DFT investigation of atazanavir as potential inhibitor for 2019-nCoV coronavirus M protease

Microparticles of Sericin-Dextran Conjugate for Improving the Solubility of Antiviral Drug

A novel sericin-dextran conjugate (SDC) and self-assembled microparticles has been prepared for improving solubility of atazanavir. Microparticles of SDC were assembled by the reprecipitation method. The size and morphology of SDC microparticles could be adjusted by the concentration and solvents. Low concentration was conducive to the preparation of microspheres. Heterogeneous microspheres could be prepared in ethanol with the range of 85-390 nm, and hollow mesoporous microspheres in propanol with an average particle size of 2.5-22 µm. The aqueous solubility of atazanavir was improved to 2.22 mg/mL in buffer solutions at pH 2.0 and 1.65 mg/mL at pH 7.4 by SDC microspheres. In vitro release of atazanavir from hollow microspheres of SDC exhibited a slower release, had the lowest linear cumulative release in basic buffer (pH 8.0), and the most rapid double exponential diphase kinetic cumulative release in acid buffer (pH 2.0).

Applications of density functional theory in COVID-19 drug modeling

The rapidly evolving Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has led to millions of deaths around the world, highlighting the pressing need to develop effective antiviral pharmaceuticals. Recent efforts with computer-aided rational drug discovery have allowed detailed examination of drug–macromolecule interactions primarily by molecular mechanics (MM) techniques. Less widely applied in COVID-19 drug modeling is density functional theory (DFT), a quantum mechanics (QM) method that enables electronic structure calculations and elucidations of reaction mechanisms. Here, we review recent advances in applying DFT in molecular modeling studies of COVID-19 pharmaceuticals. We start by providing an overview of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) drugs and targets, followed by a brief introduction to DFT. We then provide a discussion of different approaches by which DFT has been applied. Finally, we discuss essential factors to consider when incorporating DFT in future drug modeling research.

In Silico Investigation of Phytoconstituents of Medicinal Herb 'Piper Longum' Against SARS-CoV-2 by Molecular Docking and Molecular Dynamics Analysis

Unavailability of treatment for the SARS-CoV-2 virus has raised concern among the population worldwide. This has led to many attempts to find alternative options to prevent the infection of the disease, including focusing on vaccines and drugs. The use of natural products and herbal extracts can be a better option in beating the virus and boosting up immunity. In the present paper, we have done a systematic in silico study of papain-like protease of COVID-19 virus with the chemical constituents of herbal plant Piper Longum. Screening of the pharmacokinetic properties is done with thirty-two phytoconstituents of Piper Longum which help us in selecting the most active components of the plant. After selection molecular docking is performed with Aristololactam (C17H11NO4), Fargesin (C21H22O6), l-asarinin (C20H18O6), Lignans Machilin F (C20H22O5), Piperundecalidine (C23H29NO3), and Pluviatilol (C20H20O6). Molecular dynamic (MD) is also performed with the inhibitor-receptor complex which suggest significant inhibition and a stable complex of I-Asarinin with PLpro. Docking scores and simulation results suggest that I-Asarinin can act as a potential drug like candidate against COVID-19.

Current Treatments and Therapeutic Options for COVID-19 Patients: A Systematic Review

INTRODUCTION

COVID-19 is the third rising epidemic in the 21st century that quickly turned into a worldwide pandemic. Many clinical studies have been achieved to investigate treatments to confrontation of COVID-19. Therefore, we conducted a systematic reviewto describe the recent treatment strategies to treat COVID-19 patients.

METHODS

A systematic search was performed in the databases of PubMed, Scopus, Embase, Science direct, Up to date, and Web of Science using the keywords of Coronavirus, COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2, Novel Coronavirus, 2019-nCoV, Treatment, Medicine, Therapy, Intervention, Drug, Medications, and Cure.

RESULTS

We included 58 studies including 38 articles (eleven reviews, ten editorial documents, three case reports, one mix method, one cohort study,) and 19 published clinical trials. Review of studies showed that Lopinavir/Ritonavir (n=16), Remdesivir (n=13), Convalescent plasma (n=11), Chloroquine (n=11), Ribavirin (n=9), Hydroxychloroquine sulfate (n=8), Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) (n=8), and Arbidol (n=7), were the most frequently used therapies used to treat COVID-19 patients.

CONCLUSION

In the absence of definitive treatment protocols, recently proposed approaches appear to be an effective therapy for accelerating the recovery of COVID-19 patients. Some of these treatments may have been in the early stages of testing. However, future preclinical and clinical trials are warranted to validate findings.

Comparison of the Efficacy and Safety of Atazanavir/Ritonavir Plus Hydroxychloroquine with Lopinavir/Ritonavir Plus Hydroxychloroquine in Patients with Moderate COVID-19, A Randomized, Double-blind Clinical Trial

This was a randomized, double-blind clinical trial to compare the efficacy and safety of Atazanavir/Ritonavir (ATZ/RTV) with Lopinavir/Ritonavir (LPV/RTV) in moderate Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Participants were randomly assigned to receive a single dose of hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) plus ATZ/RTV or LPV/RTV for a minimum of 5 to a maximum of 10 days. The primary outcomes were the reduced length of hospital stay and clinical recovery within 10 days from starting the intervention. The rate of intensive care unit (ICU) admission, intubation, and mortality, the lengths of ICU stay and being intubated, recovery within 14 days, and the frequency of adverse reactions were considered as secondary outcomes. Among 132 enrolled patients, 62 cases in each arm were analyzed at the end of the intervention. Fifty-one (82.3%) cases in the ATZ/RTV arm versus 41 (66.1%) in the LPV/RTV arm were discharged within 10 days (P = 0.06). The median number of the intervention days was 6 (IQR: 5-8) in ATZ/RTV arm versus 7 (IQR: 6-9) in LPV/RTV arm (P = 0.01). The rate and length of ICU admission and intubation (P ≥ 0.99), rate of mortality (P = 0.49), and recovery within 14 days (P = 0.09) were not statistically different between groups. The most reported adverse reactions were nausea and vomiting that all cases were in the LPV/RTV arm (P = 0.006). ATZ/RTV is better tolerated in comparison with LPV/RTV; however, it did not show more efficacy than LPV/RTV in clinical outcomes of COVID-19 in this study.