Efficacy of molnupiravir and interferon for the treatment of SARS‐CoV‐2 in golden Syrian hamster

The mortality and hospitalization rate by COVID-19 dropped significantly currently, but its seasonal outbreaks make antiviral treatment still vital. The mortality and hospitazation rate by COVID-19 dropped significantly currently, but its seasonal ourbreaks make antiviral treatment still vital. In our study, syrian golden hamsters were treated with molnupiravir and interferons (IFNs) after SARS-CoV-2 infection. Their weight changes, pathological changes, virus replication and inflammation levels were evaluated. In the IFNs single treatment, only IFN-α group reduced viral load (p < 0.05) and virus titer in hamster lungs. The TNF-α expression decreased significantly in both IFNs treatment at 2dpi. Histological and immunofluorescence results showed lung damage in the IFNs groups were milder at 4dpi. In the molnupiravir/IFN-α combination treatment, weight loss and virus replication in lung were significantly decreased in the mono-molnupiravir group and combination group (p < 0.05), the expression of IL-6, TNF-α, IL-1β and MIP-1α also decreased significantly (p < 0.05), but the combination treatment was not more effective than the mono-molnupiravir treatment. Histological and immunofluorescence results showed the lung damage and inflammation in mono-molnupiravir and combination groups were milder. In summary, IFNs treatment had anti-inflammatory effect against SARS-CoV-2, only IFN-α showed a weak antiviral effect. Molnupiravir/IFN-α combination treatment was effective against SARS-CoV-2 but was not superior to mono-molnupiravir treatment. IFN-α could be considered for immunocompromised patients to stimulate and activate early immune responses.