Fig. 1

A SARS-CoV-2 replication cycle (on the right half) and pathophysiology of COVID-19 (on the left side). B Current anti-COVID-19 drug targets and sites of action. I: Drugs that target the S-protein, inhibiting S-protein-ACE2 interaction and viral entry to the host cell, e.g., SARS-CoV-2 monoclonal antibodies, convalescent plasma neutralizing antibodies. II: Protease inhibitors, e.g., Paxlovid (nirmatrelvir/ritonavir). III: RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) inhibitor, e.g., remdesivir. IV: Molnupiravir, which is incorporated into viral RNA strands, leading to ‘error catastrophe’ during viral replication. V: Anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressants, e.g., corticosteroids, IL-6 inhibitors, and IL-1 inhibitors. VI: JAK Inhibitors, e.g., baricitinib and tofacitinib. VII: Complement component “C5a” inhibitors, e.g., Vilobelimab