COVID-19 therapy: Could a chlorophyll derivative promote cellular accumulation of Zn2+ ions to inhibit SARS-CoV-2 RNA synthesis?

While zinc is known as an antiviral, for which it is taken as a dietary supplement, the therapeutic potential of Zn2+ chlorophyll derivatives to treat viral infections such as SARSCoV-2 has not been explored. The rapid uptake of zinc pheophorbide a, a breakdown product of chlorophyll, and consequent release of Zn2+ ions has been shown to have a beneficial therapeutic effect on human adenocarcinoma cell lines through inhibiting viral replication. We propose that a similar approach could be adopted to target SARS-CoV-2-infected lung epithelial cells in vitro. This would pave the way for future clinical therapy to be delivered deep inside human lungs, offering a potential treatment of symptomatic COVID-19 patients.