Abstract
The emerging SARS-CoV-2 infection is the cause of the global COVID-19 pandemic. To date, there are limited therapeutic options available to fight this disease. Here we examined the inhibitory abilities of two broad-spectrum antiviral natural products chebulagic acid (CHLA) and punicalagin (PUG) against SARS-CoV-2 viral replication. Both CHLA and PUG reduced virus-induced plaque formation in Vero-E6 monolayer at noncytotoxic concentrations, by targeting the enzymatic activity of viral 3-chymotrypsin-like cysteine protease (3CLpro) as allosteric regulators. Our study demonstrates the potential use of CHLA and PUG as novel COVID-19 therapies.
Keywords:
3CLpro; Allosteric inhibitor; Chebulagic acid; Punicalagin; SARS-CoV-2.
Copyright © 2021 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Publication types
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
MeSH terms
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Allosteric Site
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Animals
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Antiviral Agents / chemistry
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Antiviral Agents / pharmacology*
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Benzopyrans / chemistry
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Benzopyrans / pharmacology*
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COVID-19 / virology
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COVID-19 Drug Treatment
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Chlorocebus aethiops
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Coronavirus 3C Proteases / antagonists & inhibitors*
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Coronavirus 3C Proteases / chemistry
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Coronavirus 3C Proteases / metabolism
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Drug Discovery
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Glucosides / chemistry
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Glucosides / pharmacology*
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Hydrolyzable Tannins / pharmacology*
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Molecular Docking Simulation
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Protease Inhibitors / pharmacology
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SARS-CoV-2 / drug effects*
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SARS-CoV-2 / metabolism
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Vero Cells
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Virus Replication / drug effects
Substances
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Antiviral Agents
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Benzopyrans
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Glucosides
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Hydrolyzable Tannins
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Protease Inhibitors
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chebulagic acid
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punicalagin
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3C-like protease, SARS coronavirus
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Coronavirus 3C Proteases