Potential Mechanistic Investigation of Bromhexine for the Treatment of COVID-19

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To investigate antiviral mechanism of bromhexine for the treatment of COVID-19. METHODS: Based on the existing literature, the infection pathways of new coronavirus(SARS-CoV-2) were systematically summarized by us, and used the SWISSDOCK molecular simulation method to carry out virtual screen systematically for key targets and marketed drugs. RESULTS: TMPRSS2/ACE2 pathway was found to be the most efficient and probably the major pathway for SARS-CoV-2 virus to infect the lung and other tissue by us. Bromhexine, an expectorant, can strongly inhibit TMPRSS2 protease (EC 50:0.75 μmol•L -1) in vitro. Bromhexine has few adverse effects and also has the beneficial effects of promoting the release and maintenance of endogenous active substances in the lung, alveolar function, and promoting sputum excretion, which is suitable for use together with other COVID19 medication and therapies. CONCLUSION: Bromhexine has a unique potential antiviral mechanism, and clinical research should be conducted to play its role in the prevention, treatment and prognosis of COVID19.