There is great interest in small molecule therapeutic agents for COVID-19 with high efficacy to save human lives. Even more than three years after the outbreak of the pandemic and despite the availability of vaccines , COVID-19 poses a threat to individuals across the world. The initially-developed vaccines and boosters have so far proven protective against COVID-19, but because of multiple factors, such as new variants of the virus, the disease continues to pose substantial risk to life and health. Recent studies also show that reinfections act cumulatively, which is worrisome in the long term. Additionally, many people cannot be vaccinated due to their medical status or refuse vaccination, and breakthrough infections occur despite vaccination. Therefore, having a small molecule therapy as an additional option or alternative is highly demanded. The applicability of currently available small molecule treatments, such as nirmaltrelvir , baricitinib , remdesivir , and molnupiravir 8 is still restricted. For instance, the application of Paxlovid (nirmatrelvir and ritonavir) is limited due to drug-drug interactions and rebound effects . In addition, molnupiravir is a mutagenic antiviral, which possibly could increase the emergence of new variants . Overall, while early significant successes in treating COVID-19 have been achieved, there is a consensus in the field that further improved pharmacological approaches are needed.