Hypothesis: The Potential Therapeutic Role of Nicorandil in COVID‐19

Ashour, Hend; Elsayed, Mohamed H.; Elmorsy, Soha; Harb, Inas A.

At present,there is yet no specific antiviral treatment or immunization against the newly identifiedhuman severe acute respiratory syndrome virus (SARS‐CoV2) that results in a rapidly progressive pandemic coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19). We believein a crucial need for a clinical strategy to counteract this viral pandemic based on the known pathogenesis throughout the disease course. Evidence suggests thatexaggerated patient’s inflammatory response and oxidative stressarelikelyto aggravate the disease pathology. The resulting endothelial dysfunction further induces fibrosis and coagulopathy.These disturbancescan generatesevere respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) that canprogress into respiratory and circulatory failure. Nicorandil is an anti‐anginal vasodilator drug acts by increasing nitric oxidebioavailabilityand opening ofK(ATP) channel. Recently, nicorandil is recognized to possess multiple protective effects against tissue injury. Here, we address apossible modulatoryrole of nicorandil against COVID‐19 pathogenesis. We hypothesise nicorandil would be an effective form of adjuvant therapy against COVID‐19.