The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus type 2 (SARS-CoV-2), which causes the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), is spreading worldwide. Although the COVID-19 epidemic has passed its peak of transmission, the harm it has caused deserves our attention. Scientists are striving to develop medications that can effectively treat COVID-19 symptoms without causing any adverse reactions. SARS-CoV-2 inhibitory peptides derived from animal proteins have a wide range of functional activities in addition to safety. Identifying animal protein sources is crucial to obtaining SARS-CoV-2 inhibitory peptides from animal sources. This review aims to reveal the mechanisms of action of these peptides on SARS-CoV-2 and the possibility of animal proteins as a material source of SARS-CoV-2 inhibitory peptides. Also, it introduces the utilization of computer-aided design methods, phage display, and drug delivery strategies in the research on SARS-CoV-2 inhibitor peptides from animal proteins. In order to identify new antiviral peptides and boost their efficiency, we recommend investigating the interaction between SARS-CoV-2 inhibitory peptides from animal protein sources and non-structural proteins (Nsps) using a variety of technologies, including computer-aided drug approaches, phage display techniques, and drug delivery techniques. This article provides useful information for the development of novel anti-COVID-19 drugs.
Keywords: SARS-CoV-2; computer-aided design methods; drug delivery strategies; efficacy; mechanisms; peptides derived from animal proteins.
Copyright © 2024 Kong, Wang, Zhong, Wang, Bai, Wu, Qi, Zhang, Liu and Xie.