Potential inhibitors of SARS-CoV-2: recent advances

Abstract

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) appeared in 2019 and is the causative agent of the new pandemic viral disease COVID-19. The outbreak of COVID-19 infection is affecting the entire world, thus many researchers and scientists are desperately looking for suitable vaccines and treatment options. Indeed, researches to find potential inhibitors of SARS-CoV-2 are mainly focussed on targeting virus-host interactions or inhibiting viral assembly. Additionally, drugs and other therapeutic agents that modulate broad-spectrum host innate immune responses or interfere with signalling pathways involved in viral replication are important. These drugs may be capable of engaging host receptors or proteases utilised for viral entry or may impact the endocytosis pathway. 3CL pro (3-chymotrypsin-like protease), PL pro (papain-like protease), RdRp (RNA-dependent RNA polymerase), S protein (viral spike glycoprotein), TMPRSS2 (transmembrane protease serine 2), ACE2 (angiotensin-converting enzyme 2), and AT2 (angiotensin AT2 receptor) are important targets. With no approved therapies, this pandemic illustrates the urgent need for safe and broad-spectrum antiviral agents and strategies against SARS-CoV-2 and future pathogenic viruses. In this review, we discussed about the recent trends and important challenges regarding the potential inhibitors, antiviral drugs and nanomaterials screened against SARS-CoV-2.

Oridonin Inhibits SARS‐CoV‐2 by Targeting Its 3C‐Like Protease

“…[ 7 , 8 ] Indeed, a series of SARS‐CoV‐2 3CLpro inhibitors have been reported, but most of them are substrate‐like peptidomimetic inhibitors with similar binding mode in the catalytic pocket, none of which are suitable for clinical application yet. [ 9 , 10 ]…”

“…[7,8] Indeed, a series of SARS-CoV-2 3CLpro inhibitors have been reported, but most of them are substratelike peptidomimetic inhibitors with similar binding mode in the catalytic pocket, none of which are suitable for clinical application yet. [9,10] Plant-based small molecules have been developed for thousands of years and display efficacy against different diseases and ailments, including infectious disease. [11] In current investigations to identify safe and efficacious drugs for COVID-19, natural products with a range of valuable bioactivities have attracted widespread attention in terms of evaluating and validating their therapeutic effects, especially as starting points in the development of therapeutic strategies.…”

Repositioning Ivermectin for Covid-19 treatment: Molecular mechanisms of action against SARS-CoV-2 replication

“…The stable hydrogen bond interactions were also illustrated by the docking simulation, in which IVM complexes with the subunit 2 of 3CLpro at Thr304, and glu166 residues, forming the greatest binding energy (T). Lastly, the inhibition of the 3CLpro complex has been proven a success in HIV-1 and SARS-CoV previously, making 3CLpro a viable target for IVM [89] .…”

Quantum dots against SARS‐CoV‐2: diagnostic and therapeutic potentials

“… 7 , 8 , 9 On the other hand, smart antivirals delivery systems using various nanomaterials can assist in reducing the side effects and improve targeting/selectivity features. 10 , 11 Nanotechnology‐centered assays have been evaluated in clinical studies to battle various viral infections, including respiratory viruses, herpes simplex, Ebola virus disease, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and others. 12 , 13 , 14 Several antiviral drugs have been explored against SARS‐CoV‐2, but with low solubility in water and some severe side effects comprising low selectivity and targeting properties, restrict their clinical applications.…”