Removing Fuel from Coronavirus Fire: Blocking Superoxide through NOX Inhibition
14 Pages Posted: 29 Jan 2021 Last revised: 11 Feb 2021
Felice L. Bedford
The University of Arizona
Date Written: January 1, 2021
Abstract
Background: The toll of the coronavirus pandemic needs little introduction. The commencement of vaccination is both impressive and welcome but insufficient to achieve the herd immunity. Consequently, additional approaches are urgently needed for pandemic relief.
Hypothesis: Inhibiting the human NADPH oxidase enzyme can reduce the morbidly and mortality of severe coronavirus infection by preventing excess production of superoxide free radicals (oxidative stress), which in turn is the reason behind severe infection. This can be accomplished with the simple time-honored compound apocynin and its derivative paeonol.
Evidence: Evidence is reviewed that the common denominator of who dies from coronavirus, the aged, males, post-menopausal females, African Americans, obesity, diabetics, hypertensives, chronic heart, liver, or kidney disease patients, is oxidative stress. Moreover, the source can be traced specifically to a higher endogenous production of the reactive oxygen species superoxide from NADPH-oxidase activity in all these groups. Evidence is also presented that the current treatments for coronavirus that act on the host (Vitamins C, D, B3, melatonin, and estrogen, nicotine) all decrease NADPH oxidase activity even when not the reason for use. Finally, apocynin’s well-studied use as a highly effective NADPH inhibitor is covered.
Implications: The direct implication is reduction in serious infections and deaths. especially in COVID-vulnerable groups. Apocynin may also be useful for other lethal viruses that co-evolved with bats in the same oxygen-rich milieu, such as Ebola.
An intriguing potential implication is for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Mast Cell Activation Syndrome, and dysautonomia, all resembling symptoms of the COVID long-hauler syndrome. Finally, as the role of NADPH oxidase in conditions of aging such as cardiovascular disease and neurodegeneration is being increasingly recognized, the use of apocynin as the “vitamin of the 21st century” for longevity warrants investigation.
Conclusion: Oxidative bursts kill pathogens but can be exploited by viruses to replicate. By removing this fuel from coronavirus fire, apocynin and peony are well-studied available compounds dating to antiquity that become attractive contenders for rapid pandemic relief.
Keywords: coronavirus, COVID-19, oxidative stress, NADPH oxidase, apocynin, paeonol, white peony, ROS
Suggested Citation:
Bedford, Felice L, Removing Fuel from Coronavirus Fire: Blocking Superoxide through NOX Inhibition (January 1, 2021). Available at SSRN:
https://ssrn.com/abstract=3773896 or
http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3773896
