scholarly journals Anti-malarial Drugs are Not Created Equal for SARS-CoV-2 Treatment: A Computational Analysis Evidence

2020 ◽  
Vol 26 ◽  
Author(s):  
Simone Ronsisvalle ◽  
Federica Panarello ◽  
Rosaria Di Mauro ◽  
Renato Bernardini ◽  
Giovanni Li Volti ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Viral Infections ◽  
Antiviral Treatment ◽  
Positive Control ◽  
Binding Activity ◽  
Clinical Effects ◽  
Docking Analysis ◽  
Main Protease ◽  
First Choice ◽  
In Silico Studies ◽  
Control Tree

Background: The evolution of the pandemic is putting national healthcare systems to a huge effort worldwide and at present, there is no preferred antiviral treatment for COVID-19. Recently, SARS-Cov-2 protease structure was released and may be exploited in in-silico studies in order to conduct molecular docking analysis. Methods: In particular, we compared the binding of two used antimalarial drugs (i.e. chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine) which showed some potential clinical effects in COVID-19 patients, using as positive control tree antiviral recognized compounds, ritonavir, lopinavir and darunavir. Results: Our results showed that hydroxychloroquine but not chloroquine exhibited a significant binding activity to the main protease similar to that possessed by protease inhibitors tested for other viral infections. Conclusion: Our data suggest that hydroxychloroquine may exert additional direct antiviral activity compared to chloroquine. In the absence of clinical studies comparing the efficacy of these two compounds, hydroxychloroquine may offer additional effects and may be considered as first choice.

Therapeutic Exploitation of Viral Interference

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (4) ◽  
pp. 423-432 ◽  
Author(s):  
Imre Kovesdi ◽  
Tibor Bakacs
Keyword(s):  
Broad Spectrum ◽  
Viral Infections ◽  
Viral Vector ◽  
Antiviral Treatment ◽  
Type I ◽  
Virus Infections ◽  
Emerging Viruses ◽  
Viral Interference ◽  
Pathogenic Virus ◽  
Hepatitis C Rna

: Viral interference, originally, referred to a state of temporary immunity, is a state whereby infection with a virus limits replication or production of a second infecting virus. However, replication of a second virus could also be dominant over the first virus. In fact, dominance can alternate between the two viruses. Expression of type I interferon genes is many times upregulated in infected epithelial cells. Since the interferon system can control most, if not all, virus infections in the absence of adaptive immunity, it was proposed that viral induction of a nonspecific localized temporary state of immunity may provide a strategy to control viral infections. Clinical observations also support such a theory, which gave credence to the development of superinfection therapy (SIT). SIT is an innovative therapeutic approach where a non-pathogenic virus is used to infect patients harboring a pathogenic virus. : For the functional cure of persistent viral infections and for the development of broad- spectrum antivirals against emerging viruses a paradigm shift was recently proposed. Instead of the virus, the therapy should be directed at the host. Such a host-directed-therapy (HDT) strategy could be the activation of endogenous innate immune response via toll-like receptors (TLRs). Superinfection therapy is such a host-directed-therapy, which has been validated in patients infected with two completely different viruses, the hepatitis B (DNA), and hepatitis C (RNA) viruses. SIT exerts post-infection interference via the constant presence of an attenuated non-pathogenic avian double- stranded (ds) RNA viral vector which boosts the endogenous innate (IFN) response. SIT could, therefore, be developed into a biological platform for a new “one drug, multiple bugs” broad-spectrum antiviral treatment approach.

scholarly journals Diarylureas: Repositioning from Antitumor to Antimicrobials or Multi-Target Agents against New Pandemics

Antibiotics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 92 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alessia Catalano ◽  
Domenico Iacopetta ◽  
Michele Pellegrino ◽  
Stefano Aquaro ◽  
Carlo Franchini ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Anticancer Agents ◽  
Kinase Inhibitors ◽  
Viral Infections ◽  
Drug Repositioning ◽  
Biological Activities ◽  
Antiviral Treatment ◽  
Far East ◽  
Mild Disease ◽  
To Come ◽  
The Uk

Antimicrobials have allowed medical advancements over several decades. However, the continuous emergence of antimicrobial resistance restricts efficacy in treating infectious diseases. In this context, the drug repositioning of already known biological active compounds to antimicrobials could represent a useful strategy. In 2002 and 2003, the SARS-CoV pandemic immobilized the Far East regions. However, the drug discovery attempts to study the virus have stopped after the crisis declined. Today’s COVID-19 pandemic could probably have been avoided if those efforts against SARS-CoV had continued. Recently, a new coronavirus variant was identified in the UK. Because of this, the search for safe and potent antimicrobials and antivirals is urgent. Apart from antiviral treatment for severe cases of COVID-19, many patients with mild disease without pneumonia or moderate disease with pneumonia have received different classes of antibiotics. Diarylureas are tyrosine kinase inhibitors well known in the art as anticancer agents, which might be useful tools for a reposition as antimicrobials. The first to come onto the market as anticancer was sorafenib, followed by some other active molecules. For this interesting class of organic compounds antimicrobial, antiviral, antithrombotic, antimalarial, and anti-inflammatory properties have been reported in the literature. These numerous properties make these compounds interesting for a new possible pandemic considering that, as well as for other viral infections also for CoVID-19, a multitarget therapeutic strategy could be favorable. This review is meant to be an overview on diarylureas, focusing on their biological activities, not dwelling on the already known antitumor activity. Quite a lot of papers present in the literature underline and highlight the importance of these molecules as versatile scaffolds for the development of new and promising antimicrobials and multitarget agents against new pandemic events.

In silico screening of phytoconstituents with antiviral activities against SARS-COV-2 main protease, Nsp12 polymerase and Nsp13 helicase proteins

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jainey James ◽  
Divya Jyothi ◽  
Sneh Priya
Keyword(s):  
Antiviral Activity ◽  
Molecular Interactions ◽  
In Silico ◽  
Antiviral Treatment ◽  
In Vivo Studies ◽  
Main Protease ◽  
Hypothesis Model ◽  
Antiviral Activities ◽  
Pharmacophore Hypothesis

Aims: The present study aim was to analyse the molecular interactions of the phytoconstituents known for their antiviral activity with the SARS-CoV-2 nonstructural proteins such as main protease (6LU7), Nsp12 polymerase (6M71), and Nsp13 helicase (6JYT). The applied in silico methodologies was molecular docking and pharmacophore modeling using Schrodinger software. Methods: The phytoconstituents were taken from PubChem, and SARS-CoV-2 proteins were downloaded from the protein data bank. The molecular interactions, binding energy, ADMET properties and pharmacophoric features were analysed by glide XP, prime MM-GBSA, qikprop and phase application of Schrodinger respectively. The antiviral activity of the selected phytoconstituents was carried out by PASS predictor, online tools. Results: The docking score analysis showed that quercetin 3-rhamnoside (-8.77 kcal/mol) and quercetin 3-rhamnoside (-7.89 kcal/mol) as excellent products to bind with their respective targets such as 6LU7, 6M71 and 6JYT. The generated pharmacophore hypothesis model validated the docking results, confirming the hydrogen bonding interactions of the amino acids. The PASS online tool predicted constituent's antiviral potentials. Conclusion: The docked phytoconstituents showed excellent interactions with the SARS-CoV-2 proteins, and on the outset, quercetin 3-rhamnoside and quercetin 7-rhamnoside have well-interacted with all the three proteins, and these belong to the plant Houttuynia cordata. The pharmacophore hypothesis has revealed the characteristic features responsible for their interactions, and PASS prediction data has supported their antiviral activities. Thus, these natural compounds could be developed as lead molecules for antiviral treatment against SARS-CoV-2. Further in-vitro and in-vivo studies could be carried out to provide better drug therapy.

scholarly journals IN SILICO STUDIES ON FUNCTIONALIZED AZAGLYCINE DERIVATIVES CONTAINING 2, 4-THIAZOLIDINEDIONE SCAFFOLD ON MULTIPLE TARGETS

2017 ◽  
Vol 9 (8) ◽  
pp. 209 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arifa Begum ◽  
Shaheen Begum ◽  
Prasad Kvsrg ◽  
Bharathi K.
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Docking ◽  
Oral Bioavailability ◽  
In Silico ◽  
Viral Infections ◽  
Target Prediction ◽  
Docking Studies ◽  
Antidiabetic Activity ◽  
Molecular Docking Studies ◽  
In Silico Studies ◽  
Glycine Derivative

Objective: The 2, 4-thiazolidinedione containing compounds could lead to most promising scaffolds with higher efficiency toward the targets recognized for its antidiabetic activity when combined with azaglycine moiety. The objective of the present work was to merge functionalized aza glycines with 2, 4-thiazolidinediones, perform in silico evaluation by molecular properties prediction and undertake the molecular docking studies with targets relevant to diabetes, bacterial and viral infections using Swiss Dock programme for unraveling the target identification which can be used for further designing.Methods: (i) In silico studies were performed using Molinspiration online tool, Swiss ADME website and Swiss Target Prediction websites to compute the physicochemical descriptors, oral bioavailability and brain penetration. (ii) Molecular docking studies were performed using Swiss Dock web service for enumeration of binding affinities and assess their biological potentiality.Results: The results predicted good drug likeness, solubility, permeability and oral bioavailability for the compounds. All the compounds showed good docking scores as compared to the reference drugs. The N-oleoyl functionalized aza glycine derivative demonstrated superior binding properties towards all the studied target reference proteins, suggesting its significance in pharmacological actions.Conclusion: The binding interactions observed in the molecular docking studies suggest good binding affinity of the oleoyl functionalized aza glycine derivative, indicating that this derivative would be a promising lead for further investigations of anti-viral, anti-inflammatory and anti-diabetic activities.

scholarly journals Hesperidin and SARS-CoV-2: New Light on the Healthy Functions of Citrus Fruit

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paolo Bellavite ◽  
Alberto Donzelli
Keyword(s):  
Immune System ◽  
Citrus Sinensis ◽  
Viral Infections ◽  
Citrus Fruit ◽  
Short Review ◽  
Citrus Fruits ◽  
Early Proteins ◽  
Main Protease ◽  
The Many

Among the many approaches to COVID-19 prevention, the possible role of diet has so far been somewhat marginal. Nutrition is very rich in substances with a potential beneficial effect on health and some of these could have an antiviral action or in any case be important in modulating the immune system and in defending cells from the oxidative stress associated with infection. This short review draws the attention on some components of Citrus fruits and especially of the orange (Citrus sinensis), well known for its vitamin content, but less for the function of its flavonoids. Among the latter, hesperidin has recently attracted the attention of researchers, because it binds to the key proteins of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Several computational methods, independently applied by different researchers, showed that hesperidin has a low binding energy both with the coronavirus "spike" protein, and with the main protease that transforms the early proteins of the virus (pp1a and ppa1b) into the complex responsible for viral replication. The affinity of hesperidin for these proteins is comparable if not superior to that of common chemical antivirals. The preventive efficacy of vitamin C, at dosage attainable by diet, against viral infections is controversial, but recent reviews suggest that this substance may be useful in case of increased stress on the immune system. Finally, the reasons that suggest undertaking appropriate research on the Citrus fruits addition in the diet, as a complementary prevention and treatment of COVID-19, are discussed.

scholarly journals Vitamin C inhibits SARS coronavirus-2 main protease essential for viral replication

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tek Narsingh Malla ◽  
Suraj Pandey ◽  
Ishwor Poudyal ◽  
Luis Aldama ◽  
Dennis Feliz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Crystal Structure ◽  
Vitamin C ◽  
Antiviral Treatment ◽  
Cysteine Proteases ◽  
Vitamin Supplement ◽  
Sars Coronavirus ◽  
Over The Counter ◽  
Main Protease ◽  
Approved Drugs

There is an urgent need for anti-viral agents that treat and/or prevent Covid-19 caused by SARS-Coronavirus (CoV-2) infections. The replication of the SARS CoV-2 is dependent on the activity of two cysteine proteases, a papain-like protease, PL-pro, and the 3C-like protease known as main protease Mpro or 3CLpro. The shortest and the safest path to clinical use is the repurposing of drugs with binding affinity to PLpro or 3CLpro that have an established safety profile in humans. Several studies have reported crystal structures of SARS-CoV-2 main protease in complex with FDA approved drugs such as those used in treatment of hepatitis C. Here, we report the crystal structure of 3CLpro in complex Vitamin C (L-ascorbate) bound to the protein's active site at 2.5 Angstrom resolution. We also demonstrate that L-ascorbate inhibits the 3CLpro in vitro at mmol/L concentrations. The crystal structure of the Vitamin C 3CLpro complex may aid future studies on the effect of Vitamin C not only on the coronavirus main protease but on related proteases of other infectious viruses. Since ascorbate is readily available, as an over-the-counter vitamin supplement, our results have the potential for development of a global and inexpensive antiviral treatment.

scholarly journals ACTIVITY SCREENING AND STRUCTURE MODIFICATION OF ARTOCARPIN AGAINST ACE2 AND MAIN PROTEASE THROUGH IN SILICO METHOD

2021 ◽  
pp. 192-198
Author(s):  
MUHAMMAD FAUZI ◽  
ARIS FADILLAH ◽  
FAUZI RAHMAN ◽  
JUWITA RAMADHANI ◽  
KARINA ERLIANTI ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Antiviral Activity ◽  
In Silico ◽  
Docking Simulation ◽  
Positive Control ◽  
Hydroxyl Group ◽  
Artocarpus Altilis ◽  
Main Protease ◽  
Activity Screening ◽  
The Stability ◽  
The Right

Objective: SARS-CoV-2 is a type of coronavirus that causes COVID-19 disease. Currently, the right and effective drug for the treatment of COVID-19 has not been found. Artocarpin in the breadfruit plant (Artocarpus altilis), which was tested, has been shown to have antiviral activity. However, artocarpin has a hydroxyl group that can undergo oxidation within a certain time, thereby reducing the stability of the compound and non-specific antiviral activity. Methods: In this study, the structural modification of artocarpin was carried out to obtain compounds with anticoronavirus activity with good physicochemical properties. This research was conducted in silico, including molecular docking simulation, bioavailability prediction, and preADMET. Results: The top 20 modified compounds were selected from each target's top 3 compounds, which had better bond energies compared to the positive control. These 3 compounds have the potential to inhibit ACE2 and Mpro receptors and 1 compound are better at inhibiting both. Conclusion: From the results of the research conducted, we conclude that the 3 best compounds can be potential candidates that can be developed as COVID-19 therapy.

scholarly journals Computational approach towards the design of artemisinin–thymoquinone hybrids against main protease of SARS-COV-2

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Victor Moreira de Oliveira ◽  
Matheus Nunes da Rocha ◽  
Emanuel Paula Magalhães ◽  
Francisco Rogênio da Silva Mendes ◽  
Márcia Machado Marinho ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Enzyme Inhibitors ◽  
Antiviral Treatment ◽  
Docking Studies ◽  
Hybrid Products ◽  
Main Protease ◽  
The Central Nervous System ◽  
Synthetic Hybrids ◽  
Energy Of Interaction ◽  
Relevant Interaction ◽  
High Absorption

Abstract Background The sanitary emergency installed in the world, generated by the pandemic of COVID-19, instigates the search for scientific strategies to mitigate the damage caused by the disease to different sectors of society. The disease caused by the coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, reached 216 countries/territories, where about 199 million people were reported with the infection. Of these, more than 4 million died. In this sense, strategies involving the development of new antiviral molecules are extremely important. The main protease (Mpro) from SARS-CoV-2 is an important target, which has been widely studied for antiviral treatment. This work aims to perform a screening of pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics of synthetic hybrids from thymoquinone and artemisin (THY-ART) against COVID-19. Results Molecular docking studies indicated that hybrids of artemisinin and thymoquinone showed a relevant interaction with the active fraction of the enzyme Mpro, when compared to the reference drugs. Furthermore, hybrids show an improvement in the interaction of substances with the enzyme, mainly due to the higher frequency of interactions with the Thr199 residue. ADMET studies indicated that hybrids tend to permeate biological membranes, allowing good human intestinal absorption, with low partition to the central nervous system, potentiation for CYP-450 enzyme inhibitors, low risk of toxicity compared to commercially available drugs, considering mainly mutagenicity and cardiotoxicity, low capacity of hybrids to permeate the blood–brain barrier, high absorption and moderate permeability in Caco-2 cells. In addition, T1–T7 tend to have a better distribution of their available fractions to carry out diffusion and transport across cell membranes, as well as increase the energy of interaction with the SARS-CoV-2 target. Conclusions Hybrid products of artemisinin and thymoquinone have the potential to inhibit Mpro, with desirable pharmacokinetic and toxicity characteristics compared to commercially available drugs, being indicated for preclinical and subsequent clinical studies against SARS-CoV-2. Emphasizing the possibility of synergistic use with currently used drugs in order to increase half-life and generate a possible synergistic effect. This work represents an important step for the development of specific drugs against COVID-19.

scholarly journals First-in-Woman Safety, Tolerability, and Pharmacokinetics of Orally Administered GS-441524: A Broad-Spectrum Antiviral Treatment for COVID-19

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Victoria Yan
Keyword(s):  
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ◽  
Broad Spectrum ◽  
Half Life ◽  
Maximum Concentration ◽  
Viral Infections ◽  
Clinical Laboratory ◽  
Antiviral Treatment ◽  
Oral Solution ◽  
Healthy Human

GS-441524 is a nucleoside analogue with broad-spectrum antiviral activity against RNA viruses, including severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV), Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV), and feline coronavirus (FCoV). GS-441524 is the main circulating metabolite following intravenous administration of remdesivir (Veklury®), with a plasma half-life of approximately 24 hours. The safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetics of GS-441524 was evaluated in a healthy human volunteer (N=1) when administered directly as an oral solution (750 mg) once daily for 7 days (Part 1) and 3 times daily for 3 days (Part 2). In Part 1 of the study, the effect of food on the absorption of GS-441524 was also evaluated. GS-441524 appeared rapidly in plasma, with an average time of maximum concentration of 0.5 hours during once-per-day dosing and exhibited an initial half-life phase of approximately 3.3 hours in the fasted state. Negligible accumulation was observed during part 1 of the multiday study. In Part 2 of the study, GS-441524 was administered 3 times daily, every 3 hours. A 2-4-fold accumulation of GS-441524 was observed approximately 3 hours after the third dose was administered, with a time of maximum concentration of 9 hours and a maximum concentration of 12.01 µM, exceeding the concentration reported to eradicate SARS-CoV-2 in vitro. For the duration of the study, GS-441524 was well-tolerated. There were no treatment-related adverse events and no clinically significant findings in clinical laboratory, vital signs, or electrocardiography. Taken together, these results demonstrate the safety and viability of orally administered GS-441524 for the treatment of COVID-19 and emerging viral infections.

scholarly journals Essential Oils as Antiviral Agents, Potential of Essential Oils to Treat SARS-CoV-2 Infection: An In-Silico Investigation

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (10) ◽  
pp. 3426 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joyce Kelly R. da Silva ◽  
Pablo Luis Baia Figueiredo ◽  
Kendall G. Byler ◽  
William N. Setzer
Keyword(s):  
Essential Oil ◽  
Essential Oils ◽  
Antiviral Agents ◽  
Rna Dependent Rna Polymerase ◽  
Protein Targets ◽  
Docking Analysis ◽  
Main Protease ◽  
Pathogenic Viruses ◽  
Oil Components ◽  
Molecular Docking Analysis

Essential oils have shown promise as antiviral agents against several pathogenic viruses. In this work we hypothesized that essential oil components may interact with key protein targets of the 2019 severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). A molecular docking analysis was carried out using 171 essential oil components with SARS-CoV-2 main protease (SARS-CoV-2 Mpro), SARS-CoV-2 endoribonucleoase (SARS-CoV-2 Nsp15/NendoU), SARS-CoV-2 ADP-ribose-1″-phosphatase (SARS-CoV-2 ADRP), SARS-CoV-2 RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (SARS-CoV-2 RdRp), the binding domain of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein (SARS-CoV-2 rS), and human angiotensin−converting enzyme (hACE2). The compound with the best normalized docking score to SARS-CoV-2 Mpro was the sesquiterpene hydrocarbon (E)-β-farnesene. The best docking ligands for SARS−CoV Nsp15/NendoU were (E,E)-α-farnesene, (E)-β-farnesene, and (E,E)−farnesol. (E,E)−Farnesol showed the most exothermic docking to SARS-CoV-2 ADRP. Unfortunately, the docking energies of (E,E)−α-farnesene, (E)-β-farnesene, and (E,E)−farnesol with SARS-CoV-2 targets were relatively weak compared to docking energies with other proteins and are, therefore, unlikely to interact with the virus targets. However, essential oil components may act synergistically, essential oils may potentiate other antiviral agents, or they may provide some relief of COVID-19 symptoms.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document