Molecular docking analysis of SARS-CoV-2 linked RNA dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) with compounds from Plectranthus amboinicus

The exploration of phytocompounds theoretically combats SARS-CoV-2 pandemic against virus entry, viral replication and immune evasion

BACKGROUND

The novel coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) that emerged in China, is an extremely contagious and pathogenic viral infection caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) that has sparked a global pandemic. The few and limited availability of approved therapeutic agents or vaccines is of great concern. Urgently, Remdesivir, Nirmatrelvir, Molnupiravir, and some phytochemicals including polyphenol, flavonoid, alkaloid, and triterpenoid are applied to develop as repurposing drugs against the SARS-CoV-2 invasion.

METHODS

This study was conducted to perform molecular docking and absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion and toxicity (ADMET) analysis of the potential phytocompounds and repurposing drugs against three targets of SARS-CoV-2 proteins (RNA dependent RNA polymerase, RdRp, Endoribonclease, S-protein of ACE2-RBD).

RESULTS

The docking data illustrated Arachidonic acid, Rutin, Quercetin, and Curcumin were highly bound with coronavirus polyprotein replicase and Ebolavirus envelope protein. Furthermore, anti- Ebolavirus molecule Remedesivir, anti-HIV molecule Chloroquine, and Darunavir were repurposed with coronavirus polyprotein replicase as well as Ebolavirus envelope protein. The strongest binding interaction of each targets are Rutin with RdRp, Endoribonclease with Amentoflavone, and ACE2-RBD with Epigallocatechin gallate.

CONCLUSIONS

Taken altogether, these results shed a light on that phytocompounds have a therapeutic potential for the treatment of anti-SARS-CoV-2 may base on multi-target effects or cocktail formulation for blocking viral infection through invasion/activation, transcription/reproduction, and posttranslational cleavage to battle COVID-19 pandemic.

Phenolic compounds versus SARS-CoV-2: An update on the main findings against COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2 remains an international concern. Although there are drugs to fight it, new natural alternatives such as polyphenols are essential due to their antioxidant activity and high antiviral potential. In this context, this review reports the main findings on the effect of phenolic compounds (PCs) against SARS-CoV-2 virus. First, the proven activity of PCs against different human viruses is briefly detailed, which serves as a starting point to study their anti-COVID-19 potential. SARS-CoV-2 targets (its proteins) are defined. Findings from in silico, in vitro and in vivo studies of a wide variety of phenolic compounds are shown, emphasizing their mechanism of action, which is fundamental for drug design. Furthermore, clinical trials have demonstrated the effectiveness of PCs in the prevention and as a possible therapeutic management against COVID-19. The results were complemented with information on the influence of polyphenols in strengthening/modulating the immune system. It is recommended to investigate compounds such as vitamins, minerals, alkaloids, triterpenes and fatty acids, and their synergistic use with PCs, many of which have been successful against SARS-CoV-2. Based on findings on other viruses, synergistic evaluation of PCs with accepted drugs against COVID-19 is also suggested. Other recommendations and limitations are also shown, which is useful for professionals involved in the development of efficient, safe and low-cost therapeutic strategies based on plant matrices rich in PCs. To the authors' knowledge, this manuscript is the first to evaluate the relationship between the antiviral and immunomodulatory (including anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects) activity of PCs and their underlying mechanisms in relation to the fight against COVID-19. It is also of interest for the general population to be informed about the importance of consuming foods rich in bioactive compounds for their health benefits.

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Phenolic compounds are known for their high potential against various human viruses.

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Phenolic compounds also have anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory activity.

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Medicinal plants used against COVID-19 are rich in phenolic compounds.

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Phenolic compounds interfere with the activity of SARS-CoV-2 proteins.

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A wide variety of food products with high polyphenolic content are presented.

Natural products can be used in therapeutic management of COVID-19: Probable mechanistic insights

The unexpected emergence of the new Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has affected more than three hundred million individuals and resulted in more than five million deaths worldwide. The ongoing pandemic has underscored the urgent need for effective preventive and therapeutic measures to develop anti-viral therapy. The natural compounds possess various pharmaceutical properties and are reported as effective anti-virals. The interest to develop an anti-viral drug against the novel severe acute respiratory syndrome Coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) from natural compounds has increased globally. Here, we investigated the anti-viral potential of selected promising natural products. Sources of data for this paper are current literature published in the context of therapeutic uses of phytoconstituents and their mechanism of action published in various reputed peer-reviewed journals. An extensive literature survey was done and data were critically analyzed to get deeper insights into the mechanism of action of a few important phytoconstituents. The consumption of natural products such as thymoquinone, quercetin, caffeic acid, ursolic acid, ellagic acid, vanillin, thymol, and rosmarinic acid could improve our immune response and thus possesses excellent therapeutic potential. This review focuses on the anti-viral functions of various phytoconstituent and alkaloids and their potential therapeutic implications against SARS-CoV-2. Our comprehensive analysis provides mechanistic insights into phytoconstituents to restrain viral infection and provide a better solution through natural, therapeutically active agents.

Natural products as a source of novel drugs for treating SARS-CoV2 infection

COVID-19, the infectious disease caused by the beta-corona virus SARS-CoV2, has posed a global health threat causing more than five million of deaths in the last two years in the world. Although the disease often presents with mild cold-like symptoms, it may have lethal consequences following thromboembolisms, hyperinflammation and cytokine storm eventually leading to pulmonary fibrosis and multiple organ failure.

Despite the progress made in the understanding of the SARS-CoV2 pathology and the clinical management of COVID-19, the viral illness is still a health concern since outbreaks continue to resurge due to the emergence of mutant variants of the virus that resist the vaccines.

Therefore, there is an urgent need for therapeutics that can block SARS-CoV2 viral transmission and the progression from infection to severe symptomatic illness.

Natural products could be a valuable source of drugs for the management of COVID-19 disease, particularly because they can act on multitargets and through different mechanisms including inhibition of biochemical pathways, epigenetic regulation of gene expression, modulation of immune response, regulation of pathophysiological stress response.

Here we present an overview of the natural products that possess SARS-CoV2 antiviral activity and the potential to benefit the management of COVID-19.