loading page

Pre-clinical and randomized clinical trial with bromhexine and N-acetylcysteine for COVID-19
  • +25
  • Marco Clementino,
  • Roberto da Justa Pires Neto,
  • Rafael F. Mesquita,
  • Mariana S. Lima,
  • Ronaldo Martins,
  • Iasmin Ferreira,
  • M. Clementino,
  • Rafhaella Nogueira Della Guardia Gondim,
  • Lyvia Maria Vasconcelos Carneiro Magalhães,
  • Karene Ferreira Cavalcante,
  • Vania Angelica Feitosa Viana,
  • Liana Perdigão Mello,
  • José K. Souza,
  • Xhaulla M.Q.C. Fonseca,
  • Armênio Aguiar dos Santos,
  • Pedro Jorge Caldas Magalhães,
  • Alexandre Havt,
  • Érico Antônio Gomes de Arruda,
  • Juliano P. Souza,
  • Marjorie Pontelli,
  • Italo A. Castro,
  • Thais M. Lima,
  • Rosa Viana,
  • Daniel Macedo de Melo Jorge,
  • Priscyla D. Marcato,
  • Hugo P. Monteiro,
  • Eurico Arruda,
  • Aldo Lima
Marco Clementino
Universidade Federal do Ceara
Author Profile
Roberto da Justa Pires Neto
Hospital Sao Jose de Doencas Infecciosas
Author Profile
Rafael F. Mesquita
Hospital Sao Jose de Doencas Infecciosas
Author Profile
Mariana S. Lima
Universidade Federal do Ceara
Author Profile
Ronaldo Martins
Universidade de Sao Paulo Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirao Preto
Author Profile
Iasmin Ferreira
Universidade de Sao Paulo Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirao Preto
Author Profile
M. Clementino
Universidade Federal do Ceara
Author Profile
Rafhaella Nogueira Della Guardia Gondim
Universidade Federal do Ceara
Author Profile
Lyvia Maria Vasconcelos Carneiro Magalhães
Universidade Federal do Ceara
Author Profile
Karene Ferreira Cavalcante
Secretaria de Vigilancia em Saude
Author Profile
Vania Angelica Feitosa Viana
Secretaria de Vigilancia em Saude
Author Profile
Liana Perdigão Mello
Secretaria de Vigilancia em Saude
Author Profile
José K. Souza
Universidade Federal do Ceara
Author Profile
Xhaulla M.Q.C. Fonseca
Universidade Federal do Ceara
Author Profile
Armênio Aguiar dos Santos
Universidade Federal do Ceara
Author Profile
Pedro Jorge Caldas Magalhães
Universidade Federal do Ceara
Author Profile
Alexandre Havt
Universidade Federal do Ceara
Author Profile
Érico Antônio Gomes de Arruda
Hospital Sao Jose de Doencas Infecciosas
Author Profile
Juliano P. Souza
Universidade de Sao Paulo Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirao Preto
Author Profile
Marjorie Pontelli
Universidade de Sao Paulo Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirao Preto
Author Profile
Italo A. Castro
Universidade de Sao Paulo Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirao Preto
Author Profile
Thais M. Lima
Universidade de Sao Paulo Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirao Preto
Author Profile
Rosa Viana
Universidade de Sao Paulo Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirao Preto
Author Profile
Daniel Macedo de Melo Jorge
Universidade de Sao Paulo Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirao Preto
Author Profile
Priscyla D. Marcato
Universidade de Sao Paulo Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirao Preto
Author Profile
Hugo P. Monteiro
Universidade Federal de Sao Paulo
Author Profile
Eurico Arruda
Universidade de Sao Paulo Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirao Preto
Author Profile
Aldo Lima
Universidade Federal do Ceara

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

Author Profile

Abstract

Treatment options for mild to moderate COVID-19 is limited. N-acetylcysteine and bromhexine have antiviral activity and show potential as treatment options against SARS-CoV-2 infections. This study evaluates the in vitro antiviral effect of bromhexine (BMX) for SARS-CoV-2 and determines the efficacy of treatment with BMX in combination with N-acetylcysteine (NAC) to reduce clinical scores in patients with mild to moderate COVID-19. Upon evidence from pre-clinical studies, a single center randomized trial of BMX + NAC (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04928495) with 420 participants in total took place in Fortaleza, CE, Brazil. Out of the 420 participants 140 received placebo, 140 received NAC alone, and 140 received NAC + BMX. Patients were monitored for 10-14 days, where physicians recorded all signs and symptoms reported. Nasopharyngeal swabs and blood samples were collected for SARS-CoV-2 RNA testing during the first visit, as well as 3 and 10 days after. Blood samples were collected at first visit and 10 days after for immuno-inflammatory biomarkers measurements. Treatment with NAC+BMX reduced clinical scores and symptoms when compared to placebo group (2/26; 8% vs 7/18; 39%; p < 0.05). Fever (≥37.8°C) was reduced by NAC + BMX treatment when compared to treatment with NAC alone and placebo. This study was limited by a largely vaccinated population. Our analysis showed that BMX reduces SARS-CoV-2 infection in vitro. Clinical trial results suggested that combinatory treatment with NAC + BMX is beneficial in mild to moderate COVID-19.