Could chlorophyllins improve the safety profile of beta-d-N4-hydroxycytidine versus N-hydroxycytidine, the active ingredient of the SARS-CoV-2 antiviral molnupiravir?

Abstract

Plain Language Summary Could natural plant pigment (chlorophyll) derivatives (chlorophyllins) improve the safety of the antiviral Molnupiravir, used to treat COVID-19 disease? Molnupiravir, a specific SARS-CoV-2 antiviral, may cause adverse genetic changes and thereby create potential host cell damage (through genotoxicity and DNA stressors). In our opinion, this side effect of treatment could be reduced if the antiviral was taken as a combined therapy with chlorophyllins. Specifically, we hypothesise that chlorophyllins might improve the overall effectiveness of molnupiravir, typically used to treat patients suffering from COVID-19. Chlorophyllins, antioxidants derived from natural plant chlorophyll, are safe, effective and non-toxic antioxidants that could combat possible genotoxic flow-on effects of molnupiravir. In addition, as they possess antiviral properties, treatment with chlorophyllins may enhance the overall antiviral effect via a mechanism different to molnupiravir.

Discovering common pathogenetic processes between COVID-19 and tuberculosis by bioinformatics and system biology approach

“…This binding can impede SARS-CoV-2 reverse transcription and ultimately reduce the lung viral load (Roy et al, 2023). ( 4) The application of chlorophyllin and molnupiravir as a specific antiviral drug for SARS-CoV-2 can diminish the detrimental genetic alterations and host cell harm caused by molnupiravir while enhancing the therapeutic effectiveness (Clark et al, 2022).…”