Cardiac Glycosides And Covid-19: Would It Be A Promising Therapeutic Approach?

Cardiac glycosides have been found to have an anti-viral effect. This was noted in the past during various epidemics including MERS and SARS. It is due to their inhibitory effect on the Na, K-ATPase membrane pump. Furthermore, they exhibit antiinflammatory properties. These preclinical observations may prove useful in further clinical utility of these well-known compounds in the current COVID-19 pandemic.