Anti-COVID drugs: repurposing existing drugs or search for new complex entities, strategies and perspectives

Future Med Chem. 2020 Oct;12(19):1743-1757. doi: 10.4155/fmc-2020-0204. Epub 2020 Jul 23.

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.

Keywords: COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2; antiviral drugs; double hit effect; hybrid drugs; oleanolic acid; repurposing.

MeSH terms

  • Antiviral Agents / chemistry
  • Antiviral Agents / pharmacology*
  • Betacoronavirus / drug effects*
  • COVID-19
  • Cardiovascular Agents / chemistry
  • Cardiovascular Agents / pharmacology
  • Coronavirus Infections / drug therapy*
  • Drug Repositioning*
  • Drugs, Chinese Herbal / chemistry
  • Drugs, Chinese Herbal / pharmacology
  • Humans
  • Oleanolic Acid / chemistry
  • Oleanolic Acid / pharmacology
  • Pandemics
  • Pneumonia, Viral / drug therapy*
  • SARS-CoV-2

Substances

  • Antiviral Agents
  • Cardiovascular Agents
  • Drugs, Chinese Herbal
  • Oleanolic Acid