3'-DMT-dG(iBu)-Suc-CPG; 1000 Å

Introduction: The Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) poses novel challenges in the healthcare systems around the world. Concern about the role of Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) and, in particular, ibuprofen has led to significant speculation.Areas covered: A literature search was conducted to evaluate ibuprofen's potential benefits and harms in the COVID-19 disease. Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2 (ACE-2) is crucial entry receptor for Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) in host cells. We found no scientific evidence linking ibuprofen use and an ACE-2 overexpression. Ibuprofen suppresses the production of various pro-inflammatory cytokines that are implicated in the 'cytokine storm' and subsequent ARDS in COVID-19 disease. Nevertheless, the exact role of ibuprofen in the immune response in COVID-19 disease is still unknown. There are no double-blind, placebo-controlled studies assessing the effect of ibuprofen on COVID-19 disease progression.Expert opinion: The studies that have been performed so far demonstrate no association between ibuprofen use and increased mortality rates or an increased risk for respiratory support. Accordingly, we recommend ibuprofen to be used for managing COVID-19 symptoms.

Clinical trials have demonstrated the benefits of ibuprofen therapy in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients, an effect that is currently attributed to ibuprofen's anti-inflammatory properties. Yet, a few previous reports demonstrated an antimicrobial activity of ibuprofen as well, although none investigated its direct effects on the pathogens found in the CF lung, which is the focus of this work. Determination of ibuprofen's in vitro antimicrobial activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Burkholderia species strains through measurements of the endpoint number of CFU and growth kinetics showed that ibuprofen reduced the growth rate and bacterial burden of the tested strains in a dose-dependent fashion. In an in vitroPseudomonas biofilm model, a reduction in the rate of biomass accumulation over 8 h of growth with ibuprofen treatment was observed. Next, an acute Pseudomonas pneumonia model was used to test this antimicrobial activity after the oral delivery of ibuprofen. Following intranasal inoculation, ibuprofen-treated mice exhibited lower CFU counts and improved survival compared with the control animals. Preliminary biodistribution studies performed after the delivery of ibuprofen to mice by aerosol demonstrated a rapid accumulation of ibuprofen in serum and minimum retention in lung tissue and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. Therefore, ibuprofen-encapsulated polymeric nanoparticles (Ibu-NPs) were formulated to improve the pharmacokinetic profile. Ibu-NPs formulated for aerosol delivery inhibited the growth of P. aeruginosa in vitro and may provide a convenient dosing method. These results provide an additional explanation for the previously observed therapeutic effects of ibuprofen in CF patients and further strengthen the argument for its use by these patients.

A drug delivery system with identification function is attractive and important. For this reason, the red fluorescence of Eu3+-doped ZnAl-LDH response to intercalation and release of ibuprofen (IBU) has been studied. X-ray diffraction(XRD) results showed that the basal spacing of the Eu3+-doped ZnAl-LDH varied from 8.85 to 12.04 Å after the intercalation of IBU. The release of the IBU from the Eu3+-doped ZnAl-LDH was carried out in simulated intestinal medium (phosphate buffer solutions with pH 7.4 and 37 °C), and the releasing behavior of IBU exhibited an initial rapid release followed by a slow release. Moreover, the present delivery system has slower release of drug than those of other LDH-based delivery systems. Interestingly, the intercalation of IBU into the Eu3+-doped ZnAl-LDH obviously reduced the red fluorescence of the Eu3+-doped ZnAl-LDH, whereas the red fluorescence was recovered after the release of IBU. This fluorescent responsiveness may be a favorable signal for detecting the delivery and release of IBU. Therefore, the Eu3+-doped ZnAl-LDH with red fluorescence would be potential application as drug delivery system with identification function because of its cheapness, non-toxicity, good biocompatibility, and little damage to biological tissue.