In a study published in the Journal of Neuroimmune Pharmacology, mouse models with COVID-19 showed positive results when a small peptide was introduced nasally. The peptide proved effective in reducing fever, protecting the lungs, improving heart function and reversing cytokine storm — a condition in which an infection triggers the immune system to flood the bloodstream with inflammatory proteins. The researchers also report success in preventing the disease from progression.

Rush University Medical Center. “Potential COVID-19 drug is successful in lab study: Peptide reduced COVID-19 symptoms in mice.” ScienceDaily. http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/01/210119194322.htm (accessed January 20, 2021).

Journal Reference – Ramesh K. Paidi, Malabendu Jana, Rama K. Mishra, Debashis Dutta, Sumita Raha, Kalipada Pahan. ACE-2-interacting Domain of SARS-CoV-2 (AIDS) Peptide Suppresses Inflammation to Reduce Fever and Protect Lungs and Heart in Mice: Implications for COVID-19 Therapy. Journal of Neuroimmune Pharmacology, 2021; DOI: 10.1007/s11481-020-09979-8

Our neighbor Dr. Arlan Richardson at https://nathanshockcenters.org/oklahoma part of the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center knows a lot about mice. I’ll have to ask him what he thinks of the potential of this peptide for human use.