Bromhexine inhibits SARS-CoV-2 Omicron and variant pseudovirus infection via ACE2-targeted mechanisms.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) causes a highly infectious disease characterized by fever, acute respiratory illness, and pneumonia, known as coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). SARS-CoV-2 infects host cells through the interaction of its spike glycoprotein (S protein) with human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (hACE2). Structural studies have shown that hACE2 interacts exclusively with the receptor-binding domain (RBD) of the spike. A high binding affinity between spike and hACE2 has been linked to increased viral infection. Disrupting this interaction can reduce viral infectivity.

Methods

This study aimed to assess infection using Omicron variant pseudovirus in a stable HEK-293 cell line expressing hACE2 (HEK-293/ACE2), treated with

SUBMITTER: Zuniga R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12832721 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature