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The Chloroquine Conundrum
By Nana Dadzie Ghansah
Chloroquine was once upon a time the premier anti-malarial. Not much anymore due primarily to the resistance the malaria parasite, Plasmodium, developed against it.
These days, it and its hydroxy version are used mainly for the treatment of auto-immune conditions like Lupus and Rheumatoid arthritis.
However, researchers have always tried to harness the anti-pathogenic and immunomodulatory properties of Chloroquine against viruses. In vitro, it has been shown to kill viruses like chikungunya, dengue, and influenzas. However, animal and human trials have been disappointing.
After the SARS epidemic, researchers looked at the effect of chloroquine on the SARS virus. It was found that the drug affected the entry of the virus into the cell by hindering the glycosylation of the ACE-II receptor the virus uses to enter the cell. Moreover, chloroquine affected the ph of the cell interior, making it inhospitable for the virus.
After COVID-19 broke out and it was found to use the same receptor as SARs-CoV, it was a no-brainer that Chinese doctors would try the chloroquine as a treatment.
Another reason it found wide use after the outbreak was its effect on the release of cytokines. One of the hallmarks of COVID-19 is ARDS. It is believed that the excessive…
