A Nigerian doctoral candidates duo at Michigan Technological University in the United States have pioneered a major research into the novel coronavirus pandemic ravaging the world.
The result of this research was contained in an article titled – “Improving the efficacy of Chloroquine and Hydroxychloroquine against SARS-CoV-2 may require Zinc additives – A better synergy for future COVID-19 clinical trials”
Mujeeb Shittu and his colleague, Femi Afolami, both PhD candidates in Biochemistry and Biological Science respectively co-authored the article, therein they explained how COVID-19 can be treated with the combination of hydroxychloquine with a zinc supplement.
On the implications of the research, Shittu explained, “Zinc is referred to as an essential trace element because it is required in small amount for human health, since our bodies does not store it ,it must be constantly consumed to maintain homeostasis”.
“One way zinc is essential in COVID-19 treatment is that it may slow down the replication of the virus by inhibiting the activity of the enzyme RNA in infected cells of the host”.
“Based on this mechanism, we opined that the administration of HCQ or CQ alone might not be effective against the treatment of the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS-COV-2) especially in a zinc deficient patient ,therefore we recommend clinical trials based on a synergistic administration of Zinc and HCQ against SARS-COV-2 be conducted”, he pointed out.
Their article has gained acclaims from respected academics and fellow researchers across the globe, the Nation reports.
