SARS-CoV-2, the coronavirus strain that initiated the COVID-19 pandemic, and its subsequent variants present challenges to vaccine development and treatment. As the coronavirus evades the host innate immune response at the initial stage of infection, the disease can have a long nonsymptomatic period. The uridylate-specific endoribonuclease Nsp15 processes the viral genome for replication and cleaves the polyU sequence in the viral RNA to interfere with the host immune system. This study screened natural compounds in vitro to identify inhibitors against Nsp15 from SARS-CoV-2. Three natural compounds, epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), baicalin, and quercetin, were identified as potential inhibitors. Potent antiviral activity of EGCG was confirmed in plaque reduction neutralization tests with a SARS-CoV-2 strain (PRNT50 = 0.20 μM). Because the compound has been used as a functional food ingredient due to its beneficial health effects, we theorize that this natural compound may help inhibit viral replication while minimizing safety issues.
Keywords: COVID-19; EGCG; Nsp15; SARS-CoV-2; coronavirus; endoribonuclease; green tea extract.