SARS-CoV-2, a positive single-stranded RNA enveloped coronavirus, currently poses a global health threat. Drugs with quinoline scaffolds have long been studied to repurpose their useful broad-spectrum properties into treating various diseases, including viruses. Preliminary studies on the quinoline medications, Chloroquine and Hydroxy chloroquine, against SARS-CoV2, have shown to be a potential area of interest for drug development, due to their ability to prevent viral entry, act as anti-inflammatory modulators, and inhibit key enzymes allowing reduced viral infectivity. In addition to Chloroquine and Hydroxychloroquine, we discuss analogs of the drugs to understand the quinoline scaffold's potential antiviral mechanisms. The heterocyclic scaffold of quinoline can be modified in many ways primarily through the modification of its substituents, we cover these different synthetic derivatives to understand properties that could enhance its antiviral specificity thoroughly. Chloroquine and its analogs can act on various stages of the viral life cycle pre and post entry. In this study, we review Chloroquine and its synthetic and natural analogs for their antiviral properties in a variety of different viruses. Furthermore, we review the compound's potential abilities to attenuate symptoms associated with viral infections. Natural compounds that share scaffolding to Chloroquine can act as antivirals or attenuate symptoms through stimulate the host immune system or reducing oxidative stress. Furthermore, we discuss perspectives of the drug's repurposing due to its ability to inhibit beta-hematin formation and to be a Zinc Ionophore.
An Overview of Natural and Synthetic Analogs of Quinoline for the Prophylaxis of COVID-19. Chloroquine Analogs: An Overview of Natural and Synthetic Quinolines as Broad Spectrum Antiviral Agents