Are clarithromycin, azithromycin and their analogues effective in the treatment of COVID19?

Bratisl Lek Listy. 2021;122(2):101-110. doi: 10.4149/BLL_2021_015.

Abstract

Background: SARS-CoV-2, which started in Wuhan and later affected the whole world, is the most important disease of the world today. Many ways to inhibit SARS-CoV-2 virus are sought to prevent the spread of this virus. Azithromycin and clarithromycin are considered for the treatment of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which has a high similarity to previous colonic diseases.

Aim: We aimed to determine whether azithromycin and clarithromycin, the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase protein inhibitor used in the treatment of COVID-19, is effective against SARS Cov-2 in silico.

Results and conclusion: The 503 analogues of azithromycin and clarithromycin were studied to target SARS-CoV-2 the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase protein inhibition. Maestro program was used to compare the inhibition activities of these analogues. A detailed comparison was made using the numerical value of many parameters obtained. ADME / T properties were then examined to determine the effects and reactions of analogues on human metabolism. In this study, the SARS-CoV2 virus is 6NUR and 6NUS, which is the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase protein. Among these proteins, the best inhibitor among the 503 analogues according to the docking score parameter was 9851445 with a great difference. This analogue was an analogue of azithromycin (Tab. 3, Fig. 6, Ref. 58).

Keywords: Azithromycin; Clarithromycin COVID19.; RNA-dependent RNA polymerase; SARS-CoV-2.

MeSH terms

  • Antiviral Agents / pharmacology
  • Azithromycin / pharmacology
  • Azithromycin / therapeutic use*
  • COVID-19 Drug Treatment*
  • Clarithromycin / pharmacology
  • Clarithromycin / therapeutic use*
  • Humans
  • RNA, Viral
  • SARS-CoV-2

Substances

  • Antiviral Agents
  • RNA, Viral
  • Azithromycin
  • Clarithromycin