scholarly journals Insights into SARS-CoV-2: Medicinal Chemistry Approaches to Combat Its Structural and Functional Biology

2021 ◽  
Vol 379 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lin-Sheng Zhuo ◽  
Ming-Shu Wang ◽  
Jing-Fang Yang ◽  
Hong-Chuang Xu ◽  
Wei Huang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Life Cycle ◽  
Structural Biology ◽  
Broad Spectrum ◽  
Medicinal Chemistry ◽  
Antiviral Agents ◽  
Antiviral Drugs ◽  
Drug Candidates ◽  
Homologous Virus ◽  
Functional Biology ◽  
Near Future

AbstractCoronavirus disease 2019, caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), is still a pandemic around the world. Currently, specific antiviral drugs to control the epidemic remain deficient. Understanding the details of SARS-CoV-2 structural biology is extremely important for development of antiviral agents that will enable regulation of its life cycle. This review focuses on the structural biology and medicinal chemistry of various key proteins (Spike, ACE2, TMPRSS2, RdRp and Mpro) in the life cycle of SARS-CoV-2, as well as their inhibitors/drug candidates. Representative broad-spectrum antiviral drugs, especially those against the homologous virus SARS-CoV, are summarized with the expectation they will drive the development of effective, broad-spectrum inhibitors against coronaviruses. We are hopeful that this review will be a useful aid for discovery of novel, potent anti-SARS-CoV-2 drugs with excellent therapeutic results in the near future.

scholarly journals Antiviral Compounds from Myxobacteria

2018 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 73 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lucky Mulwa ◽  
Marc Stadler
Keyword(s):  
Broad Spectrum ◽  
Viral Infections ◽  
Antiviral Agents ◽  
Antiviral Drug ◽  
Public Health Issue ◽  
Target Cells ◽  
Global Public Health ◽  
Drug Candidates ◽  
Antiviral Compounds ◽  
Spectrum Activity

Viral infections including human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), cytomegalovirus (CMV), hepatitis B virus (HBV), and hepatitis C virus (HCV) pose an ongoing threat to human health due to the lack of effective therapeutic agents. The re-emergence of old viral diseases such as the recent Ebola outbreaks in West Africa represents a global public health issue. Drug resistance and toxicity to target cells are the major challenges for the current antiviral agents. Therefore, there is a need for identifying agents with novel modes of action and improved efficacy. Viral-based illnesses are further aggravated by co-infections, such as an HIV patient co-infected with HBV or HCV. The drugs used to treat or manage HIV tend to increase the pathogenesis of HBV and HCV. Hence, novel antiviral drug candidates should ideally have broad-spectrum activity and no negative drug-drug interactions. Myxobacteria are in the focus of this review since they produce numerous structurally and functionally unique bioactive compounds, which have only recently been screened for antiviral effects. This research has already led to some interesting findings, including the discovery of several candidate compounds with broad-spectrum antiviral activity. The present review looks at myxobacteria-derived antiviral secondary metabolites.

scholarly journals Development of Broad-Spectrum Antiviral Agents—Inspiration from Immunomodulatory Natural Products

Viruses ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (7) ◽  
pp. 1257
Author(s):  
Mengxun Zhang ◽  
Jiaqing Zhong ◽  
Yongai Xiong ◽  
Xun Song ◽  
Chenyang Li ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Natural Products ◽  
Broad Spectrum ◽  
Viral Infections ◽  
Antiviral Agents ◽  
Antiviral Drugs ◽  
Life Cycles ◽  
The Body ◽  
Host Cells ◽  
Immunomodulatory Effects ◽  
Antiviral Effects

Developing broad-spectrum antiviral drugs remains an important issue as viral infections continue to threaten public health. Host-directed therapy is a method that focuses on potential targets in host cells or the body, instead of viral proteins. Its antiviral effects are achieved by disturbing the life cycles of pathogens or modulating immunity. In this review, we focus on the development of broad-spectrum antiviral drugs that enhance the immune response. Some natural products present antiviral effects mediated by enhancing immunity, and their structures and mechanisms are summarized here. Natural products with immunomodulatory effects are also discussed, although their antiviral effects remain unknown. Given the power of immunity and the feasibility of host-directed therapy, we argue that both of these categories of natural products provide clues that may be beneficial for the discovery of broad-spectrum antiviral drugs.

scholarly journals In Silico Identification of Nsp12 and Nsp13 as Potential Targets for Development of Broad-spectrum Antiviral Agents Against SARS-CoV, MERS-CoV, and 2019-nCoV (SARS-CoV-2)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shengjie Dong ◽  
Jiachen Sun ◽  
Zhuo Mao ◽  
Yilin Lu ◽  
Jiesen Li
Keyword(s):  
Broad Spectrum ◽  
Antiviral Agents ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Antiviral Drugs ◽  
Amino Acid Sequences ◽  
Dimensional Structure ◽  
Nonstructural Proteins ◽  
Sequence Alignments ◽  
Novel Coronavirus ◽  
High Consistency

Abstract Background2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) is officially named severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus type 2 (SARS-CoV-2), and is a positive-sense, single-stranded RNA coronavirus. The virus is the pathogen of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and is infectious through human-to-human transmission. The fact that 2019-nCoV is very close to SARS-CoV has been proved by several evidences, but there are significant differences between MERS-CoV and them. Therefore, in this work, we used MERS-CoV as a probe to find the homology proteins with conserved sequences among these three known human highly pathogenic coronaviruses.MethodsThe primary protein sequences of three viruses translated from the complete genome were downloaded from National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI). The sequence alignments of ORF1ab proteins of three viruses were done by using Clustal Omega. The assessments of the feasibility of homology modeling were performed by using SWISS-MODEL.ResultsHere, by using computational biology, we propose that four nonstructural proteins nsp12, nsp13, nsp14, and nsp16 exhibit considerable homology among SARS-CoV, MERS-CoV, and 2019-nCoV. Among them, nsp12 and nsp13 amino acid sequences are more conserved. Considering the crucial role of these two proteins in the process of virus invasion and pathological response, we first proposed these two proteins as priority targets to design new or screen existing broad-spectrum antiviral drugs. The high consistency of primary sequence indicates the great similarity of three-dimensional structure and similar targets are likely to be inhibited by the same inhibitor. The inhibitors designed for these targets are likely to have broad-spectrum antiviral effect.ConclusionVery recently, some clinical trial reports preliminarily proved that Favipiravir and Remdesivir are effective for COVID-19. These clinical data provide some proof and basis for our conjecture in some degree. It is believed that the effective broad-spectrum antiviral drugs are not only helpful for the current epidemic situation, but also more beneficial for the future unpredictable epidemic situation.

Recent Advances towards Drug Design Targeting the Protease of 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV)

2020 ◽  
Vol 27 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sehrish Bano ◽  
Abdul Hameed ◽  
Mariya Al-Rashida ◽  
Shafia Iftikhar ◽  
Jamshed Iqbal
Keyword(s):  
Drug Design ◽  
Rna Polymerase ◽  
Drug Targets ◽  
Antiviral Agents ◽  
Structural Features ◽  
Antiviral Drugs ◽  
Rna Dependent Rna Polymerase ◽  
Mortality And Morbidity ◽  
Functional Relationships ◽  
Novel Coronavirus

Background: The 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV), also known as coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) acute respiratory syndrome has recently emerged and continued to spread rapidly with high level of mortality and morbidity rates. Currently, no efficacious therapy is available to relieve coronavirus infections. As new drug design and development takes much time, there is a possibility to find an effective treatment from existing antiviral agents. Objective: In this case, there is a need to find out the relationship between possible drug targets and mechanism of action of antiviral drugs. This review discusses about the efforts to develop drug from known or new molecules. Methods: Viruses usually have two structural integrities, proteins and nucleic acids, both of which can be possible drug targets. Herein, we systemically discuss the structural-functional relationships of the spike, 3-chymotrypsin-like protease (3CLpro), papain like protease (PLpro) and RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp), as these are prominent structural features of corona virus. Certain antiviral drugs such as Remdesivir are RNA dependent RNA polymerase inhibitor. It has the ability to terminate RNA replication by inhibiting ATP. Results: It is reported that ATP is involved in synthesis of coronavirus non-structural proteins from 3CLpro and PLpro. Similarly, mechanisms of action of many other antiviral agents has been discussed in this review. It will provide new insights into the mechanism of inhibition, and let us develop new therapeutic antiviral approaches against novel SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus. Conclusion: In conclusion, this review summarizes recent progress in developing protease inhibitors for SARS-CoV-2.

The chronicle of COVID-19: possible strategies to curb the pandemic

2020 ◽  
Vol 27 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rajesh Kumar ◽  
Seetha Harilal ◽  
Abdullah G. Al-Sehemi ◽  
Githa Elizabeth Mathew ◽  
Simone Carradori ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Life Cycle ◽  
Research And Development ◽  
Vaccine Development ◽  
Therapeutic Strategies ◽  
Antiviral Drugs ◽  
Limited Data ◽  
Social Distancing ◽  
The World ◽  
Novel Virus ◽  
Day By Day

: COVID-19, an epidemic that emerged in Wuhan, has become a pandemic affecting worldwide and is in a rapidly evolving condition. Day by day, the confirmed cases and deaths are increasing many folds. SARS-CoV-2 is a novel virus; therefore, limited data are available to curb the disease. Epidemiological approaches, isolation, quarantine, social distancing, lockdown, and curfew are being employed to halt the spread of the disease. Individual and joint efforts all over the world are producing a wealth of data and information which are expected to produce therapeutic strategies against COVID-19. Current research focuses on the utilization of antiviral drugs, repurposing strategies, vaccine development as well as basic to advanced research about the organism and the infection. The review focuses on the life cycle, targets, and possible therapeutic strategies, which can lead to further research and development of COVID-19 therapy.

scholarly journals ECO-DESIGN ACTIONS TO IMPROVE LIFE CYCLE ENVIRONMENTAL PERFORMANCE OF FACE MASKS IN THE PANDEMIC ERA

2021 ◽  
Vol 1 ◽  
pp. 1333-1342
Author(s):  
Núria Boix Rodríguez ◽  
Marco Marconi ◽  
Claudio Favi ◽  
Giovanni Formentini
Keyword(s):  
Life Cycle ◽  
Environmental Performance ◽  
Climate Changes ◽  
Environmental Problem ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Environmental Issues ◽  
Design Guidelines ◽  
Protective Equipment ◽  
Single Use ◽  
Near Future

AbstractFace masks are currently considered essential devices that people must wear today and in the near future, until the COVID-19 pandemic will be completely defeated through specific medicines and vaccines. Such devices are generally made of thermoplastic polymers, as polypropylene and polyethylene and are single use products. Even if in this period the sanitary emergency must have the maximum priority, the world society should not completely forget the environmental problem that are causing more and more obvious climate changes with correlated damages to ecosystems and human health. Despite the well-known correlation among anti-COVID protective equipment (or more generally medical devices) and environmental issues, the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and eco-design-based studies in this field is very scarce. The present study aims to derive the most important environmental criticalities of such products, by using LCA and product circularity indicators of five different common masks. The final aim is to provide eco-design guidelines, useful to design new face masks by preventing negative impact on the environment.

scholarly journals Novel activities of safe-in-human broad-spectrum antiviral agents

2018 ◽  
Vol 154 ◽  
pp. 174-182 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aleksandr Ianevski ◽  
Eva Zusinaite ◽  
Suvi Kuivanen ◽  
Mårten Strand ◽  
Hilde Lysvand ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Broad Spectrum ◽  
Antiviral Agents

The Rhythms of Drinking in a Peruvian Coastal Mestizo Community

1971 ◽  
Vol 30 (2) ◽  
pp. 198-202 ◽  
Author(s):  
Allan Holmberg
Keyword(s):  
Life Cycle ◽  
Alcohol Use ◽  
Social Integration ◽  
Field Research ◽  
Drinking Patterns ◽  
Religious Festivals ◽  
Patterns Of Drinking ◽  
Local Water ◽  
Traditional Patterns ◽  
Near Future

A result of field research in Virú, Peru in 1947-48 and in 1960, this paper describes traditional drinking patterns in a peasant village. The primary beverage in Virú is chicha, made from maize. A nineteenth-century recipe and present methods of manufacture are compared. Holmberg describes daily drinking patterns, drinking at annual religious festivals, and patterns of alcohol use at the ritual celebration of life cycle events. Consumption of chicha during the day is seen as an alternative to drinking the unhealthful local water, while ceremonial drinking serves functions of social integration. Traditional patterns of drinking are such an integral part of the value structure of Virú that they are not likely to change in the near future.

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