Natural triterpenoids from licorice potently inhibit SARS-CoV-2 infection.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

The COVID-19 global epidemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) is a great public health emergency. Discovering antiviral drug candidates is urgent for the prevention and treatment of COVID-19.

Objectives

This work aims to discover natural SARS-CoV-2 inhibitors from the traditional Chinese herbal medicine licorice.

Methods

We screened 125 small molecules from Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch. (licorice, Gan-Cao) by virtual ligand screening targeting the receptor-binding domain (RBD) of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein. Potential hit compounds were further evaluated by ELISA, SPR, luciferase assay, antiviral assay and pharmacokinetic study.

Results

The triterpenoids licorice-saponin A3 (A3) and glycyrrhetinic acid (GA) co

SUBMITTER: Yi Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8620242 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature