Fenofibrate for COVID-19 and related complications as an approach to improve treatment outcomes: the missed key for Holy Grail

Abstract

Introduction Fenofbrate is an agonist of peroxisome proliferator activated receptor alpha (PPAR-α), that possesses antiinfammatory, antioxidant, and anti-thrombotic properties. Fenofbrate is efective against a variety of viral infections and diferent infammatory disorders. Therefore, the aim of critical review was to overview the potential role of fenofbrate in the pathogenesis of SARS-CoV-2 and related complications. Results By destabilizing SARS-CoV-2 spike protein and preventing it from binding angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), a receptor for SARS-CoV-2 entry, fenofbrate can reduce SARS-CoV-2 entry in human cells Fenofbrate also suppresses infammatory signaling pathways, which decreases SARS-CoV-2 infection-related infammatory alterations. In conclusion, fenofbrate anti-infammatory, antioxidant, and antithrombotic capabilities may help to minimize the infammatory and thrombotic consequences associated with SARSCoV-2 infection. Through attenuating the interaction between SARS-CoV-2 and ACE2, fenofbrate can directly reduce the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Conclusions As a result, fenofbrate could be a potential treatment approach for COVID-19 control.