Potent antiviral activity of Agrimonia pilosa, Galla rhois, and their components against SARS-CoV-2

Bioorg Med Chem. 2021 Sep 1:45:116329. doi: 10.1016/j.bmc.2021.116329. Epub 2021 Jul 23.

Abstract

Agrimonia pilosa (AP), Galla rhois (RG), and their mixture (APRG64) strongly inhibited SARS-CoV-2 by interfering with multiple steps of the viral life cycle including viral entry and replication. Furthermore, among 12 components identified in APRG64, three displayed strong antiviral activity, ursolic acid (1), quercetin (7), and 1,2,3,4,6-penta-O-galloyl-β-d-glucose (12). Molecular docking analysis showed these components to bind potently to the spike receptor-binding-domain (RBD) of the SARS-CoV-2 and its variant B.1.1.7. Taken together, these findings indicate APRG64 as a potent drug candidate to treat SARS-CoV-2 and its variants.

Keywords: APRG64; Agrimonia pilosa; Antiviral agents; COVID-19; Galla rhois; SARS-CoV-2.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Agrimonia / chemistry*
  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Antiviral Agents / chemistry*
  • Antiviral Agents / pharmacology
  • Biological Products / chemistry*
  • Biological Products / pharmacology
  • COVID-19 Drug Treatment*
  • Drug Discovery
  • Humans
  • Hydrolyzable Tannins / chemistry
  • Molecular Docking Simulation
  • Plant Extracts / chemistry*
  • Plant Extracts / pharmacology
  • Protein Binding
  • Quercetin / chemistry
  • SARS-CoV-2 / drug effects*
  • Spike Glycoprotein, Coronavirus / chemistry
  • Triterpenes / chemistry
  • Ursolic Acid
  • Virus Internalization / drug effects

Substances

  • Antiviral Agents
  • Biological Products
  • Galla Rhois
  • Hydrolyzable Tannins
  • Plant Extracts
  • Spike Glycoprotein, Coronavirus
  • Triterpenes
  • spike protein, SARS-CoV-2
  • pentagalloylglucose
  • Quercetin