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Ibrahim PEGF, Zuccotto F, Zachariae U, Gilbert I, Bodkin M. Accurate prediction of dynamic protein-ligand binding using P-score ranking. J Comput Chem 2024; 45:1762-1778. [PMID: 38647338 DOI: 10.1002/jcc.27370] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2023] [Revised: 03/20/2024] [Accepted: 03/22/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024]
Abstract
Protein-ligand binding prediction typically relies on docking methodologies and associated scoring functions to propose the binding mode of a ligand in a biological target. Significant challenges are associated with this approach, including the flexibility of the protein-ligand system, solvent-mediated interactions, and associated entropy changes. In addition, scoring functions are only weakly accurate due to the short time required for calculating enthalpic and entropic binding interactions. The workflow described here attempts to address these limitations by combining supervised molecular dynamics with dynamical averaging quantum mechanics fragment molecular orbital. This combination significantly increased the ability to predict the experimental binding structure of protein-ligand complexes independent from the starting position of the ligands or the binding site conformation. We found that the predictive power could be enhanced by combining the residence time and interaction energies as descriptors in a novel scoring function named the P-score. This is illustrated using six different protein-ligand targets as case studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter E G F Ibrahim
- Drug Discovery Unit, Division of Biological Chemistry and Drug Discovery, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK
| | - Fabio Zuccotto
- Drug Discovery Unit, Division of Biological Chemistry and Drug Discovery, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK
| | - Ulrich Zachariae
- Drug Discovery Unit, Division of Biological Chemistry and Drug Discovery, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK
| | - Ian Gilbert
- Drug Discovery Unit, Division of Biological Chemistry and Drug Discovery, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK
| | - Mike Bodkin
- Drug Discovery Unit, Division of Biological Chemistry and Drug Discovery, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK
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2
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Jash R, Prasanth DSNBK, Jash M, Suneetha A. Small molecules in the race of COVID-19 drug development. JOURNAL OF ASIAN NATURAL PRODUCTS RESEARCH 2023; 25:1133-1154. [PMID: 37066495 DOI: 10.1080/10286020.2023.2197595] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2022] [Revised: 03/28/2023] [Accepted: 03/28/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
COVID-19, caused by SARS-CoV-2, is spreading worldwide, regardless of different continents, increasing the death toll to almost five million, with more than 300 million reported cases. Researchers have been fighting the greatest threats to human civilization. This report provides a glimpse of ongoing small-molecule research on COVID-19 drugs to save millions of lives, which may provide researchers with a better understanding of rigorously investigated therapeutic agents. This report emphasizes the chemical structures and mechanisms of activity along with drug target information for several small molecules, including marketable drugs and agents under investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rajiv Jash
- Department of Pharmacy, Sanaka Educational Trust Group of Institutions, Durgapur, West Bengal 713 212, India
| | - D S N B K Prasanth
- Department of Pharmacognosy, KVSR Siddhartha College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh 520 010, India
| | - Moumita Jash
- Department of Pharmacy, Sanaka Educational Trust Group of Institutions, Durgapur, West Bengal 713 212, India
- Department of Bioscience and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology, Jodhpur, Rajasthan 342037, India
| | - Achanti Suneetha
- Department of Pharmaceutical Analysis, KVSR Siddhartha College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh 520 010, India
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3
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Nakka S, Muchakayala SK, Manabolu Surya SB. A sensitive UPLC-MS/MS method for the simultaneous assay and trace level genotoxic impurities quantification of SARS-CoV-2 inhibitor-Molnupiravir in its pure and formulation dosage forms using fractional factorial design. RESULTS IN CHEMISTRY 2023; 6:101019. [PMID: 37396150 PMCID: PMC10293121 DOI: 10.1016/j.rechem.2023.101019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2023] [Accepted: 06/22/2023] [Indexed: 07/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Two potential genotoxic impurities were identified (PGTIs)-viz. 4-amino-1-((2R,3R,4S,5R)-3,4-dihydroxy-5-(hydroxymethyl)tetrahydrofuran-2-yl)pyrimidin-2(1H)-one (PGTI-1), and 1-(2R,3R,4S,5R)-3,4-dihydroxy-5-(hydroxymethyl)tetrahydrofuran-2-yl)pyrimidin-2,4(1H,3H)-one (PGTI-II) in the Molnupiravir (MOPR) synthetic routes. COVID-19 disease was treated with MOPR when mild to moderate symptoms occurred. Two (Q)-SAR methods were used to assess the genotoxicity, and projected results were positive and categorized into Class-3 for both PGTIs. A simple, accurate and highly sensitive ultra-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) method was optimized for the simultaneous quantification of the assay, and these impurities in MOPR drug substance and formulation dosage form. The multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) technique was utilized for the quantification. Prior to the validation study, the UPLC-MS method conditions were optimised using fractional factorial design (FrFD). The optimized Critical Method Parameters (CMPs) include the percentage of Acetonitrile in MP B, Concentration of Formic acid in MP A, Cone Voltage, Capillary Voltage, Collision gas flow and Desolvation temperature were determined from the numerical optimization to be 12.50 %, 0.13 %, 13.6 V, 2.6 kV, 850 L/hr and 375 °C, respectively. The optimized chromatographic separation achieved on Waters Acquity HSS T3 C18 column (100 mm × 2.1 mm, 1.8 µm) in a gradient elution mode with 0.13% formic acid in water and acetonitrile as mobile phases, column temperature kept at 35 °C and flow rate at 0.5 mL/min. The method was successfully validated as per ICH guidelines, and demonstrated excellent linearity over the concentration range of 0.5-10 ppm for both PGTIs. The Pearson correlation coefficient of each impurity and MOPR was found to be higher than 0.999, and the recoveries were in between the range of 94.62 to 104.05% for both PGTIs and 99.10 to 100.25% for MOPR. It is also feasible to utilise this rapid method to quantify MOPR accurately in biological samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Srinivas Nakka
- Department of Chemistry, School of Science, GITAM Deemed to be University, Hyderabad 502329, India
| | - Siva Krishna Muchakayala
- Department of Chemistry, School of Science, GITAM Deemed to be University, Hyderabad 502329, India
- Analytical Research and Development, Catalent Pharma Solutions, 1100 Enterprise Drive, Winchester, KY, 40391, USA
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Pang X, Xu W, Liu Y, Li H, Chen L. The research progress of SARS-CoV-2 main protease inhibitors from 2020 to 2022. Eur J Med Chem 2023; 257:115491. [PMID: 37244162 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2023.115491] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2023] [Revised: 05/06/2023] [Accepted: 05/14/2023] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
The novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has spread worldwide. The main protease (Mpro) of SARS-CoV-2 plays a central role in viral replication and transcription and represents an attractive drug target for fighting COVID-19. Many SARS-CoV-2 Mpro inhibitors have been reported, including covalent and noncovalent inhibitors. The SARS-CoV-2 Mpro inhibitor PF-07321332 (Nirmatrelvir) designed by Pfizer has been put on the market. This paper briefly introduces the structural characteristics of SARS-CoV-2 Mpro and summarizes the research progress of SARS-CoV-2 Mpro inhibitors from the aspects of drug repurposing and drug design. These information will provide a basis for the drug development of treating the infection of SARS-CoV-2 and even other coronaviruses in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaojing Pang
- Wuya College of Innovation, Key Laboratory of Structure-Based Drug Design & Discovery, Ministry of Education, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, 110016, China
| | - Wei Xu
- Institute of Structural Pharmacology & TCM Chemical Biology, College of Pharmacy, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, 350122, China
| | - Yang Liu
- Wuya College of Innovation, Key Laboratory of Structure-Based Drug Design & Discovery, Ministry of Education, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, 110016, China
| | - Hua Li
- Wuya College of Innovation, Key Laboratory of Structure-Based Drug Design & Discovery, Ministry of Education, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, 110016, China; Institute of Structural Pharmacology & TCM Chemical Biology, College of Pharmacy, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, 350122, China.
| | - Lixia Chen
- Wuya College of Innovation, Key Laboratory of Structure-Based Drug Design & Discovery, Ministry of Education, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, 110016, China.
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Himmi B, Brandán SA, Sert Y, Ahmed Kawther A, Dege N, Berrin Cinar E, El Louzi A, Bougrin K, Karrouchi K. A quinoline-benzotriazole derivative: Synthesis, crystal structure and characterization by using spectroscopic, DFT and molecular docking methods. RESULTS IN CHEMISTRY 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.rechem.2023.100916] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/03/2023] Open
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Asif M, Saquib M, Rahman Khan A, Aqil F, salem Almalki A, Ali Alasmary F, Singh J, Nasibullah M. Synthesis of Functionalized 2′,5‐Oxo‐spiro[furan‐2,3′‐indoline]‐3‐carboxylate Derivatives as Antiproliferative Agents: ADMET Studies, and Molecular Docking against P2Y12 Inhibitors. ChemistrySelect 2023. [DOI: 10.1002/slct.202204536] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/16/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Mohd Asif
- Department of Chemistry Integral University Lucknow 226026, U.P. India
| | - Mohammad Saquib
- Department of Chemistry University of Allahabad Prayagraj (Allahabad) 211002 India
| | - Abdul Rahman Khan
- Department of Chemistry Integral University Lucknow 226026, U.P. India
| | - Farrukh Aqil
- UofL Health-Brown Cancer Center and Department of Medicine University of Louisville Louisville KY40202 USA
| | - Amani salem Almalki
- Chemistry Department College of Science King Saud University Riyadh 11451 Saudi Arabia
| | - Fatmah Ali Alasmary
- Chemistry Department College of Science King Saud University Riyadh 11451 Saudi Arabia
| | - Jaya Singh
- Department of Chemistry LRPG College Sahibabad Ghaziabad 201005 India
| | - Malik Nasibullah
- Department of Chemistry Integral University Lucknow 226026, U.P. India
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7
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Liang J, Zheng M, Xu W, Chen Y, Tang P, Wu G, Zou P, Li H, Chen L. Acriflavine and proflavine hemisulfate as potential antivirals by targeting M pro. Bioorg Chem 2022; 129:106185. [PMID: 36240541 PMCID: PMC9540699 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2022.106185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2022] [Revised: 09/18/2022] [Accepted: 09/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
The evolving SARS-CoV-2 epidemic buffets the world, and the concerted efforts are needed to explore effective drugs. Mpro is an intriguing antiviral target for interfering with viral RNA replication and transcription. In order to get potential anti-SARS-CoV-2 agents, we established an enzymatic assay using a fluorogenic substrate to screen the inhibitors of Mpro. Fortunately, Acriflavine (ACF) and Proflavine Hemisulfate (PRF) with the same acridine scaffold were picked out for their good inhibitory activity against Mpro with IC50 of 5.60 ± 0.29 μM and 2.07 ± 0.01 μM, respectively. Further evaluation of MST assay and enzymatic kinetics experiment in vitro showed that they had a certain affinity to SARS-CoV-2 Mpro and were both non-competitive inhibitors. In addition, they inhibited about 90 % HCoV-OC43 replication in BHK-21 cells at 1 μM. Both compounds showed nano-molar activities against SARS-CoV-2 virus, which were superior to GC376 for anti-HCoV-43, and equivalent to the standard molecule remdesivir. Our study demonstrated that ACF and PRF were inhibitors of Mpro, and ACF has been previously reported as a PLpro inhibitor. Taken together, ACF and PRF might be dual-targeted inhibitors to provide protection against infections of coronaviruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Liang
- Wuya College of Innovation, Key Laboratory of Structure-Based Drug Design & Discovery, Ministry of Education, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang 110016, China
| | - Mengzhu Zheng
- School of Pharmacy, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Wei Xu
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology (MOE/NHC/CAMS), School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai Institute of Infectious Disease and Biosecurity, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Yongkang Chen
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology (MOE/NHC/CAMS), School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai Institute of Infectious Disease and Biosecurity, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Piyu Tang
- Wuya College of Innovation, Key Laboratory of Structure-Based Drug Design & Discovery, Ministry of Education, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang 110016, China
| | - Guoyi Wu
- Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, Fudan University, Shanghai 201508, China,Corresponding authors at: Wuya College of Innovation, Key Laboratory of Structure-Based Drug Design & Discovery, Ministry of Education, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang 110016, China (H. Li and L. Chen)
| | - Peng Zou
- Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, Fudan University, Shanghai 201508, China,Corresponding authors at: Wuya College of Innovation, Key Laboratory of Structure-Based Drug Design & Discovery, Ministry of Education, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang 110016, China (H. Li and L. Chen)
| | - Hua Li
- Wuya College of Innovation, Key Laboratory of Structure-Based Drug Design & Discovery, Ministry of Education, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang 110016, China,Institute of Structural Pharmacology & TCM Chemical Biology, College of Pharmacy, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou 350122, China,School of Pharmacy, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China,Corresponding authors at: Wuya College of Innovation, Key Laboratory of Structure-Based Drug Design & Discovery, Ministry of Education, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang 110016, China (H. Li and L. Chen)
| | - Lixia Chen
- Wuya College of Innovation, Key Laboratory of Structure-Based Drug Design & Discovery, Ministry of Education, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang 110016, China,Corresponding authors at: Wuya College of Innovation, Key Laboratory of Structure-Based Drug Design & Discovery, Ministry of Education, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang 110016, China (H. Li and L. Chen)
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8
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Understanding and combating COVID-19 using the biology and chemistry of SARS-CoV-2. Bioprocess Biosyst Eng 2022; 45:1753-1769. [PMID: 36125525 PMCID: PMC9486761 DOI: 10.1007/s00449-022-02788-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2022] [Accepted: 09/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Symptoms of COVID-19 can range from asymptomatic to severe, which could lead to fatality. Like other pathogenic viruses, the infection of SARS-CoV-2 relies on binding its spike glycoprotein to the host receptor angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE 2). Molecular studies suggested that there is a high affinity between the spike glycoprotein and ACE 2 that might arise due to their hydrophobic interaction. This property is mainly responsible for making this virus highly infectious. Apart from this, the transmissibility of the virus, prolonged viability in certain circumstances, and rapid mutations also contributed to the current pandemic situation. Nanotechnology provides potential alternative solutions to combat COVID-19 with the development of i. nanomaterial-based COVID-19 detection technology, ii. nanomaterial-based disinfectants, iii. nanoparticle-based vaccines, and iv. nanoparticle-based drug delivery. Hence, this review provides diverse insight into understanding COVID-19.
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Dou X, Sun Q, Xu G, Liu Y, Zhang C, Wang B, Lu Y, Guo Z, Su L, Huo T, Zhao X, Wang C, Yu Z, Song S, Zhang L, Liu Z, Lai L, Jiao N. Discovery of 2-(furan-2-ylmethylene)hydrazine-1-carbothioamide derivatives as novel inhibitors of SARS-CoV-2 main protease. Eur J Med Chem 2022; 238:114508. [PMID: 35688005 PMCID: PMC9162962 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2022.114508] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2022] [Revised: 05/29/2022] [Accepted: 05/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
The COVID-19 posed a serious threat to human life and health, and SARS-CoV-2 Mpro has been considered as an attractive drug target for the treatment of COVID-19. Herein, we report 2-(furan-2-ylmethylene)hydrazine-1-carbothioamide derivatives as novel inhibitors of SARS-CoV-2 Mpro developed by in-house library screening and biological evaluation. Similarity search led to the identification of compound F8–S43 with the enzymatic IC50 value of 10.76 μM. Further structure-based drug design and synthetic optimization uncovered compounds F8–B6 and F8–B22 as novel non-peptidomimetic inhibitors of Mpro with IC50 values of 1.57 μM and 1.55 μM, respectively. Moreover, enzymatic kinetic assay and mass spectrometry demonstrated that F8–B6 was a reversible covalent inhibitor of Mpro. Besides, F8–B6 showed low cytotoxicity with CC50 values of more than 100 μM in Vero and MDCK cells. Overall, these novel SARS-CoV-2 Mpro non-peptidomimetic inhibitors provide a useful starting point for further structural optimization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaodong Dou
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Qi Sun
- BNLMS, Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences at College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
| | - Guofeng Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Yameng Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Caifang Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Bingding Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Yangbin Lu
- BNLMS, Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences at College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
| | - Zheng Guo
- BNLMS, Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences at College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
| | - Lingyu Su
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Tongyu Huo
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Xinyi Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Chen Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Zhongtian Yu
- BNLMS, Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences at College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
| | - Song Song
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Liangren Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Zhenming Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Luhua Lai
- BNLMS, Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences at College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China; Center for Quantitative Biology, Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China.
| | - Ning Jiao
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100191, China.
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Chalcone-amide, a privileged backbone for the design and development of selective SARS-CoV/SARS-CoV-2 papain-like protease inhibitors. Eur J Med Chem 2022; 240:114572. [PMID: 35797899 PMCID: PMC9250826 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2022.114572] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2022] [Revised: 06/22/2022] [Accepted: 06/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
The newly emerged coronavirus severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) that caused the COVID-19 pandemic, is the closest relative of SARS-CoV with high genetic similarity. The papain-like protease (PLpro) is an important SARS-CoV/SARS-CoV-2 nonstructural protein that plays a critical role in some infection processes such as the generation of the functional replication complex, maturation of crude polyproteins, and regulation of the host antiviral immune responses. Therefore, the research to discover SARS-CoV-2 PLpro inhibitors could be a sensible strategy to obtain therapeutic agents for the treatment of COVID-19. Aiming to find SARS-CoV/SARS-CoV-2 PLpro inhibitors, various high throughput screenings (HTS) have been performed over the past two decades. Interestingly, the result of these efforts is the identification of hit/lead compounds whose structures have one important feature in common, namely having a chalcone-amide (N-benzylbenzamide) backbone. Structure-activity relationship (SAR) studies have shown that placing an (R)-configurated methyl group on the middle carbon adjacent to the amide group creates a unique backbone called (R)-methyl chalcone-amide, which dramatically increases PLpro inhibitory potency. Although this scaffold has not yet been introduced by medicinal chemists as a specific skeleton for the design of PLpro inhibitors, structural considerations show that the most reported PLpro inhibitors have this skeleton. This review suggests the (R)-methyl chalcone-amide scaffold as a key backbone for the design and development of selective SARS-CoV-2 PLpro inhibitors. Understanding the SAR and binding mode of these inhibitors in the active site of SARS-CoV-2 PLpro can aid the future development of anti-COVID-19 agents.
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Lokhande K, Nawani N, K. Venkateswara S, Pawar S. Biflavonoids from Rhus succedanea as probable natural inhibitors against SARS-CoV-2: a molecular docking and molecular dynamics approach. J Biomol Struct Dyn 2022; 40:4376-4388. [PMID: 33300454 PMCID: PMC7738212 DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2020.1858165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2020] [Accepted: 11/22/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The recent outbreak of SARS-CoV-2 has quickly become a worldwide pandemic and generated panic threats for both the human population and the global economy. The unavailability of effective vaccines or drugs has enforced researchers to hunt for a potential drug to combat this virus. Plant-derived phytocompounds are of applicable interest in the search for novel drugs. Bioflavonoids from Rhus succedanea are already reported to exert antiviral activity against RNA viruses. SARS-CoV-2 Mpro protease plays a vital role in viral replication and therefore can be considered as a promising target for drug development. A computational approach has been employed to search for promising potent bioflavonoids from Rhus succedanea against SARS-CoV-2 Mpro protease. Binding affinities and binding modes between the biflavonoids and Mpro enzyme suggest that all six biflavonoids exhibit possible interaction with the Mpro catalytic site (-19.47 to -27.04 kcal/mol). However, Amentoflavone (-27.04 kcal/mol) and Agathisflavone (-25.87 kcal/mol) interact strongly with the catalytic residues. Molecular dynamic simulations (100 ns) further revealed that these two biflavonoids complexes with the Mpro enzyme are highly stable and are of less conformational fluctuations. Also, the hydrophobic and hydrophilic surface mapping on the Mpro structure as well as biflavonoids were utilized for the further lead optimization process. Altogether, our findings showed that these natural biflavonoids can be utilized as promising SARS-CoV-2 Mpro inhibitors and thus, the computational approach provides an initial footstep towards experimental studies in in vitro and in vivo, which is necessary for the therapeutic development of novel and safe drugs to control SARS-CoV-2. Communicated by Ramaswamy H. SarmaResearch highlightsRhus succedanea biflavonoids have antiviral activity.The molecular interactions and molecular dynamics displayed that all six biflavonoids bound with a good affinity to the same catalytic site of Mpro.The compound Amentoflavone has a strong binding affinity (-27.0441 kcal/mol) towards Mpro.The binding site properties of SARS-CoV-2-Mpro can be utilized in a novel discovery and lead optimization of the SARS-CoV-2-Mpro inhibitor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kiran Lokhande
- Dr. D. Y. Patil Vidyapeeth, Bioinformatics Research Laboratory, Dr. D. Y. Patil Biotechnology and Bioinformatics Institute, Pune, India
| | - Neelu Nawani
- Dr. D. Y. Patil Vidyapeeth, Microbial Diversity Research Centre, Dr. D. Y. Patil Biotechnology and Bioinformatics Institute, Pune, India
| | - Swamy K. Venkateswara
- Bioinformatics Research Group, MIT School of Bioengineering Sciences & Research, MIT-ADT University, Pune, Maharashtra, India
| | - Sarika Pawar
- Dr. D. Y. Patil Vidyapeeth, Microbial Diversity Research Centre, Dr. D. Y. Patil Biotechnology and Bioinformatics Institute, Pune, India
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Yip AJW, Low ZY, Chow VTK, Lal SK. Repurposing Molnupiravir for COVID-19: The Mechanisms of Antiviral Activity. Viruses 2022; 14:v14061345. [PMID: 35746815 PMCID: PMC9228778 DOI: 10.3390/v14061345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2022] [Revised: 06/09/2022] [Accepted: 06/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Molnupiravir is a β-d-N4-hydroxycytidine-5'-isopropyl ester (NHC) compound that exerts antiviral activity against various RNA viruses such as influenza, SARS, and Ebola viruses. Thus, the repurposing of Molnupiravir has gained significant attention for combatting infection with SARS-CoV-2, the etiological agent of COVID-19. Recently, Molnupiravir was granted authorization for the treatment of mild-to-moderate COVID-19 in adults. Findings from in vitro experiments, in vivo studies and clinical trials reveal that Molnupiravir is effective against SARS-CoV-2 by inducing viral RNA mutagenesis, thereby giving rise to mutated complementary RNA strands that generate non-functional viruses. To date, the data collectively suggest that Molnupiravir possesses promising antiviral activity as well as favorable prophylactic efficacy, attributed to its effective mutagenic property of disrupting viral replication. This review discusses the mechanisms of action of Molnupiravir and highlights its clinical utility by disabling SARS-CoV-2 replication, thereby ameliorating COVID-19 severity. Despite relatively few short-term adverse effects thus far, further detailed clinical studies and long-term pharmacovigilance are needed in view of its mutagenic effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashley Jia Wen Yip
- School of Science, Monash University, Bandar Sunway, Subang Jaya 47500, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia; (A.J.W.Y.); (Z.Y.L.)
| | - Zheng Yao Low
- School of Science, Monash University, Bandar Sunway, Subang Jaya 47500, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia; (A.J.W.Y.); (Z.Y.L.)
| | - Vincent T. K. Chow
- Infectious Diseases Translational Research Program, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117545, Singapore;
| | - Sunil K. Lal
- School of Science, Monash University, Bandar Sunway, Subang Jaya 47500, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia; (A.J.W.Y.); (Z.Y.L.)
- Tropical Medicine & Biology Platform, Monash University, Subang Jaya 47500, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia
- Correspondence:
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13
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Low ZY, Yip AJW, Lal SK. Repositioning anticancer drugs as novel COVID-19 antivirals: targeting structural and functional similarities between viral proteins and cancer. Expert Rev Mol Med 2022; 24:1-23. [PMID: 35450545 PMCID: PMC9114731 DOI: 10.1017/erm.2022.11] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2021] [Revised: 01/13/2022] [Accepted: 03/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The current COVID-19 pandemic contributed by the SARS-CoV-2 has put in place an urgent need for new and promising antiviral therapeutics. The viral RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) enzyme plays a vital role in viral replication for all RNA viruses, including SARS-CoV-2, thereby making it a prime and promising candidate for novel antiviral targeting. Interestingly, the human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT), a common catalytic subunit of the telomerase enzyme in many cancers, has also been identified with structural and functional similarities to the viral RdRp. Therefore, it becomes essential to evaluate and consider anticancer drugs that target hTERT towards antiviral RdRp activity, and vice versa. For instance, Floxuridine, an hTERT inhibitor, and VX-222, a hepatitis C virus RdRp inhibitor, are now gaining recognition as a potential antiviral against SARS-CoV-2 and anti-hTERT for cancer, simultaneously. While limited studies on hTERT inhibitors for use as viral RdRp, and anti-RdRp inhibitors as hTERT inhibitors are available, in this review, we aim at bringing to light this close structural and functional relationship between both these enzymes. We punctuate this idea with specific examples on how potential anticancer inhibitors can effectively be brought to use as inhibitors against the SARS-CoV-2 virus, a relatively new pathogen, compared to the very well-studied field of cancer research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zheng Yao Low
- School of Science, Monash University Malaysia, 47500 Bandar Sunway, Selangor DE, Malaysia
| | - Ashley Jia Wen Yip
- School of Science, Monash University Malaysia, 47500 Bandar Sunway, Selangor DE, Malaysia
| | - Sunil Kumar Lal
- School of Science, Monash University Malaysia, 47500 Bandar Sunway, Selangor DE, Malaysia
- Tropical Medicine and Biology Platform, Monash University Malaysia, 47500 Bandar Sunway, Selangor DE, Malaysia
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14
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Ničkčović VP, Nikolić GR, Nedeljković BM, Mitić N, Danić SF, Mitić J, Marčetić Z, Sokolović D, Veselinović AM. In silico approach for the development of novel antiviral compounds based on SARS-COV-2 protease inhibition. CHEMICAL PAPERS 2022; 76:4393-4404. [PMID: 35400796 PMCID: PMC8977062 DOI: 10.1007/s11696-022-02170-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2021] [Accepted: 03/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
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15
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Abstract
Molnupiravir (Lagevrio®) is an orally-administered antiviral prodrug that inhibits replication of RNA viruses through viral error induction. It is being developed by Merck and Ridgeback Biotherapeutics for the prevention and treatment of Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Molnupiravir received its first approval on 4 November 2021 in the UK for the treatment of mild to moderate COVID-19 in adults with a positive severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) diagnostic test and who have at least one risk factor for developing severe illness. Molnupiravir is filed for approval and has emergency use authorization for the treatment of COVID-19 in several countries, including the USA, Japan and those in the EU. This article summarizes the milestones in the development of molnupiravir leading to this first approval for COVID-19.
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16
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Biswas M, Sawajan N, Rungrotmongkol T, Sanachai K, Ershadian M, Sukasem C. Pharmacogenetics and Precision Medicine Approaches for the Improvement of COVID-19 Therapies. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:835136. [PMID: 35250581 PMCID: PMC8894812 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.835136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2021] [Accepted: 01/24/2022] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Many drugs are being administered to tackle coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic situations without establishing clinical effectiveness or tailoring safety. A repurposing strategy might be more effective and successful if pharmacogenetic interventions are being considered in future clinical studies/trials. Although it is very unlikely that there are almost no pharmacogenetic data for COVID-19 drugs, however, from inferring the pharmacokinetic (PK)/pharmacodynamic(PD) properties and some pharmacogenetic evidence in other diseases/clinical conditions, it is highly likely that pharmacogenetic associations are also feasible in at least some COVID-19 drugs. We strongly mandate to undertake a pharmacogenetic assessment for at least these drug–gene pairs (atazanavir–UGT1A1, ABCB1, SLCO1B1, APOA5; efavirenz–CYP2B6; nevirapine–HLA, CYP2B6, ABCB1; lopinavir–SLCO1B3, ABCC2; ribavirin–SLC28A2; tocilizumab–FCGR3A; ivermectin–ABCB1; oseltamivir–CES1, ABCB1; clopidogrel–CYP2C19, ABCB1, warfarin–CYP2C9, VKORC1; non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)–CYP2C9) in COVID-19 patients for advancing precision medicine. Molecular docking and computational studies are promising to achieve new therapeutics against SARS-CoV-2 infection. The current situation in the discovery of anti-SARS-CoV-2 agents at four important targets from in silico studies has been described and summarized in this review. Although natural occurring compounds from different herbs against SARS-CoV-2 infection are favorable, however, accurate experimental investigation of these compounds is warranted to provide insightful information. Moreover, clinical considerations of drug–drug interactions (DDIs) and drug–herb interactions (DHIs) of the existing repurposed drugs along with pharmacogenetic (e.g., efavirenz and CYP2B6) and herbogenetic (e.g., andrographolide and CYP2C9) interventions, collectively called multifactorial drug–gene interactions (DGIs), may further accelerate the development of precision COVID-19 therapies in the real-world clinical settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohitosh Biswas
- Division of Pharmacogenomics and Personalized Medicine, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
- Laboratory for Pharmacogenomics, Somdech Phra Debaratana Medical Center (SDMC), Ramathibodi Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Rajshahi, Rajshahi, Bangladesh
| | - Nares Sawajan
- Division of Pharmacogenomics and Personalized Medicine, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
- Laboratory for Pharmacogenomics, Somdech Phra Debaratana Medical Center (SDMC), Ramathibodi Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Mae Fah Luang University, Chiang Rai, Thailand
| | - Thanyada Rungrotmongkol
- Structural and Computational Biology Research Unit, Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
- Program in Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, Graduate School, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Kamonpan Sanachai
- Structural and Computational Biology Research Unit, Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Maliheh Ershadian
- Division of Pharmacogenomics and Personalized Medicine, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
- Laboratory for Pharmacogenomics, Somdech Phra Debaratana Medical Center (SDMC), Ramathibodi Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Chonlaphat Sukasem
- Division of Pharmacogenomics and Personalized Medicine, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
- Laboratory for Pharmacogenomics, Somdech Phra Debaratana Medical Center (SDMC), Ramathibodi Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand
- Pharmacogenomics and Precision Medicine, The Preventive Genomics and Family Check-up Services Center, Bumrungrad International Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand
- MRC Centre for Drug Safety Science, Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Institute of Systems, Molecular and Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
- *Correspondence: Chonlaphat Sukasem,
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17
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Zackria AA, Pattabiraman R, Murthy TPK, Kumar SB, Mathew BB, Biju VG. Computational screening of natural compounds from Salvia plebeia R. Br. for inhibition of SARS-CoV-2 main protease. VEGETOS (BAREILLY, INDIA) 2022; 35:345-359. [PMID: 34690453 PMCID: PMC8523934 DOI: 10.1007/s42535-021-00304-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2020] [Revised: 09/17/2021] [Accepted: 09/21/2021] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
The novel Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) has emerged to be the reason behind the COVID-19 pandemic. It was discovered in Wuhan, China and then began spreading around the world, impacting the health of millions. Efforts for treatment have been hampered as there are no antiviral drugs that are effective against this virus. In the present study, we have explored the phytochemical constituents of Salvia plebeia R. Br., in terms of its binding affinity by targeting COVID-19 main protease (Mpro) using computational analysis. Molecular docking analysis was performed using PyRx software. The ADMET and drug-likeness properties of the top 10 compounds showing binding affinity greater than or equal to - 8.0 kcal/mol were analysed using pkCSM and DruLiTo, respectively. Based on the docking studies, it was confirmed that Rutin and Plebeiosides B were the most potent inhibitors of the main protease of SARS-CoV-2 with the best binding affinities of - 9.1 kcal/mol and - 8.9 kcal/mol, respectively. Further, the two compounds were analysed by studying their biological activity using the PASS webserver. Molecular dynamics simulation analysis was performed for the selected protein-ligand complexes to confirm their stability at 300 ns. MM-PBSA provided the basis for analyzing the affinity of the phytochemicals towards Mpro by calculating the binding energy, and secondary structure analysis indicated the stability of protease structure when it is bound to Rutin and Plebeiosides B. Altogether, the study identifies Rutin and Plebeiosides B to be potent Mpro inhibitors of SARS-CoV-2. Graphic abstract Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s42535-021-00304-z.
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Affiliation(s)
- Afraa Aqeel Zackria
- Department of Biotechnology, M S Ramaiah Institute of Technology, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560054 India
| | - Ramya Pattabiraman
- Department of Biotechnology, M S Ramaiah Institute of Technology, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560054 India
| | - T. P. Krishna Murthy
- Department of Biotechnology, M S Ramaiah Institute of Technology, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560054 India
| | - S. Birendra Kumar
- Department of Biotechnology, M S Ramaiah Institute of Technology, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560054 India
| | - Blessy Baby Mathew
- Department of Biotechnology, Dayananda Sagar College of Engineering, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560078 India
| | - Vinai George Biju
- Department of Computer Science and Engineering, Christ (Deemed-to-be University), Bengaluru, Karnataka 560060 India
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18
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Omar AZ, Mosa TM, El-Sadany SK, Hamed EA, El-Atawy M. Novel piperazine based compounds as potential inhibitors for SARS-CoV-2 Protease Enzyme: Synthesis and molecular docking study. J Mol Struct 2021; 1245:131020. [PMID: 34248201 DOI: 10.1016/j.molstruc.2021.131020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2021] [Revised: 06/09/2021] [Accepted: 06/30/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Structurally diverse piperazine-based compounds hybrid with thiadiazole, isatin or with sulfur/nitrogen, functionalities were synthesized. The structures of the new compounds were established based on their spectral data and elemental analysis. The physicochemical, bioactivity scores and pharmacokinetic behavior of all the prepared ligands were evaluated using in silico computational tools. The new piperazine ligands have been screened for their inhibition activity against SARS-CoV-2 protease enzyme using molecular docking analysis. The docking studies showed that all the ligands have been docked with negative dock energy onto the target protease protein. Moreover, Molecular interaction studies revealed that SARS-CoV-2 protease enzyme had strong hydrogen bonding interactions with piperazine ligands. The present in silico study thus, provided some guidance to facilitate drug design targeting the SARS-CoV-2 main protease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alaa Z Omar
- Chemistry Department, Faculty of Science, Alexandria University, P.O. 426 Ibrahemia, Alexandria 21321, Egypt
| | - Tawfik M Mosa
- Chemistry Department, Faculty of Science, Alexandria University, P.O. 426 Ibrahemia, Alexandria 21321, Egypt
| | - Samer K El-Sadany
- Chemistry Department, Faculty of Science, Alexandria University, P.O. 426 Ibrahemia, Alexandria 21321, Egypt
| | - Ezzat A Hamed
- Chemistry Department, Faculty of Science, Alexandria University, P.O. 426 Ibrahemia, Alexandria 21321, Egypt
| | - Mohamed El-Atawy
- Chemistry Department, Faculty of Science, Alexandria University, P.O. 426 Ibrahemia, Alexandria 21321, Egypt
- Chemistry Department, Faculty of Science, Taibah University, Yanbu 46423 Saudi Arabia
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19
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Adhikari N, Banerjee S, Baidya SK, Ghosh B, Jha T. Ligand-based quantitative structural assessments of SARS-CoV-2 3CL pro inhibitors: An analysis in light of structure-based multi-molecular modeling evidences. J Mol Struct 2021; 1251:132041. [PMID: 34866654 PMCID: PMC8627846 DOI: 10.1016/j.molstruc.2021.132041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2021] [Revised: 11/10/2021] [Accepted: 11/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Due to COVID-19, the whole world is undergoing a devastating situation, but treatment with no such drug candidates still has been established exclusively. In that context, 69 diverse chemicals with potential SARS-CoV-2 3CLpro inhibitory property were taken into consideration for building different internally and externally validated linear (SW-MLR and GA-MLR), non-linear (ANN and SVM) QSAR, and HQSAR models to identify important structural and physicochemical characters required for SARS-CoV-2 3CLpro inhibition. Importantly, 2-oxopyrrolidinyl methyl and benzylester functions, and methylene (hydroxy) sulphonic acid warhead group, were crucial for retaining higher SARS-CoV-2 3CLpro inhibition. These GA-MLR and HQSAR models were also applied to predict some already repurposed drugs. As per the GA-MLR model, curcumin, ribavirin, saquinavir, sepimostat, and remdesivir were found to be the potent ones, whereas according to the HQSAR model, lurasidone, saquinavir, lopinavir, elbasvir, and paritaprevir were the highly effective SARS-CoV-2 3CLpro inhibitors. The binding modes of those repurposed drugs were also justified by the molecular docking, molecular dynamics (MD) simulation, and binding energy calculations conducted by several groups of researchers. This current work, therefore, may be able to find out important structural parameters to accelerate the COVID-19 drug discovery processes in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nilanjan Adhikari
- Natural Science Laboratory, Division of Medicinal and Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Jadavpur University, Kolkata 700032, India
| | - Suvankar Banerjee
- Natural Science Laboratory, Division of Medicinal and Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Jadavpur University, Kolkata 700032, India
| | - Sandip Kumar Baidya
- Natural Science Laboratory, Division of Medicinal and Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Jadavpur University, Kolkata 700032, India
| | - Balaram Ghosh
- Epigenetic Research Laboratory, Birla Institute of Technology and Science-Pilani Hyderabad Campus, Shamirpet, Hyderabad, India, 500078
| | - Tarun Jha
- Natural Science Laboratory, Division of Medicinal and Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Jadavpur University, Kolkata 700032, India
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20
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Lee CC, Hsieh CC, Ko WC. Molnupiravir-A Novel Oral Anti-SARS-CoV-2 Agent. Antibiotics (Basel) 2021; 10:antibiotics10111294. [PMID: 34827232 PMCID: PMC8614993 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics10111294] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2021] [Revised: 10/20/2021] [Accepted: 10/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Since December 2019, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has rapidly resulted in a global pandemic with approximately 4 million deaths. Effective oral antiviral agents are urgently needed to treat coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19), block SARS-CoV-2 transmission, and prevent progression to severe illness. Molnupiravir (formerly EIDD-2801), a prodrug of beta-d-N4-hydroxycytidine (EIDD-1931) and an inhibitor of RNA-dependent RNA polymerase, possesses significant activity against SARS-CoV-2. Its prophylactic efficacy has been evidenced in a ferret model. Two phase-I trials (NCT04392219 and NCT04746183) have demonstrated that oral molnupiravir is safe and well-tolerated at therapeutic doses. After five-days of oral molnupiravir therapy, satisfactory efficacies, assessed by eliminating nasopharyngeal virus in patients with early and mild COVID-19, were disclosed in two phase-II trials (NCT04405739 and NCT 04405570). Two phase-II/III trials, NCT04575597 and NCT04575584, with estimated enrollments of 1850 and 304 cases, respectively, are ongoing. The NCT04575597 recently released that molnupiravir significantly reduced the risk of hospitalization or death in adults experiencing mild or moderate COVID-19. To benefit individual and public health, clinical applications of molnupiravir to promptly treat COVID-19 patients and prevent SARS-CoV-2 transmission may be expected.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ching-Chi Lee
- Clinical Medicine Research Center, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 704, Taiwan;
- Department of Internal Medicine, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 704, Taiwan
| | - Chih-Chia Hsieh
- Department of Emergency Medicine, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 704, Taiwan;
| | - Wen-Chien Ko
- Department of Internal Medicine, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 704, Taiwan
- Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 701, Taiwan
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +886-6-2353535 (ext. 3596); Fax: +886-6-2752038
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21
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Al-Wahaibi LH, Mostafa A, Mostafa YA, Abou-Ghadir OF, Abdelazeem AH, Gouda AM, Kutkat O, Abo Shama NM, Shehata M, Gomaa HAM, Abdelrahman MH, Mohamed FAM, Gu X, Ali MA, Trembleau L, Youssif BGM. Discovery of novel oxazole-based macrocycles as anti-coronaviral agents targeting SARS-CoV-2 main protease. Bioorg Chem 2021; 116:105363. [PMID: 34555629 PMCID: PMC8445767 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2021.105363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2021] [Revised: 09/01/2021] [Accepted: 09/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
We have discovered a family of synthetic oxazole-based macrocycles to be active against SARS-CoV-2. The synthesis, pharmacological properties, and docking studies of the compounds are reported in this study. The structure of the new macrocycles was confirmed by NMR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. Compounds 13, 14, and 15a-c were evaluated for their anti-SARS-CoV-2 activity on SARS-COV-2 (NRC-03-nhCoV) virus in Vero-E6 cells. Isopropyl triester 13 and triacid 14 demonstrated superior inhibitory activities against SARS-CoV-2 compared to carboxamides 15a-c. MTT cytotoxicity assays showed that the CC50 (50% cytotoxicity concentration) of 13, 14, and 15a-c ranged from 159.1 to 741.8 μM and their safety indices ranged from 2.50 to 39.1. Study of the viral inhibition via different mechanisms of action (viral adsorption, replication, or virucidal property) showed that 14 had mild virucidal (60%) and inhibitory effects on virus adsorption (66%) at 20 μM concentrations. Compound 13 displayed several inhibitory effects at three levels, but the potency of its action is primarily virucidal. The inhibitory activity of compounds 13, 14, and 15a-c against the enzyme SARS-CoV-2 Mpro was evaluated. Isopropyl triester 13 had a significant inhibition activity against SARS-CoV-2 Mpro with an IC50 of 2.58 µM. Large substituents on the macrocyclic template significantly reduced the inhibitory effects of the compounds. Study of the docking of the compounds in the SARS CoV-2-Mpro active site showed that the most potent macrocycles 13 and 14 exhibited the best fit and highest affinity for the active site binding pocket. Taken together, the present study shows that the new macrocyclic compounds constitute a new family of SARS CoV-2-Mpro inhibitors that are worth being further optimized and developed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lamya H Al-Wahaibi
- Department of Chemistry, College of Sciences, Princess Nourah Bint Abdulrahman University, Saudi Arabia.
| | - Ahmed Mostafa
- Center of Scientific Excellence for Influenza Viruses, National Research Centre, Giza, Egypt
| | - Yaser A Mostafa
- Pharmaceutical Organic Chemistry Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Assiut University, Assiut 71526, Egypt
| | - Ola F Abou-Ghadir
- Pharmaceutical Organic Chemistry Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Assiut University, Assiut 71526, Egypt
| | - Ahmed H Abdelazeem
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Beni-Suef University, Beni-Suef 62514, Egypt; Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Riyadh Elm University, Riyadh 11681, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ahmed M Gouda
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Beni-Suef University, Beni-Suef 62514, Egypt
| | - Omnia Kutkat
- Center of Scientific Excellence for Influenza Viruses, National Research Centre, Giza, Egypt
| | - Noura M Abo Shama
- Center of Scientific Excellence for Influenza Viruses, National Research Centre, Giza, Egypt
| | - Mahmoud Shehata
- Center of Scientific Excellence for Influenza Viruses, National Research Centre, Giza, Egypt
| | - Hesham A M Gomaa
- Pharmacology Department, College of Pharmacy, Jouf University, Sakaka, Aljouf 72341, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mostafa H Abdelrahman
- Department of Pharmaceutical Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Al-Azhar University, Assiut 71524, Egypt; Chemistry Department, School of Natural and Computing Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Meston Building, Aberdeen AB24 3UE, United Kingdom
| | - Fatma A M Mohamed
- Clinical Laboratory Science Department, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Jouf University, Aljouf 72341, Saudi Arabia; Chemistry Department, Faculty of Science, Alexandria University, Alexandria 21321, Egypt
| | - Xuyuan Gu
- Chemistry Department, School of Natural and Computing Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Meston Building, Aberdeen AB24 3UE, United Kingdom
| | - Mohamed A Ali
- Center of Scientific Excellence for Influenza Viruses, National Research Centre, Giza, Egypt
| | - Laurent Trembleau
- Chemistry Department, School of Natural and Computing Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Meston Building, Aberdeen AB24 3UE, United Kingdom.
| | - Bahaa G M Youssif
- Pharmaceutical Organic Chemistry Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Assiut University, Assiut 71526, Egypt.
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22
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Ghosh K, Amin SA, Gayen S, Jha T. Unmasking of crucial structural fragments for coronavirus protease inhibitors and its implications in COVID-19 drug discovery. J Mol Struct 2021; 1237:130366. [PMID: 33814612 PMCID: PMC7997030 DOI: 10.1016/j.molstruc.2021.130366] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2020] [Revised: 03/19/2021] [Accepted: 03/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Fragment based drug discovery (FBDD) by the aid of different modelling techniques have been emerged as a key drug discovery tool in the area of pharmaceutical science and technology. The merits of employing these methods, in place of other conventional molecular modelling techniques, endorsed clear detection of the possible structural fragments present in diverse set of investigated compounds and can create alternate possibilities of lead optimization in drug discovery. In this work, two fragment identification tools namely SARpy and Laplacian-corrected Bayesian analysis were used for previous SARS-CoV PLpro and 3CLpro inhibitors. A robust and predictive SARpy based fragments identification was performed which have been validated further by Laplacian-corrected Bayesian model. These comprehensive approaches have advantages since fragments are straight forward to interpret. Moreover, distinguishing the key molecular features (with respect to ECFP_6 fingerprint) revealed good or bad influences for the SARS-CoV protease inhibitory activities. Furthermore, the identified fragments could be implemented in the medicinal chemistry endeavors of COVID-19 drug discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kalyan Ghosh
- Laboratory of Drug Design and Discovery, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Dr. Harisingh Gour University, Sagar, MP, India
| | - Sk Abdul Amin
- Natural Science Laboratory, Division of Medicinal and Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Jadavpur University, Kolkata, India
| | - Shovanlal Gayen
- Laboratory of Drug Design and Discovery, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Dr. Harisingh Gour University, Sagar, MP, India
| | - Tarun Jha
- Natural Science Laboratory, Division of Medicinal and Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Jadavpur University, Kolkata, India
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23
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Amin SA, Banerjee S, Singh S, Qureshi IA, Gayen S, Jha T. First structure-activity relationship analysis of SARS-CoV-2 virus main protease (Mpro) inhibitors: an endeavor on COVID-19 drug discovery. Mol Divers 2021; 25:1827-1838. [PMID: 33400085 PMCID: PMC7782049 DOI: 10.1007/s11030-020-10166-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2020] [Accepted: 11/28/2020] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Main protease (Mpro) of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) intervenes in the replication and transcription processes of the virus. Hence, it is a lucrative target for anti-viral drug development. In this study, molecular modeling analyses were performed on the structure activity data of recently reported diverse SARS-CoV-2 Mpro inhibitors to understand the structural requirements for higher inhibitory activity. The classification-based quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) models were generated between SARS-CoV-2 Mpro inhibitory activities and different descriptors. Identification of structural fingerprints to increase or decrease in the inhibitory activity was mapped for possible inclusion/exclusion of these fingerprints in the lead optimization process. Challenges in ADME properties of protease inhibitors were also discussed to overcome the problems of oral bioavailability. Further, depending on the modeling results, we have proposed novel as well as potent SARS-CoV-2 Mpro inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sk Abdul Amin
- Natural Science Laboratory, Division of Medicinal and Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Jadavpur University, Kolkata, 700032, India
| | - Suvankar Banerjee
- Natural Science Laboratory, Division of Medicinal and Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Jadavpur University, Kolkata, 700032, India
| | - Samayaditya Singh
- Department of Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, School of Life Sciences, University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad, 500046, Telangana, India
| | - Insaf Ahmed Qureshi
- Department of Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, School of Life Sciences, University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad, 500046, Telangana, India
| | - Shovanlal Gayen
- Laboratory of Drug Design and Discovery, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Dr. Harisingh Gour University, Sagar, 470003, MP, India.
| | - Tarun Jha
- Natural Science Laboratory, Division of Medicinal and Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Jadavpur University, Kolkata, 700032, India.
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Pascarella S, Ciccozzi M, Zella D, Bianchi M, Benedetti F, Benvenuto D, Broccolo F, Cauda R, Caruso A, Angeletti S, Giovanetti M, Cassone A. SARS-CoV-2 B.1.617 Indian variants: Are electrostatic potential changes responsible for a higher transmission rate? J Med Virol 2021; 93:6551-6556. [PMID: 34260088 PMCID: PMC8426736 DOI: 10.1002/jmv.27210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2021] [Revised: 06/11/2021] [Accepted: 07/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Lineage B.1.617+, also known as G/452R.V3 and now denoted by WHO with the Greek letters δ and κ, is a recently described SARS‐CoV‐2 variant under investigation first identified in October 2020 in India. As of May 2021, three sublineages labeled as B.1.617.1 (κ), B.1.617.2 (δ), and B.1.617.3 have been already identified, and their potential impact on the current pandemic is being studied. This variant has 13 amino acid changes, three in its spike protein, which are currently of particular concern: E484Q, L452R, and P681R. Here, we report a major effect of the mutations characterizing this lineage, represented by a marked alteration of the surface electrostatic potential (EP) of the receptor‐binding domain (RBD) of the spike protein. Enhanced RBD‐EP is particularly noticeable in the B.1.617.2 (δ) sublineage, which shows multiple replacements of neutral or negatively charged amino acids with positively charged amino acids. We here hypothesize that this EP change can favor the interaction between the B.1.617+ RBD and the negatively charged ACE2, thus conferring a potential increase in the virus transmission. Lineage B.1.617.2, is a recently described SARS‐CoV‐2 VOC first identified in October 2020 in India. Three sublineages labeled as B.1.617.1, B.1.617.2, and B.1.617.3 have been already identified. Enhanced RBD‐EP is particularly noticeable in the B.1.617.2 VOC which shows multiple replacements of neutral or negatively charged amino acids with positively charged amino acids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefano Pascarella
- Department of Biochemical Sciences "A. Rossi Fanelli", Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Massimo Ciccozzi
- Medical Statistic and Molecular Epidemiology Unit, University of Biomedical Campus, Rome, Italy
| | - Davide Zella
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Institute of Human Virology and Global Virus Network Center, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Martina Bianchi
- Department of Biochemical Sciences "A. Rossi Fanelli", Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesca Benedetti
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Institute of Human Virology and Global Virus Network Center, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Domenico Benvenuto
- Medical Statistic and Molecular Epidemiology Unit, University of Biomedical Campus, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesco Broccolo
- Department of Clinical Medicine and Prevention, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
| | - Roberto Cauda
- Istituto Clinica di Malattie Infettive, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Arnaldo Caruso
- Department of Microbiology and Virology, Spedali Civili, Brescia, Italy
| | - Silvia Angeletti
- Unit of Clinical Laboratory Science, University Campus Bio-Medico of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Marta Giovanetti
- Laboratório de Flavivírus, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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Synthetic and computational efforts towards the development of peptidomimetics and small-molecule SARS-CoV 3CLpro inhibitors. Bioorg Med Chem 2021; 46:116301. [PMID: 34332853 PMCID: PMC8254399 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2021.116301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2021] [Revised: 06/25/2021] [Accepted: 06/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) is a severe febrile respiratory disease caused by the beta genus of human coronavirus, known as SARS-CoV. Last year, 2019-n-CoV (COVID-19) was a global threat for everyone caused by the outbreak of SARS-CoV-2. 3CLpro, chymotrypsin-like protease, is a major cysteine protease that substantially contributes throughout the viral life cycle of SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2. It is a prospective target for the development of SARS-CoV inhibitors by applying a repurposing strategy. This review focuses on a detailed overview of the chemical synthesis and computational chemistry perspectives of peptidomimetic inhibitors (PIs) and small-molecule inhibitors (SMIs) targeting viral proteinase discovered from 2004 to 2020. The PIs and SMIs are one of the primary therapeutic inventions for SARS-CoV. The journey of different analogues towards the evolution of SARS-CoV 3CLpro inhibitors and complete synthetic preparation of nineteen derivatives of PIs and ten derivatives of SMIs and their computational chemistry perspectives were reviewed. From each class of derivatives, we have identified and highlighted the most compelling PIs and SMIs for SARS-CoV 3CLpro. The protein-ligand interaction of 29 inhibitors were also studied that involved with the 3CLpro inhibition, and the frequent amino acid residues of the protease were also analyzed that are responsible for the interactions with the inhibitors. This work will provide an initiative to encourage further research for the development of effective and drug-like 3CLpro inhibitors against coronaviruses in the near future.
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An Updated Review of Computer-Aided Drug Design and Its Application to COVID-19. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2021; 2021:8853056. [PMID: 34258282 PMCID: PMC8241505 DOI: 10.1155/2021/8853056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2020] [Revised: 05/31/2021] [Accepted: 06/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
The recent outbreak of the deadly coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) pandemic poses serious health concerns around the world. The lack of approved drugs or vaccines continues to be a challenge and further necessitates the discovery of new therapeutic molecules. Computer-aided drug design has helped to expedite the drug discovery and development process by minimizing the cost and time. In this review article, we highlight two important categories of computer-aided drug design (CADD), viz., the ligand-based as well as structured-based drug discovery. Various molecular modeling techniques involved in structure-based drug design are molecular docking and molecular dynamic simulation, whereas ligand-based drug design includes pharmacophore modeling, quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSARs), and artificial intelligence (AI). We have briefly discussed the significance of computer-aided drug design in the context of COVID-19 and how the researchers continue to rely on these computational techniques in the rapid identification of promising drug candidate molecules against various drug targets implicated in the pathogenesis of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The structural elucidation of pharmacological drug targets and the discovery of preclinical drug candidate molecules have accelerated both structure-based as well as ligand-based drug design. This review article will help the clinicians and researchers to exploit the immense potential of computer-aided drug design in designing and identification of drug molecules and thereby helping in the management of fatal disease.
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Adhikari N, Banerjee S, Baidya SK, Ghosh B, Jha T. Robust classification-based molecular modelling of diverse chemical entities as potential SARS-CoV-2 3CL pro inhibitors: theoretical justification in light of experimental evidences. SAR AND QSAR IN ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2021; 32:473-493. [PMID: 34011224 DOI: 10.1080/1062936x.2021.1914721] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2021] [Accepted: 04/06/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
COVID-19 is the most unanticipated incidence of 2020 affecting the human population worldwide. Currently, it is utmost important to produce novel small molecule anti-SARS-CoV-2 drugs urgently that can save human lives globally. Based on the earlier SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV infection along with the general characters of coronaviral replication, a number of drug molecules have been proposed. However, one of the major limitations is the lack of experimental observations with different drug molecules. In this article, 70 diverse chemicals having experimental SARS-CoV-2 3CLproinhibitory activity were accounted for robust classification-based QSAR analysis statistically validated with 4 different methodologies to recognize the crucial structural features responsible for imparting the activity. Results obtained from all these methodologies supported and validated each other. Important observations obtained from these analyses were also justified with the ligand-bound crystal structure of SARS-CoV-2 3CLpro enzyme. Our results suggest that molecules should contain a 2-oxopyrrolidine scaffold as well as a methylene (hydroxy) sulphonic acid warhead in proper orientation to achieve higher inhibitory potency against SARS-CoV-2 3CLpro. Outcomes of our study may be able to design and discover highly effective SARS-CoV-2 3CLpro inhibitors as potential anticoronaviral therapy to crusade against COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- N Adhikari
- Natural Science Laboratory, Division of Medicinal and Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Jadavpur University, Kolkata, India
| | - S Banerjee
- Natural Science Laboratory, Division of Medicinal and Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Jadavpur University, Kolkata, India
| | - S K Baidya
- Natural Science Laboratory, Division of Medicinal and Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Jadavpur University, Kolkata, India
| | - B Ghosh
- Department of Pharmacy, BITS-Pilani, Hyderabad, India
| | - T Jha
- Natural Science Laboratory, Division of Medicinal and Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Jadavpur University, Kolkata, India
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Dessie G, Malik T. Role of Serine Proteases and Host Cell Receptors Involved in Proteolytic Activation, Entry of SARS-CoV-2 and Its Current Therapeutic Options. Infect Drug Resist 2021; 14:1883-1892. [PMID: 34079299 PMCID: PMC8163626 DOI: 10.2147/idr.s308176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2021] [Accepted: 04/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The current global pandemic of a novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 continues with its public health disaster beginning from late December 2019 in Wuhan, Hubei province, China. The scientific community has tried to fight against this novel coronavirus through vaccine development and designing different candidate drugs. However, there is no well-defined therapy to prevent 2019-nCov infection, thus complete prevention of the virus remains difficult. Therefore, it is a critical factor for death of millions worldwide. Many clinical trials and insights are ongoing in the struggle with this pandemic of SARS-CoV-2. SARS-CoV-2 entry into the host cell requires host cell angiotensin-converting enzyme-2 (ACE2) and glucose regulated protein 78 (GRP78). On the other hand, proteolytic activation of the viral spike protein (S protein) needs the host cell serine proteases, including transmembrane serine protease 2 (TMPRSS2), cathepsins, trypsin and furin. This review focuses on the protein involved in the mechanism of entry, and proteolytic activation. In addition, it looks at current therapeutic options for SARS-CoV-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gashaw Dessie
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia
| | - Tabarak Malik
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia
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Shiryaev VA, Klimochkin YN. Main Chemotypes of SARS-CoV-2 Reproduction Inhibitors. RUSSIAN JOURNAL OF ORGANIC CHEMISTRY 2021. [PMCID: PMC8188765 DOI: 10.1134/s107042802105002x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has forced scientists all over the world to focus their effort on searching for targeted drugs for coronavirus chemotherapy. The present review is an attempt to systematize low-molecular-weight compounds, including well-known pharmaceuticals and natural substances that have exhibited high anti-coronavirus activity, not in terms of action on their targets, but in terms of their structural type.
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Affiliation(s)
- V. A. Shiryaev
- Samara State Technical University, 443100 Samara, Russia
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Liang C, Hui N, Liu Y, Qiao G, Li J, Tian L, Ju X, Jia M, Liu H, Cao W, Yu P, Li H, Ren X. Insights into forsythia honeysuckle (Lianhuaqingwen) capsules: A Chinese herbal medicine repurposed for COVID-19 pandemic. PHYTOMEDICINE PLUS : INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHYTOTHERAPY AND PHYTOPHARMACOLOGY 2021; 1:100027. [PMID: 35399819 PMCID: PMC7833308 DOI: 10.1016/j.phyplu.2021.100027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2020] [Revised: 01/08/2021] [Accepted: 01/11/2021] [Indexed: 04/17/2023]
Abstract
Background In December 2019, a novel coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2 caused a series of acute atypical respiratory diseases worldwide. However, there is still a lack of drugs with clear curative effects, and the clinical trial research of vaccines has not been completely finished. Purpose LH capsules are approved TCM patent medicine that are widely used for the treatment of respiratory tract infectious diseases caused by colds and flu. On April 12, 2020, LH capsules and granules were officially repurposed by the China Food and Drug Administration (CFDA) for patients with mild COVID-19 based on their safety and efficacy demonstrated through multicentre, randomized, controlled clinical trials. We hope to conduct a comprehensive review of it through modern pharmacy methods, and try to explain its possible mechanism. Methods Using the full names of LH capsules Lianhuaqingwen, Lianhua Qingwen andSARS-COV-2, COVID-19 as the keywords of the search terms, systemically search for existing related papers in various databases such as Web of Science and PubMed. And completed the collection of clinical data in ClinicalTrials.gov and Chinese Clinical Trial Registry. Last but not least, we have sorted out the anti-inflammatory and antiviral mechanisms of LH capsules through literature and Selleck. Results This review systematically sorted out the active ingredients in LH capsules. Furthermore, the related pharmacological and clinical trials of LH capsule on SARS-CoV-2, IAV and IBV were discussed in detail. Moreover, the present review provides the first summary of the potential molecular mechanism of specific substances in LH capsules involved in resistance to SARS-COV-2 infection and the inhibition of cytokine storm syndrome (CSS) caused by IL-6. Conclusion This review summarizes the available reports and evidence that support the use of LH capsules as potential drug candidates for the prevention and treatment of COVID-19. However, TCM exerts its effects through multiple targets and multiple pathways, and LH capsules are not an exception. Therefore, the relevant mechanisms need to be further improved and experimentally verified.
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Key Words
- 3C-like protease (3CLpro)
- 3CLpro, 3C-like protease
- ACE2, Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2
- AECOPD, Acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
- AIDS, Acquired immune deficiency syndrome
- AQP3, Aquaporins 3
- ARDS, Acute respiratory distress syndrome
- CAT, COPD assessment test
- CC50, 50% Cytotoxic concentration
- CCL-2/MCP-1, C—C motif ligand 2/monocyte chemoattractant protein-1
- CFDA, China Food and Drug Administration
- COPD, Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
- COVID-19
- COVID-19, Coronavirus disease 2019
- CPE, Cytopathic effect
- CSS, Cytokine storm syndrome
- CT, Computed tomography
- CXCL-10/IP-10, C-X-C Motif Chemokine Ligand 10/ Interferon Gamma-induced Protein 10
- Cytokine storm syndrome (CSS)
- DMSO, Dimethyl sulfoxide
- E protein, Envelope protein
- ERK, Extracellular signal-regulated kinase
- FBS, Fatal bovine serum
- Forsythia honeysuckle (Lianhuaqingwen,LH) capsules
- Grb2, Growth factor receptor-bound protein 2
- HIV, Human immunodeficiency virus
- HPLC, High-performance liquid chromatography
- HSV-1, Herpes simplex virus type 1
- HVJ, Hemagglutinating virus of Japan
- Hep-2, Human epithelial type 2
- Huh-7, Human Hepatocellular Carcinoma-7
- IAV, Influenza A virus
- IBV, Influenza B virus
- IC50, 50% Inhibition concentration
- IFN-λ1, Interferon-λ1
- IL-6, Interleukin-6
- IL-6R, IL-6 Receptor
- IL-8, Interleukin-8
- IP-10, Interferon-inducible protein-10
- JAK/STAT, Janus kinase/signal transducers and activators of transcription
- JAK1/2, Janus kinase1/2
- LD50, 50% Lethal dose
- LH capsules, Forsythia honeysuckle (Lianhuaqingwen) capsules
- M protein, Membrane protein
- MAPK, Mitogen-activated protein kinase
- MCP-1, Monocyte chemotactic protein 1
- MDCK, Madin-darby canine kidney
- MEK, Mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase
- MERS, Middle east respiratory syndrome
- MIP-1β, Macrophage Inflammatory Protein-1β
- MLD50, 50% Minimum lethal dose
- MOF, Multifunctional organ damage
- MOI, Multiplicity of infection
- MTT, Methyl Thiazolyl Tetrazolium
- NF-kB, Nuclear transcription factor kappa-B
- NHC, National Health Commission
- ORFs, Open reading frames
- PBS, Phosphate buffered saline
- PHN, Phillyrin
- PI3K, Phosphoinositide 3-kinases
- PKA/p-CREB, Protein kinase A /phosphorylated cAMP response element-binding protein
- PKB, Akt, Protein kinase B
- PLpro, Papain-like proteases
- PRC, People's Republic of China
- QC, Quality control
- RANTES, Regulated on activation normal T cell expressed and secreted
- RSV, Respiratory syncytial virus
- RT-PCR, Reverse transcription PCR
- Ras, Ras GTPase
- SARS-CoV-2
- TCID50, 50% Tissue culture infective dose
- TD0, Non-toxic Dose
- TD50, Half-toxic dose
- Vero E6, African Green Monkey Kidney Epithelial-6
- gp-130, Glycoprotein 130
- mIL-6R, Membrane-bound form IL-6 Receptor
- mTOR, Mammalian target of rapamycin
- nsps, Non-structural proteins
- qPCR, Quantitative PCR
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Affiliation(s)
- Chengyuan Liang
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Shaanxi University of Science & Technology, Xi'an 710021, PR China
| | - Nan Hui
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Shaanxi University of Science & Technology, Xi'an 710021, PR China
| | - Yuzhi Liu
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Shaanxi University of Science & Technology, Xi'an 710021, PR China
| | - Guaiping Qiao
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Shaanxi University of Science & Technology, Xi'an 710021, PR China
| | - Juan Li
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Shaanxi University of Science & Technology, Xi'an 710021, PR China
| | - Lei Tian
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Shaanxi University of Science & Technology, Xi'an 710021, PR China
| | - Xingke Ju
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Shaanxi University of Science & Technology, Xi'an 710021, PR China
| | - Minyi Jia
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Shaanxi University of Science & Technology, Xi'an 710021, PR China
| | - Hong Liu
- Zhuhai Jinan Selenium Source Nanotechnology Co., Ltd., Hengqin New Area, Zhuhai 519030, PR China
| | - Wenqiang Cao
- Zhuhai Jinan Selenium Source Nanotechnology Co., Ltd., Hengqin New Area, Zhuhai 519030, PR China
| | - Pengcheng Yu
- School of Basic Medicine and Clinical Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, PR China
| | - Han Li
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Shaanxi University of Science & Technology, Xi'an 710021, PR China
| | - Xiaodong Ren
- Medical College, Guizhou University, Guiyang 550025, PR China
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Amin SA, Banerjee S, Gayen S, Jha T. Protease targeted COVID-19 drug discovery: What we have learned from the past SARS-CoV inhibitors? Eur J Med Chem 2021; 215:113294. [PMID: 33618158 PMCID: PMC7880840 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2021.113294] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2020] [Revised: 02/06/2021] [Accepted: 02/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
The fascinating similarity between the SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2, inspires scientific community to investigate deeper into the SARS-CoV proteases such as main protease (Mpro) and papain-like protease (PLpro) and their inhibitors for the discovery of SARS-CoV-2 protease inhibitors. Because of the similarity in the proteases of these two corona viruses, there is a greater chance for the previous SARS-CoV Mpro and PLpro inhibitors to provide effective results against SARS-CoV-2. In this context, the molecular fragments from the SARS-CoV protease inhibitors through the fragment-based drug design and discovery technique can be useful guidance for COVID-19 drug discovery. Here, we have focused on the structure-activity relationship studies of previous SARS-CoV protease inhibitors and discussed about crucial fragments generated from previous SARS-CoV protease inhibitors important for the lead optimization of SARS-CoV-2 protease inhibitors. This study surely offers different strategic options of lead optimization to the medicinal chemists to discover effective anti-viral agent against the devastating disease, COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sk Abdul Amin
- Natural Science Laboratory, Division of Medicinal and Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, P. O. Box 17020, Jadavpur University, Kolkata, 700032, India
| | - Suvankar Banerjee
- Natural Science Laboratory, Division of Medicinal and Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, P. O. Box 17020, Jadavpur University, Kolkata, 700032, India
| | - Shovanlal Gayen
- Laboratory of Drug Design and Discovery, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Dr. Harisingh Gour University, Sagar, MP, India.
| | - Tarun Jha
- Natural Science Laboratory, Division of Medicinal and Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, P. O. Box 17020, Jadavpur University, Kolkata, 700032, India.
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Vicenti I, Zazzi M, Saladini F. SARS-CoV-2 RNA-dependent RNA polymerase as a therapeutic target for COVID-19. Expert Opin Ther Pat 2021; 31:325-337. [PMID: 33475441 PMCID: PMC7938656 DOI: 10.1080/13543776.2021.1880568] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2020] [Accepted: 01/20/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Introduction: The current SARS-CoV-2 pandemic urgently demands for both prevention and treatment strategies. RNA-dependent RNA-polymerase (RdRp), which has no counterpart in human cells, is an excellent target for drug development. Given the time-consuming process of drug development, repurposing drugs approved for other indications or at least successfully tested in terms of safety and tolerability, is an attractive strategy to rapidly provide an effective medication for severe COVID-19 cases.Areas covered: The currently available data and upcominSg studies on RdRp which can be repurposed to halt SARS-CoV-2 replication, are reviewed.Expert opinion: Drug repurposing and design of novel compounds are proceeding in parallel to provide a quick response and new specific drugs, respectively. Notably, the proofreading SARS-CoV-2 exonuclease activity could limit the potential for drugs designed as immediate chain terminators and favor the development of compounds acting through delayed termination. While vaccination is awaited to curb the SARS-CoV-2 epidemic, even partially effective drugs from repurposing strategies can be of help to treat severe cases of disease. Considering the high conservation of RdRp among coronaviruses, an improved knowledge of its activity in vitro can provide useful information for drug development or drug repurposing to combat SARS-CoV-2 as well as future pandemics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilaria Vicenti
- Department of Medical Biotechnologies, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Maurizio Zazzi
- Department of Medical Biotechnologies, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Francesco Saladini
- Department of Medical Biotechnologies, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
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Exploring naphthyl derivatives as SARS-CoV papain-like protease (PLpro) inhibitors and its implications in COVID-19 drug discovery. Mol Divers 2021; 26:215-228. [PMID: 33675510 PMCID: PMC7936608 DOI: 10.1007/s11030-021-10198-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2020] [Accepted: 02/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Abstract Novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) emerges as a serious threat to public health globally. The rapid spreading of COVID-19, caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), proclaimed the multitude of applied research needed not only to save the human health but also for the environmental safety. As per the recent World Health Organization reports, the novel corona virus may never be wiped out completely from the world. In this connection, the inhibitors already designed against different targets of previous human coronavirus (HCoV) infections will be a great starting point for further optimization. Pinpointing biochemical events censorious to the HCoV lifecycle has provided two proteases: a papain-like protease (PLpro) and a 3C-like protease (3CLpro) enzyme essential for viral replication. In this study, naphthyl derivatives inhibiting PLpro enzyme were subjected to robust molecular modelling approaches to understand different structural fingerprints important for the inhibition. Here, we cover two main aspects such as (a) exploration of naphthyl derivatives by classification QSAR analyses to find important fingerprints that module the SARS-CoV PLpro inhibition and (b) implications of naphthyl derivatives against SARS-CoV-2 PLpro enzyme through detailed ligand–receptor interaction analysis. The modelling insights will help in the speedy design of potent broad spectrum PLpro inhibitors against infectious SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2 in the future. Graphical Abstract ![]()
Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at(10.1007/s11030-021-10198-3) .
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Tian D, Liu Y, Liang C, Xin L, Xie X, Zhang D, Wan M, Li H, Fu X, Liu H, Cao W. An update review of emerging small-molecule therapeutic options for COVID-19. Biomed Pharmacother 2021; 137:111313. [PMID: 33556871 PMCID: PMC7857046 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2021.111313] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2020] [Revised: 01/16/2021] [Accepted: 01/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The SARS-CoV-2 outbreak and pandemic that began near the end of 2019 has posed a challenge to global health. At present, many candidate small-molecule therapeutics have been developed that can inhibit both the infection and replication of SARS-CoV-2 and even potentially relieve cytokine storms and other related complications. Meanwhile, host-targeted drugs that inhibit cellular transmembrane serine protease (TMPRSS2) can prevent SARS-CoV-2 from entering cells, and its combination with chloroquine and dihydroorotate dehydrogenase (DHODH) inhibitors can limit the spread of SARS-CoV-2 and reduce the morbidity and mortality of patients with COVID-19. The present article provides an overview of these small-molecule therapeutics based on insights from medicinal chemistry research and focuses on RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) inhibitors, such as the nucleoside analogues remdesivir, favipiravir and ribavirin. This review also covers inhibitors of 3C-like protease (3CLpro), papain-like protease (PLpro) and other potentially innovative active ingredient molecules, describing their potential targets, activities, clinical status and side effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dengke Tian
- School of Life Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, 130012, PR China
| | - Yuzhi Liu
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Shaanxi University of Science & Technology, Xi'an, 710021, PR China
| | - Chengyuan Liang
- School of Life Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, 130012, PR China; Faculty of Pharmacy, Shaanxi University of Science & Technology, Xi'an, 710021, PR China.
| | - Liang Xin
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Shaanxi University of Science & Technology, Xi'an, 710021, PR China
| | - Xiaolin Xie
- Shaanxi Panlong Pharmaceutical Group Co., Ltd., Xi'an, 710025, PR China
| | - Dezhu Zhang
- Shaanxi Panlong Pharmaceutical Group Co., Ltd., Xi'an, 710025, PR China
| | - Minge Wan
- School of Medicine and Pharmacy, Shaanxi University of Business & Commerce, Xi'an 712046, PR China
| | - Han Li
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Shaanxi University of Science & Technology, Xi'an, 710021, PR China
| | - Xueqi Fu
- School of Life Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, 130012, PR China
| | - Hong Liu
- Zhuhai Jinan Selenium Source Nanotechnology Co., Ltd., Hengqin New Area, Zhuhai, 519030, PR China.
| | - Wenqiang Cao
- Zhuhai Jinan Selenium Source Nanotechnology Co., Ltd., Hengqin New Area, Zhuhai, 519030, PR China.
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Sun C, Zhang J, Wei J, Zheng X, Zhao X, Fang Z, Xu D, Yuan H, Liu Y. Screening, simulation, and optimization design of small molecule inhibitors of the SARS-CoV-2 spike glycoprotein. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0245975. [PMID: 33493227 PMCID: PMC7833228 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0245975] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2020] [Accepted: 01/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) outbreak is a public health emergency of international concern. The spike glycoprotein (S protein) of SARS-CoV-2 is a key target of antiviral drugs. Focusing on the existing S protein structure, molecular docking was used in this study to calculate the binding energy and interaction sites between 14 antiviral molecules with different structures and the SARS-CoV-2 S protein, and the potential drug candidates targeting the SARS-CoV-2 S protein were analyzed. Tizoxanide, dolutegravir, bictegravir, and arbidol were found to have high binding energies, and they effectively bind key sites of the S1 and S2 subunits, inhibiting the virus by causing conformational changes in S1 and S2 during the fusion of the S protein with host cells. Based on the interactions among the drug molecules, the S protein and the amino acid environment around the binding sites, rational structure-based optimization was performed using the molecular connection method and bioisosterism strategy to obtain Ti-2, BD-2, and Ar-3, which have much stronger binding ability to the S protein than the original molecules. This study provides valuable clues for identifying S protein inhibitor binding sites and the mechanism of the anti-SARS-CoV-2 effect as well as useful inspiration and help for the discovery and optimization of small molecule S protein inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chuancai Sun
- Department of Nephrology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Jinan, China
- Department of Nephrology, Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Jian Zhang
- Institute of Medical Sciences, The Second Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Jiao Wei
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Jinan, China
| | - Xiaoli Zheng
- Department of Emergency, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, China
| | - Xianyang Zhao
- Department of Nephrology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Jinan, China
- Department of Nephrology, Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Zengjun Fang
- Department of Pharmacy, The Second Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Dongmei Xu
- Department of Nephrology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Jinan, China
- Department of Nephrology, Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, China
- Nephrology Research Institute of Shandong Province, Jinan, China
| | - Huiqing Yuan
- Institute of Medical Sciences, The Second Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
- * E-mail: (YL); (HY)
| | - Yipeng Liu
- Department of Nephrology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Jinan, China
- Department of Nephrology, Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, China
- Nephrology Research Institute of Shandong Province, Jinan, China
- * E-mail: (YL); (HY)
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Ghosh K, Amin SA, Gayen S, Jha T. Chemical-informatics approach to COVID-19 drug discovery: Exploration of important fragments and data mining based prediction of some hits from natural origins as main protease (Mpro) inhibitors. J Mol Struct 2021; 1224:129026. [PMID: 32834115 PMCID: PMC7405777 DOI: 10.1016/j.molstruc.2020.129026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2020] [Revised: 07/09/2020] [Accepted: 08/04/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
As the world struggles against current global pandemic of novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19), it is challenging to trigger drug discovery efforts to search broad-spectrum antiviral agents. Thus, there is a need of strong and sustainable global collaborative works especially in terms of new and existing data analysis and sharing which will join the dots of knowledge gap. Our present chemical-informatics based data analysis approach is an attempt of application of previous activity data of SARS-CoV main protease (Mpro) inhibitors to accelerate the search of present SARS-CoV-2 Mpro inhibitors. The study design was composed of three major aspects: (1) classification QSAR based data mining of diverse SARS-CoV Mpro inhibitors, (2) identification of favourable and/or unfavourable molecular features/fingerprints/substructures regulating the Mpro inhibitory properties, (3) data mining based prediction to validate recently reported virtual hits from natural origin against SARS-CoV-2 Mpro enzyme. Our Structural and physico-chemical interpretation (SPCI) analysis suggested that heterocyclic nucleus like diazole, furan and pyridine have clear positive contribution while, thiophen, thiazole and pyrimidine may exhibit negative contribution to the SARS-CoV Mpro inhibition. Several Monte Carlo optimization based QSAR models were developed and the best model was used for screening of some natural product hits from recent publications. The resulted active molecules were analysed further from the aspects of fragment analysis. This approach set a stage for fragment exploration and QSAR based screening of active molecules against putative SARS-CoV-2 Mpro enzyme. We believe the future in vitro and in vivo studies would provide more perspectives for anti-SARS-CoV-2 agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kalyan Ghosh
- Laboratory of Drug Design and Discovery, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Dr. Harisingh Gour University, Sagar, Madhya Pradesh, 470003, India
| | - Sk Abdul Amin
- Natural Science Laboratory, Division of Medicinal and Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Jadavpur University, P. O. Box 17020, Kolkata, 700032, India
| | - Shovanlal Gayen
- Laboratory of Drug Design and Discovery, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Dr. Harisingh Gour University, Sagar, Madhya Pradesh, 470003, India
| | - Tarun Jha
- Natural Science Laboratory, Division of Medicinal and Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Jadavpur University, P. O. Box 17020, Kolkata, 700032, India
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Shagufta, Ahmad I. The race to treat COVID-19: Potential therapeutic agents for the prevention and treatment of SARS-CoV-2. Eur J Med Chem 2021; 213:113157. [PMID: 33486200 PMCID: PMC7802596 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2021.113157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2020] [Revised: 12/10/2020] [Accepted: 01/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The unforeseen emergence of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), a severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) at the Wuhan province of China in December 2019, subsequently its abrupt spread across the world has severely affected human life. In a short span of time, COVID-19 has sacked more than one million human lives and marked as a severe global pandemic, which is drastically accountable for the adverse effect directly to the human society, particularly the health care system and the economy. The unavailability of approved and effective drugs or vaccines against COVID-19 further created conditions more adverse and terrifying. To win the war against this pandemic within time there is a desperate need for the most adequate therapeutic treatment, which can be achieved by the collaborative research work among scientists worldwide. In continuation of our efforts to support the scientific community, a review has been presented which discusses the structure and the activity of numerous molecules exhibiting promising SARS-CoV-2 and other CoVs inhibition activities. Furthermore, this review offers an overview of the structure, a plausible mechanism of action of SARS-CoV-2, and crucial structural features substantial to inhibit the primary virus-based and host-based targets involved in SARS-CoV-2 treatment. We anticipate optimistically that this perspective will provide the reader and researcher’s better understanding regarding COVID-19 and pave the path in the direction of COVID-19 drug discovery and development paradigm.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shagufta
- Department of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, School of Arts and Sciences, American University of Ras Al Khaimah, Ras Al Khaimah, United Arab Emirates.
| | - Irshad Ahmad
- Department of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, School of Arts and Sciences, American University of Ras Al Khaimah, Ras Al Khaimah, United Arab Emirates
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Li D, Hu J, Li D, Yang W, Yin SF, Qiu R. Reviews on Biological Activity, Clinical Trial and Synthesis Progress of Small Molecules for the Treatment of COVID-19. Top Curr Chem (Cham) 2021; 379:4. [PMID: 33428032 PMCID: PMC7797499 DOI: 10.1007/s41061-020-00318-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2020] [Accepted: 11/27/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
COVID-19 has broken out rapidly in nearly all countries worldwide, and has blossomed into a pandemic. Since the beginning of the spread of COVID-19, many scientists have been cooperating to study a vast array of old drugs and new clinical trial drugs to discover potent drugs with anti-COVID-19 activity, including antiviral drugs, antimalarial drugs, immunosuppressants, Chinese medicines, Mpro inhibitors, JAK inhibitors, etc. The most commonly used drugs are antiviral compounds, antimalarial drugs and JAK inhibitors. In this review, we summarize mainly the antimalarial drugs chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine, the antiviral drugs Favipiravir and Remdesivir, and JAK inhibitor Ruxolitinib, discussing their biological activities, clinical trials and synthesis progress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dingzhong Li
- State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha, 410082, People's Republic of China
| | - Jianbing Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha, 410082, People's Republic of China.
| | - Dian Li
- Department of Modern Economy and Trade, Hunan Vocational College of Engineering, Changsha, 410151, People's Republic of China
| | - Weijun Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha, 410082, People's Republic of China.
| | - Shuang-Feng Yin
- State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha, 410082, People's Republic of China
| | - Renhua Qiu
- State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha, 410082, People's Republic of China.
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Rabie AM. CoViTris2020 and ChloViD2020: a striking new hope in COVID-19 therapy. Mol Divers 2021; 25:1839-1854. [PMID: 33389560 PMCID: PMC7778709 DOI: 10.1007/s11030-020-10169-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2020] [Accepted: 12/04/2020] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Abstract Designing anticoronavirus disease 2019 (anti-COVID-19) agents is the primary concern of medicinal chemists/drug designers nowadays. Repurposing of known active compounds against the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is a new effective and time-saving trend in anti-COVID-19 drug discovery. Thorough inhibition of the coronaviral-2 proteins (i.e., multitarget inhibition) is a possible powerful favorable strategy for developing effectively potent drugs for COVID-19. In this new research study, I succeeded to repurpose the two antioxidant polyhydroxy-1,3,4-oxadiazole compounds CoViTris2020 and ChloViD2020 as the first multitarget coronaviral protein blockers with extremely higher potencies (reach about 65 and 304 times, for CoViTris2020, and 20 and 93 times, for ChloViD2020, more potent than remdesivir and favipiravir, respectively). These two 2,5-disubstituted-1,3,4-oxadiazoles were computationally studied (through molecular docking in almost all SARS-CoV-2 proteins) and biologically assessed (through a newly established robust in vitro anti-COVID-19 assay) for their anticoronaviral-2 bioactivities. The data obtained from the docking investigation showed that both ligands promisingly exhibited very strong inhibitory binding affinities with almost all docked enzymes (e.g., they displayed extremely lower binding energies of − 12.00 and − 9.60 kcal/mol, respectively, with the SARS-CoV-2 RNA-dependent RNA polymerase “RdRp”). The results of the biological assay revealed that CoViTris2020 and ChloViD2020 significantly displayed very high anti-COVID-19 activities (anti-SARS-CoV-2 EC50 = 0.31 and 1.01 μM, respectively). Further in vivo/clinical studies for the development of CoViTris2020 and ChloViD2020 as anti-COVID-19 medications are required. In brief, the ascent of CoViTris2020 and ChloViD2020 as the two lead members of the novel family of anti-COVID-19 polyphenolic 2,5-disubstituted-1,3,4-oxadiazole derivatives represents a promising hope in COVID-19 therapy. Graphic abstract CoViTris2020 and ChloViD2020 inhibit SARS-CoV-2 life cycle with surprising EC50 values of 0.31 and 1.01 μM, respectively. CoViTris2020 strongly inhibits coronaviral-2 RdRp with exceptionally lower inhibitory binding energy of − 12.00 kcal/mol.![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Amgad M Rabie
- Dr. Amgad Rabie's Research Lab. for Drug Discovery (DARLD), Mansoura, Egypt. .,Pharmaceutical Organic Chemistry Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mansoura University, Mansoura, 35516, Egypt. .,, Dikernis, Egypt.
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40
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Rabie AM. Two antioxidant 2,5-disubstituted-1,3,4-oxadiazoles (CoViTris2020 and ChloViD2020): successful repurposing against COVID-19 as the first potent multitarget anti-SARS-CoV-2 drugs. NEW J CHEM 2021. [DOI: 10.1039/d0nj03708g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
CoViTris2020 and ChloViD2020 inhibit SARS-CoV-2 life cycle with EC50 values of 0.31 and 1.01 μM, respectively. CoViTris2020 strongly inhibits coronaviral-2 RdRp with lower inhibitory binding energy of −12.00 kcal mol−1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amgad M. Rabie
- Dr. Amgad Rabie's Research Lab. for Drug Discovery (DARLD)
- Mansoura
- Egypt
- Pharmaceutical Organic Chemistry Department
- Faculty of Pharmacy
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Franco LS, Maia RC, Barreiro EJ. Identification of LASSBio-1945 as an inhibitor of SARS-CoV-2 main protease (M PRO) through in silico screening supported by molecular docking and a fragment-based pharmacophore model. RSC Med Chem 2021; 12:110-119. [PMID: 34046603 PMCID: PMC8130624 DOI: 10.1039/d0md00282h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2020] [Accepted: 10/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
In December 2019, an infectious disease was detected in Wuhan, China, caused by a new pathogenic coronavirus, named SARS-CoV-2. It spread very rapidly, and on March 11th of 2020, the outbreak was declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization. Currently, effective treatment options remain limited. SARS-CoV-2 enzyme main protease (MPRO) plays a pivotal role in the viral life cycle, making it a putative drug target. In order to identify suitable hits to develop inhibitors with adequate antiviral properties, we explored the LASSBio Chemical Library employing multiple strategies of virtual screening. A fragment-based pharmacophore model enabled the identification of key interactions involved in the molecular recognition at the catalytic site of MPRO, namely, with amino acid residues His41, His163 and Glu166. Docking-based virtual screening was performed, leading to the identification of LASSBio-1945 (9), a new hit of MPRO, presenting an IC50 = 15.97 μM. This compound, an 1,3-benzodioxolyl sulfonamide, represents an interesting starting point for subsequent hit-to-lead optimization steps and, to the best of our knowledge, a new distinct chemotype for MPRO inhibition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucas S Franco
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Farmacologia e Química Medicinal, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro Avenida Carlos Chagas Filho, 373, Ilha do Fundão 21941-912 Rio de Janeiro RJ Brazil
- Laboratório de Avaliação e Síntese de Substâncias Bioativas (LASSBio®, http://www.lassbio.icb.ufrj.br), Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, CCS, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Cidade Universitária Rio de Janeiro RJ Brazil
| | - Rodolfo C Maia
- Laboratório de Avaliação e Síntese de Substâncias Bioativas (LASSBio®, http://www.lassbio.icb.ufrj.br), Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, CCS, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Cidade Universitária Rio de Janeiro RJ Brazil
- Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia de Fármacos e Medicamentos (INCT-INOFAR; http://www.inct-inofar.ccs.ufrj.br/), CCS, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Cidade Universitária Rio de Janeiro RJ Brazil
| | - Eliezer J Barreiro
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Farmacologia e Química Medicinal, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro Avenida Carlos Chagas Filho, 373, Ilha do Fundão 21941-912 Rio de Janeiro RJ Brazil
- Laboratório de Avaliação e Síntese de Substâncias Bioativas (LASSBio®, http://www.lassbio.icb.ufrj.br), Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, CCS, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Cidade Universitária Rio de Janeiro RJ Brazil
- Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia de Fármacos e Medicamentos (INCT-INOFAR; http://www.inct-inofar.ccs.ufrj.br/), CCS, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Cidade Universitária Rio de Janeiro RJ Brazil
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In silico analysis of Phyllanthus amarus phytochemicals as potent drugs against SARS-CoV-2 main protease. CURRENT RESEARCH IN GREEN AND SUSTAINABLE CHEMISTRY 2021; 4. [PMCID: PMC8364217 DOI: 10.1016/j.crgsc.2021.100159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
Phyllanthus amarus, also known as Bhui Korma in India, is well known for its medicinal properties and is used to treat several diseases worldwide. This study aims to identify phytochemicals from P. amarus and assess their anti-viral activity through in silico methods against the main protease (3CLPro/MPro) enzyme of the novel coronavirus. 190 compounds were obtained from literature and docked against 3CLPro and 16 compounds showed higher binding affinity with 3CLPro with their values lying between -8.9 kcal/mol to -9.6 kcal/mol. The top two compounds, Myricitrin (CID: 5352000) and Quercetin-3-O-glucuronide (CID: 12004528) gave high binding affinity values of -9.6 kcal/mol and -9.4 kcal/mol respectively and also display favourable binding interactions with the 3CLPro. Both the compounds were further subjected to molecular dynamics simulation and MM-PBSA based binding free energy calculations. ADMET and drug-likeness properties were studied to assess the pharmacokinetic properties of the compounds. Favourable pharmacokinetic results reinforced the applicability of the compounds assessed. Along with continuous studies being carried out with chemical compounds, research needs to expand into all areas, including the use of natural compounds as drug compounds. The identified hits from this study can be taken further for in vitro and in vivo studies to examine their efficacy against COVID-19.
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Fernández JF, Lavecchia MJ. Small molecule stabilization of non-native protein-protein interactions of SARS-CoV-2 N protein as a mechanism of action against COVID-19. J Biomol Struct Dyn 2020; 40:4488-4495. [PMID: 33356922 PMCID: PMC7784783 DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2020.1860828] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
The outbreak of COVID-19, the disease caused by SARS-CoV-2, continues to affect millions of people around the world. The absence of a globally distributed effective treatment makes the exploration of new mechanisms of action a key step to address this situation. Stabilization of non-native Protein-Protein Interactions (PPIs) of the nucleocapsid protein of MERS-CoV has been reported as a valid strategy to inhibit viral replication. In this study, the applicability of this unexplored mechanism of action against SARS-CoV-2 is analyzed. During our research, we were able to find three inducible interfaces of SARS-CoV-2 N protein NTD, compare them to the previously reported MERS-CoV stabilized dimers, and identify those residues that are responsible for their formation. A drug discovery protocol implemented consisting of docking, molecular dynamics and MM-GBSA enabled us to find several compounds that might be able to exploit this mechanism of action. In addition, a common catechin skeleton was found among many of these molecules, which might be useful for further drug design. We consider that our findings could motivate future research in the fields of drug discovery and design towards the exploitation of this previously unexplored mechanism of action against COVID-19. Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma
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Affiliation(s)
- Julián F Fernández
- Departamento de Química Orgánica, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Ciudad Universitaria, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina.,CONICET-Universidad de Buenos Aires, Unidad de Microanálisis y Métodos Físicos en Química Orgánica (UMYMFOR), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Martín J Lavecchia
- Departamento de Química, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Universidad Nacional de la Plata, CEQUINOR (UNLP CONICET, CCT La Plata, associated with CIC PBA), La Plata, Argentina
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Amin SA, Banerjee S, Ghosh K, Gayen S, Jha T. Protease targeted COVID-19 drug discovery and its challenges: Insight into viral main protease (Mpro) and papain-like protease (PLpro) inhibitors. Bioorg Med Chem 2020; 29:115860. [PMID: 33191083 PMCID: PMC7647411 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2020.115860] [Citation(s) in RCA: 107] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2020] [Revised: 10/17/2020] [Accepted: 11/01/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Prorteases (Mpro and PLpro) are part of the replication machinery of corona virus. Mpro and PLpro inhibitors may serve as therapeutic weapons against SARS-CoV-2. An exquisite picture of the recent coronavirus protease inhibitors is provided. Experimental screening approaches are also highlighted. Challenges in the development of effective as well as drug like protease inhibitors is also discussed.
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) brutally perils physical and mental health worldwide. Unavailability of effective anti-viral drug rendering global threat of COVID-19 caused by SARS-CoV-2. In this scenario, viral protease enzymes are crucial targets for drug discovery. This extensive study meticulously focused on two viral proteases such as main protease (Mpro) and papain-like protease (PLpro), those are essential for viral replication. This review provides a detail overview of the targets (Mpro and PLpro) from a structural and medicinal chemistry point of view, together with recently reported protease inhibitors. An insight into the challenges in the development of effective as well as drug like protease inhibitors is discussed. Peptidomimetic and/or covalent coronavirus protease inhibitors possessed potent and selective active site inhibition but compromised in pharmacokinetic parameters to be a drug/drug like molecule. Lead optimization of non-peptidomimetic and/or low molecular weight compounds may be a better option for oral delivery. A masterly combination of adequate pharmacokinetic properties with coronavirus protease activity as well as selectivity will provide potential drug candidates in future. This study is a part of our endeavors which surely dictates medicinal chemistry efforts to discover effective anti-viral agent for this devastating disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sk Abdul Amin
- Natural Science Laboratory, Division of Medicinal and Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, P. O. Box 17020, Jadavpur University, Kolkata 700032, India
| | - Suvankar Banerjee
- Natural Science Laboratory, Division of Medicinal and Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, P. O. Box 17020, Jadavpur University, Kolkata 700032, India
| | - Kalyan Ghosh
- Laboratory of Drug Design and Discovery, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Dr. Harisingh Gour University, Sagar, MP, India
| | - Shovanlal Gayen
- Laboratory of Drug Design and Discovery, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Dr. Harisingh Gour University, Sagar, MP, India.
| | - Tarun Jha
- Natural Science Laboratory, Division of Medicinal and Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, P. O. Box 17020, Jadavpur University, Kolkata 700032, India.
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Adhikari N, Amin SA, Jha T. Dissecting the Drug Development Strategies Against SARS-CoV-2 Through Diverse Computational Modeling Techniques. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2020. [DOI: 10.1007/7653_2020_46] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
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46
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Kallingal A, Thachan Kundil V, Ayyolath A, Karlapudi AP, Muringayil Joseph T, E JV. Molecular modeling study of tectoquinone and acteoside from Tectona grandis linn: a new SARS-CoV-2 main protease inhibitor against COVID-19. J Biomol Struct Dyn 2020; 40:1764-1775. [PMID: 33036548 DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2020.1832580] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), a highly contagious disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has drastically changed the lifestyle of people around the globe. Due to the lack of specific and effective antiviral drugs, transmission of the disease increases exponentially and makes it more serious and harder to control. Drugs that were assumed to be effective against COVID-19 have failed in various stages of clinical trials and this made the scientific community more disappointed. But, the race of researchers for developing new and effective antiviral to stop the disease progression still continues and our work is one among them. This study is an attempt to analyze the action of Tectoquinone and Acteoside; an important phytocompound, on SARS-CoV2 viral protease via in silico approach. The compounds were selected on the basis of their molecular docking values and they were subjected to molecular dynamics simulations about 50 ns to determine the stability and the thermodynamic feasibility between the target and the ligands. Binding energies like hydrogen bonding, hydrophobic and electrostatic interactions of the complexes were determined after MD simulations. The Pharmacokinetics and drug likeness evaluation of the compounds provide a strong evidence for the use of these compounds in developing drugs for clinical trials. Thus, the current study reveals the potential phytoconstituents present in Tectona grandis Linn to inhibit COVID-19 viral protease and thereby act as a lead therapeutic agent.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anoop Kallingal
- Department of Biotechnology and Microbiology, School of Lifesciences, Kannur University, Kannur, Kerala, India
| | - Varun Thachan Kundil
- Department of Biotechnology and Microbiology, School of Lifesciences, Kannur University, Kannur, Kerala, India
| | - Aravind Ayyolath
- Department of Biotechnology and Microbiology, School of Lifesciences, Kannur University, Kannur, Kerala, India
| | - Abraham Peele Karlapudi
- Department of Biotechnology, Vignan's Foundation for Science Technology & Research, Andhra Pradesh, India
| | - Tomy Muringayil Joseph
- Polymers Technology Department, Chemical Faculty, Gdansk University of Technology, Gdansk, Poland
| | - Jayadevi Variyar E
- Department of Biotechnology and Microbiology, School of Lifesciences, Kannur University, Kannur, Kerala, India
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Pawełczyk A, Zaprutko L. Anti-COVID drugs: repurposing existing drugs or search for new complex entities, strategies and perspectives. Future Med Chem 2020; 12:1743-1757. [PMID: 32698626 PMCID: PMC7377048 DOI: 10.4155/fmc-2020-0204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2020] [Accepted: 07/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
At the end of 2019, a novel virus causing severe acute respiratory syndrome to spread globally. There are currently no effective drugs targeting SARS-CoV-2. In this study, based on the analysis of numerous references and selected methods of computational chemistry, the strategy of integrative structural modification of small molecules with antiviral activity into potential active complex molecules has been presented. Proposed molecules have been designed based on the structure of triterpene oleanolic acid and complemented by structures characteristic of selected anti-COVID therapy assisted drugs. Their pharmaceutical molecular parameters and the preliminary bioactivity were calculated and predicted. The results of the above analyses show that among the designed complex substances there are potential antiviral agents directed mainly on SARS-CoV-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Pawełczyk
- Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Department of Organic Chemistry, Grunwaldzka 6, Poznań 60-780, Poland
| | - Lucjusz Zaprutko
- Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Department of Organic Chemistry, Grunwaldzka 6, Poznań 60-780, Poland
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Harky A, Mishra V, Ansari DM, Melamed N. Are open-source approaches the most efficient way forward for COVID-19 drug discovery? Expert Opin Drug Discov 2020; 16:115-117. [PMID: 32915657 DOI: 10.1080/17460441.2020.1820983] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic has catalyzed the production of potential antivirals and vaccines from research organizations across the globe. The initial step for all drug discovery models is the identification of suitable targets. One approach organizations may take to tackle this involves issuing raw data publicly for collaboration with other organizations in order to spark discussion, collectively experiment and stay up to date with advances in scientific knowledge. Areas covered: Numerous organizations have released genomic data, amongst other tools, for the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and this has led to the development of growing datasets of knowledge for continued collaboration amongst different scientific communities. A different technique employs a more closed, market-driven method in order to stay ahead financially in the race for developing a suitable antiviral or vaccine. The latter allows sustained motivation for company ambitions and progress has been made toward clinical trials for potential drugs. Expert opinion: A case can be made for both open and closed drug discovery models; however, due to the rapidly evolving nature of this deadly virus, organizations should collate their research and support one another to ensure satisfactory treatment can be approved in a timely manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amer Harky
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital , Liverpool, UK.,Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Liverpool , Liverpool, UK.,Liverpool Centre for Cardiovascular Science, University of Liverpool and Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital , Liverpool, UK
| | | | | | - Naomi Melamed
- Cranmer Terrace, St George's, University of London , UK
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Allam AE, Assaf HK, Hassan HA, Shimizu K, Elshaier YAMM. Anin silicoperception for newly isolated flavonoids from peach fruit as privileged avenue for a countermeasure outbreak of COVID-19. RSC Adv 2020; 10:29983-29998. [PMID: 35518212 PMCID: PMC9056308 DOI: 10.1039/d0ra05265e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2020] [Accepted: 07/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
3′-Hydroxy-4′-methoxy-chroman-7-O-β-d-glucopyranoside 4 was first isolated from a natural source, together with three known compounds, the ferulic acid heptyl ester 1, naringenin 2, and 4,2′,4′-trihydroxy-6′-methoxychalcone-4′-O-β-d-glucopyranoside 3, which were isolated from peach [Prunus persica (L.) Batsch] fruits. These compounds were subjected to different virtual screening strategies in order to examine their activity to combat the COVID-19 outbreak. The study design composed of some major aspects: (a) docking with main protease (Mpro), (b) docking with spike protein, (c) 3D shape similarity study (Rapid Overlay Chemical Similarity-ROCS) to the clinically used drugs in COVID-19 patients, and finally, (d) the rule of five and the estimated pre-ADMT properties of the separated flavonoids. Docking study with Mpro of SARS-CoV-2 (PDB ID:6LU7, and 6Y2F) showed that compound 3, its aglycone part, and compound 4 have a strong binding mode to a protease receptor with key amino acids, especially Gln:166AA, and having a similar docking pose to co-crystalized ligands. Docking with the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 illustrated that compounds 3 and 4 have a good binding affinity to PDB ID:6VSB through the formation of HBs with Asp:467A and Asn:422A. According to ROCS analysis, compounds 1, 3, and 4 displayed high similarities to drugs that prevent SARS-Co2 entry to the lung cells or block the inflammatory storm causing lung injury. Compounds 3 and 4 are good candidates for drug development especially because they showed predicted activity against SARS-CoV-2 through different mechanisms either by preventing genome replication or by blocking inflammatory storm that trigger lung injury. These compounds were isolated from peach fruit, and the study supports data and continues with the recommendation of peach fruits in controlling and managing COVID-19 cases. 3′-Hydroxy-4′-methoxy-chroman-7-O-β-d-glucopyranoside 4, together with three known compounds, ferulic acid heptyl ester 1, naringenin 2, and 4,2′,4′-trihydroxy-6′-methoxychalcone-4′-O-β-d-glucopyranoside 3, was isolated from peach fruits.![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmed E. Allam
- Department of Pharmacognosy
- Faculty of Pharmacy
- Al-Azhar University
- Assiut
- Egypt
| | - Hamdy K. Assaf
- Department of Pharmacognosy
- Faculty of Pharmacy
- Al-Azhar University
- Assiut
- Egypt
| | - Heba Ali Hassan
- Department of Pharmacognosy
- Faculty of Pharmacy
- Deraya University
- Universities Zone
- New Minia City 61111
| | - Kuniyoshi Shimizu
- Department of Agro-Environmental Sciences
- Graduate School of Bioresource and Bioenvironmental Sciences
- Kyushu University
- Fukuoka
- Japan
| | - Yaseen A. M. M. Elshaier
- Organic & Medicinal Chemistry Department
- Faculty of Pharmacy
- University of Sadat City
- Menoufia
- Egypt
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