The SARS-CoV-2 protease (3CLpro) is one of the key targets for the development of efficacious drugs for COVID-19 treatment due to its essential role in the life cycle of the virus and exhibits high conservation among coronaviruses. Recent studies have shown that flavonoids, which are small natural molecules, have antiviral activity against coronaviruses (CoVs), including SARS-CoV-2. In this study, we identified the docking sites and binding affinity of several natural compounds, similar to flavonoids, and investigated their inhibitory activity towards 3CLpro enzymatic activity. The selected compounds were then tested in vitro for their cytotoxicity, for antiviral activity against SARS-CoV-2, and the replication of other coronaviruses in different cell lines. Our results showed that Baicalein (100 mg/mL) exerted strong 3CLpro activity inhibition (>90%), whereas Hispidulin and Morin displayed partial inhibition. Moreover, Baicalein, up to 25 mg/mL, hindered >50% of SARS-CoV-2 replication in Vero E6 cultures. Lastly, Baicalein displayed antiviral activity against alphacoronavirus (Feline-CoV) and betacoronavirus (Bovine-CoV and HCoV-OC43) in the cell lines. Our study confirmed the antiviral activity of Baicalein against SARS-CoV-2 and demonstrated clear evidence of its pan-coronaviral activity.

Natural Flavonoid Derivatives Have Pan-Coronavirus Antiviral Activity / Mori, Mattia; Quaglio, Deborah; Calcaterra, Andrea; Ghirga, Francesca; Sorrentino, Leonardo; Cammarone, Silvia; Fracella, Matteo; D'Auria, Alessandra; Frasca, Federica; Criscuolo, Elena; Clementi, Nicola; Mancini, Nicasio; Botta, Bruno; Antonelli, Guido; Pierangeli, Alessandra; Scagnolari, Carolina. - In: MICROORGANISMS. - ISSN 2076-2607. - 11:2(2023), pp. 1-18. [10.3390/microorganisms11020314]

Natural Flavonoid Derivatives Have Pan-Coronavirus Antiviral Activity

Mori, Mattia;Quaglio, Deborah;Calcaterra, Andrea;Sorrentino, Leonardo;Cammarone, Silvia;Fracella, Matteo;D'Auria, Alessandra;Frasca, Federica;Botta, Bruno;Antonelli, Guido;Pierangeli, Alessandra
Ultimo
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Scagnolari, Carolina
2023

Abstract

The SARS-CoV-2 protease (3CLpro) is one of the key targets for the development of efficacious drugs for COVID-19 treatment due to its essential role in the life cycle of the virus and exhibits high conservation among coronaviruses. Recent studies have shown that flavonoids, which are small natural molecules, have antiviral activity against coronaviruses (CoVs), including SARS-CoV-2. In this study, we identified the docking sites and binding affinity of several natural compounds, similar to flavonoids, and investigated their inhibitory activity towards 3CLpro enzymatic activity. The selected compounds were then tested in vitro for their cytotoxicity, for antiviral activity against SARS-CoV-2, and the replication of other coronaviruses in different cell lines. Our results showed that Baicalein (100 mg/mL) exerted strong 3CLpro activity inhibition (>90%), whereas Hispidulin and Morin displayed partial inhibition. Moreover, Baicalein, up to 25 mg/mL, hindered >50% of SARS-CoV-2 replication in Vero E6 cultures. Lastly, Baicalein displayed antiviral activity against alphacoronavirus (Feline-CoV) and betacoronavirus (Bovine-CoV and HCoV-OC43) in the cell lines. Our study confirmed the antiviral activity of Baicalein against SARS-CoV-2 and demonstrated clear evidence of its pan-coronaviral activity.
2023
baicalein; covid-19; coronavirus
01 Pubblicazione su rivista::01a Articolo in rivista
Natural Flavonoid Derivatives Have Pan-Coronavirus Antiviral Activity / Mori, Mattia; Quaglio, Deborah; Calcaterra, Andrea; Ghirga, Francesca; Sorrentino, Leonardo; Cammarone, Silvia; Fracella, Matteo; D'Auria, Alessandra; Frasca, Federica; Criscuolo, Elena; Clementi, Nicola; Mancini, Nicasio; Botta, Bruno; Antonelli, Guido; Pierangeli, Alessandra; Scagnolari, Carolina. - In: MICROORGANISMS. - ISSN 2076-2607. - 11:2(2023), pp. 1-18. [10.3390/microorganisms11020314]
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11573/1666701
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