Abstract
An experimental compound (CNS004), reported to have various biological
activities including antiviral, antimalarial, antiprotozoal and
immunomodulatory effects, has been identified to potentiate NMDA subtype
of glutamate receptors that are expressed in human lungs and central
nervous system. We hypothesize that potentiating NMDA receptors will
increase calcium ion influx and promote downstream signaling mechanisms
associated with cellular contractions which is disrupted in severe acute
respiratory syndrome. Pharmacological effects generated by triggering
central nervous system glutamate receptor function, coupled with
concurrent stimulation of the respiratory tract, may produce a
synergetic effect in improving the airway smooth muscle function.
Further, an antiviral activity combined with immunomodulatory effect of
this experimental compound may improve the symptoms of viral diseases.
This novel multipronged intervention to simultaneously inhibit viral
proteins and promote host cell functions would be helpful to develop
clinically useful compounds for the treatment of emerging viral diseases
that deteriorate peripheral and central nervous system function before
causing death in human beings.