Potential pharmacologic treatments for COVID-19 smell and taste loss: A comprehensive review

Abstract

The acute loss of taste and smell following COVID-19 are hallmark symptoms that affect 20–85% of patients. However, the pathophysiology and potential treatments of COVID-19 smell and taste loss are not fully understood. We searched the literature to review the potential pathologic pathways and treatment options for COVID-19 smell and taste loss. The interaction of novel coronavirus with ACE-2 receptors expressed on sustentacular cells and taste buds results in direct damage to the olfactory and gustatory systems. Also, the invasion of the virus to the olfactory neurons and consequent local inflammation are other proposed mechanisms. Therefore, COVID-19 patients with smell or taste loss may benefit from neuroprotective, anti-inflammatory, or depolarizing agents. Based on the current evidence, phosphodiesterase inhibitors, insulin, and corticosteroids can be promising for the management of COVID-19 smell and taste loss. This review provided crucial information for treating COVID-19-related smell and/or taste loss, urging to perform large clinical trials to find optimum treatment options.

Management of Anosmia in COVID-19: A Comprehensive Review

“…These are not expressed in the olfactory epithelium; instead, they are seen in supportive olfactory cells, stem cells, and perivascular cells [12], the sustentacular cells, or the supporting cells cushion the olfactory receptor neurons. Hence, any damage to the sustentacular cells can indirectly cause olfactory dysfunction [13]. This proposes that non-neuronal cells are involved in the changes in the perception of smell in COVID-19 [9,12,14].…”

Chemosensory loss in COVID‐19

“…So far, these inhibitors have been studied in very small sample sizes with insufficient frequency and limited reliability. In the context of COVID‐19, corticosteroids are the most studied among potential treatment options, and despite its ability to block inflammation, its use for SARS‐CoV‐2‐induced anosmia and ageusia may pose other health risks (Khani et al, 2021 ).…”

New bis hydrazone: Synthesis, X-ray crystal structure, DFT computations, conformational study and in silico study of the inhibition activity of SARS-CoV-2

“…Despite significant progress in COVID-19 disease treatment tools, effective therapies for managing the novel coronavirus disease's long-term complications (COVID-19) are still lacking. COVID-19 is now found to affect other parts of the body in addition to the respiratory system [3] . In the meantime, the search for the appropriate vaccines and the effective drugs continues.…”