Analytical and machine learning approaches identify a sea star steroid with promising activity for COVID-19 therapeutic development.

ABSTRACT: The pressing demand for safe and efficient COVID-19 treatments has intensified interest in Natural products, especially those derived from marine organisms. In this study, a bioactive steroidal compound, 5α-cholesta-9(11)-en-3β,20β-diol, was successfully isolated from the starfish Acanthaster planci. Structural elucidation was achieved using HREIMS, FTIR, and advanced 1D/2D NMR spectroscopy, confirming a molecular formula of C₂₇H₄₆O₂ and characteristic functionalities including hydroxyl and double bond moieties. The compound demonstrated notable anti-SARS-CoV-2 activity, attaining 85% viral inhibition at 5 ng/µl with an IC₅₀ of 5.86 µM, as demonstrated by plaque reduction assays. Molecular docking studies demonstrated significant binding affinities toward key viral targets Mpro, NSP10, and

SUBMITTER: Abd El Hafez MSM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12504724 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature