Oxazolidinones Antibiotics, Chemistry, Applications and Role in COVID-19 Treatment

Oxazolidinones are groups of synthetic antimicrobial agents, which have a novel chemical structure. Their mechanism of antimicrobial mainly bacteriostatic via inhibition of protein synthesis. Oxazolidinones are used in serious cases of bacterial infections. Their spectrum of action against a lot of microbes, which often infect humans vigorously, like penicillin and cephalosporin-resistant Streptococcus pneumonia, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and vancomycin-resistant enterococci. Oxazolidinones chemical structure possesses a ring called oxazolidone, which is characterized by the S configuration of the substituent at C5, the acyl-amino-methyl group connected to C5 and the N-aryl substituent. Some oxazolidinones like linezolid were believed to have a role in COVID-19 treatment. It is also noticed that oxazolidinones have a role in improving clinical status of patients with COVID-19 and in decreasing the risk of mortality caused by co-infections. This review was conducted to discuss the chemistry, mechanism, applications and role of oxazolidinones in the treatment of COVID-19.