Evaluation of artificial intelligence identified ipratropium bromide for the treatment of coronavirus disease 2019

Ipratropium bromide (IB), identified through an artificial intelligence (AI)-aided drug screening platform, was evaluated for its safety and efficacy in treating severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) using a hamster model in this study. The mortality rates in the vehicle, remdesivir-treated, IB-treated, and IB-remdesivir combination treatment groups were 70%, 15%, 5%, and 50%, respectively. The IB-treated group showed significantly lower blood D-dimer levels and fibrin degradation product when compared to that in the vehicle group, indicating prevention of thrombosis-related complications. Histological examination also revealed reduced lung inflammation in the IB and combination groups, compared to that in the vehicle and remdesivir groups, with fewer neutrophils in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. Moreover, IB may prevent thrombosis-related complications caused by severe COVID-19.