Harnessing the Power of Venomous Animal-Derived Toxins against COVID-19
Isadora Oliveira,
Isabela Ferreira,
Beatriz Jacob,
Kiara Cardenas,
Felipe Cerni,
Djane Baia-da-Silva,
Eliane Arantes,
Wuelton Monteiro,
Manuela Pucca
Affiliations
Isadora Oliveira
Department of BioMolecular Sciences, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto 14040-903, SP, Brazil
Isabela Ferreira
Department of BioMolecular Sciences, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto 14040-903, SP, Brazil
Beatriz Jacob
Department of BioMolecular Sciences, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto 14040-903, SP, Brazil
Kiara Cardenas
Medical School, Federal University of Roraima, Boa Vista 69310-000, RR, Brazil
Felipe Cerni
Health Sciences Postgraduate Program, Federal University of Roraima, Boa Vista 69310-000, RR, Brazil
Djane Baia-da-Silva
Institute of Clinical Research Carlos Borborema, Dr. Heitor Vieira Dourado Tropical Medicine Foundation, Manaus 69850-000, AM, Brazil
Eliane Arantes
Department of BioMolecular Sciences, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto 14040-903, SP, Brazil
Wuelton Monteiro
Institute of Clinical Research Carlos Borborema, Dr. Heitor Vieira Dourado Tropical Medicine Foundation, Manaus 69850-000, AM, Brazil
Manuela Pucca
Medical School, Federal University of Roraima, Boa Vista 69310-000, RR, Brazil
Animal-derived venoms are complex mixtures of toxins triggering important biological effects during envenomings. Although venom-derived toxins are known for their potential of causing harm to victims, toxins can also act as pharmacological agents. During the COVID-19 pandemic, there was observed an increase in in-depth studies on antiviral agents, and since, to date, there has been no completely effective drug against the global disease. This review explores the crosstalk of animal toxins and COVID-19, aiming to map potential therapeutic agents derived from venoms (e.g., bees, snakes, scorpions, etc.) targeting COVID-19.
