The Leukotriene Receptor Antagonist Montelukast as a Potential COVID-19 Therapeutic

COVID-19 has prompted research into treatments focusing on limiting viral entry, reducing inflammation and cytokine storms, addressing thrombosis and vascular damage, and mitigating lung injury. Leukotrienes, mediators of inflammation and tissue damage, are identified as potential drug targets because they are involved in lung pathologies like vascular damage, thrombosis, and fibrotic response. Montelukast, a leukotriene receptor antagonist, is suggested as a potential therapeutic for COVID-19 due to its role in addressing these mechanisms.

• 1
  Leukotrienes (LTs), particularly cysteinyl-leukotrienes (Cys-LTs) and their receptors, are identified as potential drug targets in modulating various aspects of COVID-19 pathology, including inflammation, thrombosis, vascular damage, and fibrotic response.
• 2
  Montelukast, a selective CysLTR1 antagonist, is currently used for the treatment of asthma, allergic rhinitis, and exercise-induced bronchoconstriction; it prevents signaling of LTs by blocking CysLTR1.
• 3
  Montelukast might exert extra-pulmonary protective effects in the context of COVID-19, including promoting CNS repair, regeneration, and rejuvenation in animal models, and potentially alleviating cardiovascular symptoms.