique replication strategy and infection that has posed significant threat to international health and the economy around the globe. Scientists around the world are investigating few previously used clinical drugs for the treatment of COVID-19. This review provides synthesis and mode of action of recently investigated drugs like Chloroquine, Hydroxychloroquine, Ivermectin, Selamectin, Remdesivir, Baricitinib, Darunavir, Favipiravir, Lopinavir/ ritonavir and Mefloquine hydrochloride that constitute an option for COVID-19 treatment.