In Silico Discovery of Novel Inhibitors Against Main Protease (Mpro) of SARS-CoV-2 Using Pharmacophore and Molecular Docking Based Virtual Screening from ZINC Database

Author(s):  
Zeshan Haider ◽  
Muhammad Muneeb Subhani ◽  
Muhammad Ansar Farooq ◽  
Maryum Ishaq ◽  
Maryam Khalid ◽  
...  

Recent outbreak of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by a novel ‘SARS-CoV-2’ virus resulted public health emergencies across the world. An effective vaccine to cure this virus is not yet available, thus requires concerted efforts at various scales. In this study, we employed Computer Aided Drug Design (CADD) based approach to identify the drug-like compounds - inhibiting the replication of main protease (Mpro) of SARS-CoV-2. Our database search using online tool “ZINC pharmer” retrieved ~1500 compounds based on pharmacophore features. Lipinski’s rule was applied to further evaluate the drug-like compounds, followed by molecular docking-based screening, and the selection of screening ligand complex with Mpro based on S-score (higher than reference inhibitor) and root-mean-square deviation (RMSD) value (less than reference inhibitor) using Molecular Operating Environment (MOE) system. Resultantly, ~200 compounds were identified having strong interaction with Mpro of SARS-CoV-2. After evaluating their binding energy using the MOE LigX algorithm, three compounds (ZINC20291569, ZINC90403206, ZINC95480156) were identified that showed highest binding energy with Mpro of SARS-CoV-2 and strong inhibition effect than the reference inhibitor. It is suggested that these candidate “drug-like compounds” have greater potential to stop the replication of SARS-CoV-2, hence might lead to the cure of COVID-19.

Author(s):  
Zeshan Haider ◽  
Muhammad Muneeb Subhani ◽  
Muhammad Ansar Farooq ◽  
Maryum Ishaq ◽  
Maryam Khalid ◽  
...  

Recent outbreak of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by a novel ‘SARS-CoV-2’ virus resulted public health emergencies across the world. An effective vaccine to cure this virus is not yet available, thus requires concerted efforts at various scales. In this study, we employed Computer Aided Drug Design (CADD) based approach to identify the drug-like compounds - inhibiting the replication of main protease (Mpro) of SARS-CoV-2. Our database search using online tool “ZINC pharmer” retrieved ~1500 compounds based on pharmacophore features. Lipinski’s rule was applied to further evaluate the drug-like compounds, followed by molecular docking-based screening, and the selection of screening ligand complex with Mpro based on S-score (higher than reference inhibitor) and root-mean-square deviation (RMSD) value (less than reference inhibitor) using Molecular Operating Environment (MOE) system. Resultantly, ~200 compounds were identified having strong interaction with Mpro of SARS-CoV-2. After evaluating their binding energy using the MOE LigX algorithm, three compounds (ZINC20291569, ZINC90403206, ZINC95480156) were identified that showed highest binding energy with Mpro of SARS-CoV-2 and strong inhibition effect than the reference inhibitor. It is suggested that these candidate “drug-like compounds” have greater potential to stop the replication of SARS-CoV-2, hence might lead to the cure of COVID-19.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sahar Qazi ◽  
Mustafa Alhaji Isa ◽  
Adam Mustapha ◽  
Khalid Raza ◽  
Ibrahim Alkali Allamin ◽  
...  

<p>The Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is an infectious virus that causes mild to severe life-threatening upper respiratory tract infection. The virus emerged in Wuhan, China in 2019, and later spread across the globe. Its genome has been completely sequenced and based on the genomic information, the virus possessed 3C-Like Main Protease (3CLpro), an essential multifunctional enzyme that plays a vital role in the replication and transcription of the virus by cleaving polyprotein at eleven various sites to produce different non-structural proteins. This makes the protein an important target for drug design and discovery. Herein, we analyzed the interaction between the 3CLpro and potential inhibitory compounds identified from the extracts of <i>Zingiber offinale</i> and <i>Anacardium occidentale</i> using in silico docking and Molecular Dynamics (MD) Simulation. The crystal structure of SARS-CoV-2 main protease in complex with 02J (5-Methylisoxazole-3-carboxylic acid) and PEJ (composite ligand) (PDB Code: 6LU7,2.16Å) retrieved from Protein Data Bank (PDB) and subject to structure optimization and energy minimization. A total of twenty-nine compounds were obtained from the extracts of <i>Zingiber offinale </i>and the leaves of <i>Anacardium occidentale. </i>These compounds were screened for physicochemical (Lipinski rule of five, Veber rule, and Egan filter), <i>Pan</i>-Assay Interference Structure (PAINS), and pharmacokinetic properties to determine the Pharmaceutical Active Ingredients (PAIs). Of the 29 compounds, only nineteen (19) possessed drug-likeness properties with efficient oral bioavailability and less toxicity. These compounds subjected to molecular docking analysis to determine their binding energies with the 3CLpro. The result of the analysis indicated that the free binding energies of the compounds ranged between ˗5.08 and -10.24kcal/mol, better than the binding energies of 02j (-4.10kcal/mol) and PJE (-5.07kcal.mol). Six compounds (CID_99615 = -10.24kcal/mol, CID_3981360 = 9.75kcal/mol, CID_9910474 = -9.14kcal/mol, CID_11697907 = -9.10kcal/mol, CID_10503282 = -9.09kcal/mol and CID_620012 = -8.53kcal/mol) with good binding energies further selected and subjected to MD Simulation to determine the stability of the protein-ligand complex. The results of the analysis indicated that all the ligands form stable complexes with the protein, although, CID_9910474 and CID_10503282 had a better stability when compared to other selected phytochemicals (CID_99615, CID_3981360, CID_620012, and CID_11697907). </p>


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sahar Qazi ◽  
Mustafa Alhaji Isa ◽  
Adam Mustapha ◽  
Khalid Raza ◽  
Ibrahim Alkali Allamin ◽  
...  

<p>The Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is an infectious virus that causes mild to severe life-threatening upper respiratory tract infection. The virus emerged in Wuhan, China in 2019, and later spread across the globe. Its genome has been completely sequenced and based on the genomic information, the virus possessed 3C-Like Main Protease (3CLpro), an essential multifunctional enzyme that plays a vital role in the replication and transcription of the virus by cleaving polyprotein at eleven various sites to produce different non-structural proteins. This makes the protein an important target for drug design and discovery. Herein, we analyzed the interaction between the 3CLpro and potential inhibitory compounds identified from the extracts of <i>Zingiber offinale</i> and <i>Anacardium occidentale</i> using in silico docking and Molecular Dynamics (MD) Simulation. The crystal structure of SARS-CoV-2 main protease in complex with 02J (5-Methylisoxazole-3-carboxylic acid) and PEJ (composite ligand) (PDB Code: 6LU7,2.16Å) retrieved from Protein Data Bank (PDB) and subject to structure optimization and energy minimization. A total of twenty-nine compounds were obtained from the extracts of <i>Zingiber offinale </i>and the leaves of <i>Anacardium occidentale. </i>These compounds were screened for physicochemical (Lipinski rule of five, Veber rule, and Egan filter), <i>Pan</i>-Assay Interference Structure (PAINS), and pharmacokinetic properties to determine the Pharmaceutical Active Ingredients (PAIs). Of the 29 compounds, only nineteen (19) possessed drug-likeness properties with efficient oral bioavailability and less toxicity. These compounds subjected to molecular docking analysis to determine their binding energies with the 3CLpro. The result of the analysis indicated that the free binding energies of the compounds ranged between ˗5.08 and -10.24kcal/mol, better than the binding energies of 02j (-4.10kcal/mol) and PJE (-5.07kcal.mol). Six compounds (CID_99615 = -10.24kcal/mol, CID_3981360 = 9.75kcal/mol, CID_9910474 = -9.14kcal/mol, CID_11697907 = -9.10kcal/mol, CID_10503282 = -9.09kcal/mol and CID_620012 = -8.53kcal/mol) with good binding energies further selected and subjected to MD Simulation to determine the stability of the protein-ligand complex. The results of the analysis indicated that all the ligands form stable complexes with the protein, although, CID_9910474 and CID_10503282 had a better stability when compared to other selected phytochemicals (CID_99615, CID_3981360, CID_620012, and CID_11697907). </p>


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sameer Quazi ◽  
Shreelaxmi Gavas ◽  
Javed Ahmad Malik ◽  
Komal Singh Suman ◽  
Zeshan Haider

Marburg virus is a member of filoviridae and spreads severe Marburg hemorrhagic illness in humans and animals. Nowadays, there is no vaccine available that can completely stop the replication of Marburg replication. Therefore, this study is designed to repurpose the effective therapeutic antiviral drug by using a computational approach against exploring the mechanism of Marburg virus Viral protein 35. We have retrieved about 40570 drug-like small compounds from the ZINC database using the "ZINC Pharmer" online tool. Molecular docking of the ligands from the ready-to-dock database has been carried out using MOE. The five drugs have been identified to bind with VP35 possibly. A study was also performed to evaluate the drug-like characteristics of the substances for absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion (ADME). The findings clearly showed that ligands are interacting with the MARV VP35 protein. Interestingly, Lipinski's rule of five was observed by all ligands. These findings provide the foundation for reconstituting and utilizing molecules as a possible therapy for Marburg Virus Disease (MVD).


Author(s):  
Trina Ekawati Tallei ◽  
Sefren Geiner Tumilaar ◽  
Nurdjannah Jane Niode ◽  
Fatimawali Fatimawali ◽  
Billy Johnson Kepel ◽  
...  

Since the outbreak of the COVID-19 (Coronavirus Disease 19) pandemic, researchers have been trying to investigate several active compounds found in plants that have the potential to inhibit the proliferation of SARS-CoV-2 (Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2). The present study aimed to evaluate bioactive compounds found in plants by using a molecular docking approach to inhibit the Main Protease (Mpro) and Spike (S) glycoprotein of SARS-CoV-2. The evaluation was performed on the docking scores calculated using AutoDock Vina as a docking engine. A rule of five (RO5) was calculated to determine whether a compound meets the criteria as an active drug orally in humans. The determination of the docking score was done by selecting the best conformation of the protein-ligand complex that had the highest affinity (most negative Gibbs' free energy of binding / &Delta;G). As a comparison, nelfinavir (an antiretroviral drug), chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine sulfate (anti-malarial drugs recommended by the FDA as emergency drugs) were used. The results showed that hesperidin, nabiximols, pectolinarin, epigallocatechin gallate, and rhoifolin had better poses than nelfinavir, chloroquine, and hydroxychloroquine sulfate as spike glycoprotein inhibitors. Hesperidin, rhoifolin, pectolinarin, and nabiximols had about the same pose as nelfinavir, but were better than chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine sulfate as Mpro inhibitors. These plant compounds have the potential to be developed as specific therapeutic agents against COVID-19. Several natural compounds of plants evaluated in this study showed better binding free energy compared to nelfinavir, chloroquine, and hydroxychloroquine sulfate which so far are recommended in the treatment of COVID-19. As judged by the RO5 and previous study by others, the compounds kaempferol, herbacetin, eugenol, and 6-shogaol have good oral bioavailability, so they are also seen as promising candidates for the development lead compounds to treat infections caused by SARS-CoV-2.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ratish Chandra Mishra ◽  
Rosy Kumari ◽  
Shivani Yadav ◽  
Jaya Parkash Yadav

Abstract A recent outbreak of the novel coronavirus, COVID‐19, in the city of Wuhan, Hubei province, China and its ensuing worldwide spread have resulted in lakhs of infections and thousands of deaths. As of now, there are no registered therapies for treating the contagious COVID‐19 infections, henceforth drug repositioning may provide a fast way out. In the present study, a total of thirty-five compounds including commonly used anti-viral drugs were screened against chymotrypsin-like protease (3CLpro) using SwissDock. Interaction between amino acid of targeted protein and ligands was visualized by UCSF Chimera. Docking studies revealed that the phytochemicals such as cordifolin, anisofolin A, apigenin 7-glucoside, luteolin, laballenic acid, quercetin, luteolin-4-glucoside exhibited significant binding energy with the enzyme viz. - 8.77, -8.72, -8.36, -8.35, -8.13, -8.04 and -7.87 Kcal/Mol respectively. Therefore, new lead compounds can be used for drug development against SARS‐CoV‐2 infections.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Devvret Verma ◽  
Debasis Mitra ◽  
Anshul Kamboj ◽  
Bhaswatimayee Mahakur ◽  
Priya Chaudhary ◽  
...  

Abstract The rapid spread of SARS-CoV-2 has raised a severe global public health issue, where therapy is not identified with specific drugs or vaccines. The present investigation dealt with the inhibition of various proteins and receptors of virus using phytocompounds of three pertinent medicinal plants i.e. Eurycoma harmandiana, Sophora flavescens and Andrographis paniculata. Phytocompounds known to have antiviral properties were screened against the papain-like protease (PLpro) and main protease (Mpro) / 3-chymotrypsin-like Protease (3CLpro). Molecular docking with Canthin-6-One 9-O-Beta-Glucopyranoside showed the highest binding affinity and least binding energy with both the proteases viz. PLpro and Mpro/ 3CLpro. ADMET analysis of the compound suggested that it is having drug-like properties like high gastrointestinal (gi-) absorption, no blood-brain barrier permeability, and high lipophilicity.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Omar Aly

<p>Drug repurposing is a fast way to rapidly discover a drug for clinical use. In such circumstances of the spreading of the highly contagious COVID-19, searching for already known drugs is a worldwide demand. In this study, many drugs were evaluated by molecular docking. Among the test compounds, aliskiren (the best), dipyridamole, mopidamol and rosuvastatin showed higher energies of binding than that of the co-crystallized ligand N3 with COVID-19 main protease M<sup>pro</sup>. Rolitetracycline showed the best binding with the catalytic center of the protease enzyme through binding with CYS 145 and HIS 41. Metamizole showed about 86 % of the binding energy of the ligand N3 while the protease inhibitor darunavir showed little bit lower binding energy than N3. These results are promising for using these drugs in the treatment and management of the spreading of COVID-19 virus. Also, it could stimulate clinical trials for the use of these drugs by systemic or <b>inhalation</b> route.</p><p></p><p>The results stimulate the evaluation of these drugs as anti COVID-19 especially aliskiren which showed the highest score of binding with the binding site of N3. This will be added to its renin inhibition and advantage of renin inhibition and possibility of the reduced expression of ACE2[12]. Dipyridamole and mopidamol showed a potential to be more M<sup>pro </sup>inhibitor than ligand N3 and darunavir. Also, dipyridamole has the property of antiviral activity beside its use to decrease the hypercoagulabilty that happens due to COVID infection in addition to the property of promoting type I interferon (IFN) responses and protect mice from viral pneumonia [30]. Rolitetracycling is an amazing in its binding mode in the active site of the protease pocket it seemed as it is tailored to be buried in that pocket. Mopidamol and rosuvastatin are slightly better than the co-crystallized ligand N3 and darunavir in binding mode which nominate the as COVID-19 protease inhibitors. Hopefully this study will help in the repurposing a drug for the treatment of COVID-19.</p><p></p>


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 506-512
Author(s):  
Nagappan A G ◽  
Krishnaveni M ◽  
Monika T ◽  
Thillaivanan S ◽  
Selvamoorthy G

Background: In December of 2019, mysterious pneumonia was reported. A novel coronavirus (nCoV) was identified as the causative agent for this pneumonia; it is now known as coronavirus 2. This pandemic has caused widespread alarm around the world. Now, countries around the world are preparing for the third and fourth waves of COVID-19. Objective: This research aims to conduct In Silico computational studies of phytoconstituents in leaf extracts of the Siddha medicinal herb Aegle marmelos (Vilvam), which are commonly used in the treatment of viral fever and respiratory infectious diseases and may be effective against the current pandemic novel coronavirus disease. Methodology: In Silico molecular docking analysis was performed for all the active compounds present in the herb Aegle marmelos (Vilvam) with potential targets SARS-CoV-2 Main Protease (PDB ID: 7JQ5). The ligand structures were prepared and optimized by AutoDockTools. The active sites docking study was performed using Autodock Vina for all the compounds. The inhibitor compound MPI8 bound inSARS-CoV-2 main protease Protein-Ligand complex (PDB ID: 7JQ5) is considered as the reference inhibitor molecule of this study. Results: Molecular docking of the 14 bioactive phytochemicals compounds from Aegle marmelos leaves carried out towards the active site of SARS-CoV-2 Main Protease protein (PDB ID: 7JQ5). The interactions of these compounds were comparatively analyzed with the reference inhibitor MPI8 bound inSARS-CoV-2 Main Protease protein-ligand complex (PDB ID: 7JQ5). These phytochemicals exhibited effective molecular interactions with the active residues enumerating their differential inhibition potency. Conclusion: Further research and clinical trials are needed whether this herb can be implemented to effectively treat and manage COVID-19. 


Author(s):  
Omar Aly

<p>Drug repurposing is a fast way to rapidly discover a drug for clinical use. In such circumstances of the spreading of the highly contagious COVID-19, searching for already known drugs is a worldwide demand. In this study, many drugs were evaluated by molecular docking. Among the test compounds, aliskiren (the best), dipyridamole, mopidamol and rosuvastatin showed higher energies of binding than that of the co-crystallized ligand N3 with COVID-19 main protease M<sup>pro</sup>. Rolitetracycline showed the best binding with the catalytic center of the protease enzyme through binding with CYS 145 and HIS 41. Metamizole showed about 86 % of the binding energy of the ligand N3 while the protease inhibitor darunavir showed little bit lower binding energy than N3. These results are promising for using these drugs in the treatment and management of the spreading of COVID-19 virus. Also, it could stimulate clinical trials for the use of these drugs by systemic or <b>inhalation</b> route.</p><p></p><p>The results stimulate the evaluation of these drugs as anti COVID-19 especially aliskiren which showed the highest score of binding with the binding site of N3. This will be added to its renin inhibition and advantage of renin inhibition and possibility of the reduced expression of ACE2[12]. Dipyridamole and mopidamol showed a potential to be more M<sup>pro </sup>inhibitor than ligand N3 and darunavir. Also, dipyridamole has the property of antiviral activity beside its use to decrease the hypercoagulabilty that happens due to COVID infection in addition to the property of promoting type I interferon (IFN) responses and protect mice from viral pneumonia [30]. Rolitetracycling is an amazing in its binding mode in the active site of the protease pocket it seemed as it is tailored to be buried in that pocket. Mopidamol and rosuvastatin are slightly better than the co-crystallized ligand N3 and darunavir in binding mode which nominate the as COVID-19 protease inhibitors. Hopefully this study will help in the repurposing a drug for the treatment of COVID-19.</p><p></p>


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