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Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) Apr 2021The recently emerged COVID-19 disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has adversely affected the whole world. As a significant... (Review)
Review
The recently emerged COVID-19 disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has adversely affected the whole world. As a significant public health threat, it has spread worldwide. Scientists and global health experts are collaborating to find and execute speedy diagnostics, robust and highly effective vaccines, and therapeutic techniques to tackle COVID-19. The ocean is an immense source of biologically active molecules and/or compounds with antiviral-associated biopharmaceutical and immunostimulatory attributes. Some specific algae-derived molecules can be used to produce antibodies and vaccines to treat the COVID-19 disease. Algae have successfully synthesized several metabolites as natural defense compounds that enable them to survive under extreme environments. Several algae-derived bioactive molecules and/or compounds can be used against many diseases, including microbial and viral infections. Moreover, some algae species can also improve immunity and suppress human viral activity. Therefore, they may be recommended for use as a preventive remedy against COVID-19. Considering the above critiques and unique attributes, herein, we aimed to systematically assess algae-derived, biologically active molecules that could be used against this disease by looking at their natural sources, mechanisms of action, and prior pharmacological uses. This review also serves as a starting point for this research area to accelerate the establishment of anti-SARS-CoV-2 bioproducts.
Topics: Antiviral Agents; COVID-19; Carrageenan; Chlorophyta; Humans; Lectins; Phaeophyceae; Polysaccharides; Rhodophyta; SARS-CoV-2; COVID-19 Drug Treatment
PubMed: 33917694
DOI: 10.3390/molecules26082134 -
Scientific Reports Mar 2022To halt the pandemic of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), governments around the world have imposed policies, such as lockdowns, mandatory...
To halt the pandemic of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), governments around the world have imposed policies, such as lockdowns, mandatory mask wearing, and social distancing. The application of disinfecting materials in shared public facilities can be an additional measure to control the spread of the virus. Copper is a prominent material with antibacterial and antiviral effects. In this study, we synthesized copper nanoparticles (CuNPs) as a surface coating agent and assessed their antiviral activity against SARS-CoV-2. CuNPs with a mean size of 254 nm in diameter were synthesized from copper sulfate as a source and were predominantly composed of copper oxide. The synthesized CuNPs were mixed with resin-based paint (CuNP/paint) and sprayed on the surface of stainless steel remnants. SARS-CoV-2 lost 97.8% infectivity on the CuNP/paint-coated surface after 30 min of exposure and more than 99.995% infectivity after 1 h of exposure. The inactivation rate was approximately 36-fold faster than that on the paint alone-coated and uncoated surfaces. The CuNP/paint-coated surface showed powerful inactivation of SARS-CoV-2 infectivity, although further study is needed to elucidate the inactivation mechanisms. Applications of CuNP/paint coatings to public or hospital facilities and other commonly touched areas are expected to be beneficial.
Topics: Antiviral Agents; COVID-19; Communicable Disease Control; Copper; Humans; Nanoparticles; SARS-CoV-2
PubMed: 35318357
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-08766-0 -
Journal of Periodontology Jul 2022It is well recognized that dental procedures represent a potential way of infection transmission. With the COVID-19 pandemic, the focus of dental procedure associated...
BACKGROUND
It is well recognized that dental procedures represent a potential way of infection transmission. With the COVID-19 pandemic, the focus of dental procedure associated transmission has rapidly changed from bacteria to viruses. The aim was to develop an experimental setup for testing the spread of viruses by ultrasonic scaler (USS) generated dental spray and evaluate its mitigation by antiviral coolants.
METHODS
In a virus transmission tunnel, the dental spray was generated by USS with saline coolant and suspension of Equine Arteritis Virus (EAV) delivered to the USS tip. Virus transmission by settled droplets was evaluated with adherent RK13 cell lines culture monolayer. The suspended droplets were collected by a cyclone aero-sampler. Antiviral activity of 0.25% NaOCl and electrolyzed oxidizing water (EOW) was tested using a suspension test. Antiviral agents' transmission prevention ability was evaluated by using them as a coolant.
RESULTS
In the suspension test with 0.25% NaOCl or EOW, the TCID50/mL was below the detection limit after 5 seconds. With saline coolant, the EAV-induced cytopathic effect on RK13 cells was found up to the distance of 45 cm, with the number of infected cells decreasing with distance. By aero-sampler, viral particles were detected in concentration ≤4.2 TCID50/mL. With both antiviral agents used as coolants, no EAV-associated RK-13 cell infection was found.
CONCLUSION
We managed to predictably demonstrate EAV spread by droplets because of USS action. More importantly, we managed to mitigate the spread by a simple substitution of the USS coolant with NaOCl or EOW.
Topics: Animals; Antiviral Agents; COVID-19; Equartevirus; Horses; Humans; Pandemics; Ultrasonics
PubMed: 34730843
DOI: 10.1002/JPER.21-0335 -
Cell Cycle (Georgetown, Tex.) Jan 2021To date, proposed therapies and antiviral drugs have been failed to cure coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients. However, at least two drug companies have applied... (Review)
Review
To date, proposed therapies and antiviral drugs have been failed to cure coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients. However, at least two drug companies have applied for emergency use authorization with the United States Food and Drug Administration for their coronavirus vaccine candidates and several other vaccines are in various stages of development to determine safety and efficacy. Recently, some studies have shown the role of different human and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) microRNAs (miRNAs) in the pathophysiology of COVID-19. miRNAs are non-coding single-stranded RNAs, which are involved in several physiological and pathological conditions, such as cell proliferation, differentiation, and metabolism. They act as negative regulators of protein synthesis through binding to the 3' untranslated region (3' UTR) of the complementary target mRNA, leading to mRNA degradation or inhibition. The databases of Google Scholar, Scopus, PubMed, and Web of Science were searched for literature regarding the importance of miRNAs in the SARS-CoV-2 life cycle, pathogenesis, and genomic mutations. Furthermore, promising miRNAs as a biomarker or antiviral agent in COVID-19 therapy are reviewed.
Topics: Animals; Antiviral Agents; Biomarkers; COVID-19; COVID-19 Vaccines; Cell Cycle; Humans; MicroRNAs; Mutation; SARS-CoV-2; COVID-19 Drug Treatment
PubMed: 33382348
DOI: 10.1080/15384101.2020.1867792 -
Cepharanthine: a review of the antiviral potential of a Japanese-approved alopecia drug in COVID-19.Pharmacological Reports : PR Dec 2020Cepharanthine (CEP) is a naturally occurring alkaloid derived from Stephania cepharantha Hayata and demonstrated to have unique anti-inflammatory, antioxidative,... (Review)
Review
Cepharanthine (CEP) is a naturally occurring alkaloid derived from Stephania cepharantha Hayata and demonstrated to have unique anti-inflammatory, antioxidative, immunomodulating, antiparasitic, and antiviral properties. Its therapeutic potential as an antiviral agent has never been more important than in combating COVID-19 caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus type 2 (SARS-CoV-2) virus. Cepharanthine suppresses nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) activation, lipid peroxidation, nitric oxide (NO) production, cytokine production, and expression of cyclooxygenase; all of which are crucial to viral replication and inflammatory response. Against SARS-CoV-2 and homologous viruses, CEP predominantly inhibits viral entry and replication at low doses; and was recently identified as the most potent coronavirus inhibitor among 2406 clinically approved drug repurposing candidates in a preclinical model. This review critically analyzes and consolidates available evidence establishing CEP's potential therapeutic importance as a drug of choice in managing COVID-19 cases.
Topics: Animals; Anti-Inflammatory Agents; Antiviral Agents; Benzylisoquinolines; COVID-19; Drug Repositioning; Humans; Inflammation; Japan; SARS-CoV-2; Virus Replication; COVID-19 Drug Treatment
PubMed: 32700247
DOI: 10.1007/s43440-020-00132-z -
The Journal of Antimicrobial... Oct 2022Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the aetiological agent of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and a devastating worldwide health concern....
OBJECTIVES
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the aetiological agent of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and a devastating worldwide health concern. Development of safe and effective treatments is not only important for interventions during the current pandemic, but also for providing general treatment options moving forward. We have developed ensitrelvir, an antiviral compound that targets the 3C-like protease of SARS-CoV-2. In this study, a delayed-treatment mouse model was used to clarify the potential in vivo efficacy of ensitrelvir.
METHODS
Female BALB/cAJcl mice of different ages were infected with the SARS-CoV-2 gamma strain (hCoV-19/Japan/TY7-501/2021) or mouse-adapted SARS-CoV-2 MA-P10 and then 24 h post-infection orally administered various doses of ensitrelvir or vehicle. Viral titres and RNA levels in the lungs were quantified using VeroE6/TMPRSS2 cells and RT-qPCR, respectively. Body weight loss, survival, lung weight, cytokine/chemokine production, nucleocapsid protein expression and lung pathology were evaluated to investigate the in vivo efficacy of ensitrelvir.
RESULTS
Based on infectious viral titres and viral RNA levels in the lungs of infected mice, ensitrelvir reduced viral loads in a dose-dependent manner. The antiviral efficacy correlated with increased survival, reduced body weight loss, reduced pulmonary lesions and suppression of inflammatory cytokine/chemokine levels.
CONCLUSIONS
This was the first evaluation of the in vivo anti-SARS-CoV-2 efficacy of ensitrelvir in a delayed-treatment mouse model. In this model, ensitrelvir demonstrated high antiviral potential and suppressed lung inflammation and lethality caused by SARS-CoV-2 infection. The findings support the continued clinical development of ensitrelvir as an antiviral agent to treat patients with COVID-19.
Topics: Animals; Female; Mice; Antiviral Agents; Chemokines; Cytokines; Disease Models, Animal; Lung; SARS-CoV-2; Weight Loss; COVID-19 Drug Treatment
PubMed: 35914182
DOI: 10.1093/jac/dkac257 -
Viruses Aug 2018There are dozens of approved, investigational and experimental antiviral agents. Many of these agents cause serious side effects, which can only be revealed after drug... (Review)
Review
There are dozens of approved, investigational and experimental antiviral agents. Many of these agents cause serious side effects, which can only be revealed after drug administration. Identification of the side effects prior to drug administration is challenging. Here we describe an ex vivo approach for studying immuno- and neuro-modulatory properties of antiviral agents, which may be associated with potential side effects of these therapeutics. The current approach combines drug toxicity/efficacy tests and transcriptomics, which is followed by mRNA, cytokine and metabolite profiling. We demonstrated the utility of this approach with several examples of antiviral agents. We also showed that the approach can utilize different immune stimuli and cell types. It can also include other omics techniques, such as genomics and epigenomics, to allow identification of individual markers associated with adverse reactions to antivirals with immuno- and neuro-modulatory properties.
Topics: Antiviral Agents; Cytokines; Epigenomics; Gene Expression Profiling; Genomics; Humans; Immune System; Metabolomics; Nervous System; Precision Medicine; Systems Biology
PubMed: 30103549
DOI: 10.3390/v10080423 -
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) Oct 2020The new coronavirus disease (COVID-19), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), has recently put the world under stress, resulting in a... (Review)
Review
The new coronavirus disease (COVID-19), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), has recently put the world under stress, resulting in a global pandemic. Currently, there are no approved treatments or vaccines, and this severe respiratory illness has cost many lives. Despite the established antimicrobial and immune-boosting potency described for honey, to date there is still a lack of evidence about its potential role amid COVID-19 outbreak. Based on the previously explored antiviral effects and phytochemical components of honey, we review here evidence for its role as a potentially effective natural product against COVID-19. Although some bioactive compounds in honey have shown potential antiviral effects (i.e., methylglyoxal, chrysin, caffeic acid, galangin and hesperidinin) or enhancing antiviral immune responses (i.e., levan and ascorbic acid), the mechanisms of action for these compounds are still ambiguous. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first work exclusively summarizing all these bioactive compounds with their probable mechanisms of action as antiviral agents, specifically against SARS-CoV-2.
Topics: Animals; Antiviral Agents; Betacoronavirus; COVID-19; Coronavirus Infections; Forecasting; Honey; Humans; Immunologic Factors; Pandemics; Phytochemicals; Pneumonia, Viral; SARS-CoV-2; COVID-19 Drug Treatment
PubMed: 33138197
DOI: 10.3390/molecules25215017 -
Basic & Clinical Pharmacology &... Feb 2021The coronavirus responsible for COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2, utilizes a viral membrane spike protein for host cell entry. For the virus to engage in host membrane fusion,... (Review)
Review
The coronavirus responsible for COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2, utilizes a viral membrane spike protein for host cell entry. For the virus to engage in host membrane fusion, SARS-CoV-2 utilizes the human transmembrane surface protease, TMPRSS2, to cleave and activate the spike protein. Camostat mesylate, an orally available well-known serine protease inhibitor, is a potent inhibitor of TMPRSS2 and has been hypothesized as a potential antiviral drug against COVID-19. In vitro human cell and animal studies have shown that camostat mesylate inhibits virus-cell membrane fusion and hence viral replication. In mice, camostat mesylate treatment during acute infection with influenza, also dependent on TMPRSS2, leads to a reduced viral load. The decreased viral load may be associated with an improved patient outcome. Because camostat mesylate is administered as an oral drug, it may be used in outpatients as well as inpatients at all disease stages of SARS-CoV-2 infection if it is shown to be an effective antiviral agent. Clinical trials are currently ongoing to test whether this well-known drug could be repurposed and utilized to combat the current pandemic. In the following, we will review current knowledge on camostat mesylate mode of action, potential benefits as an antiviral agent and ongoing clinical trials.
Topics: Animals; Antiviral Agents; Drug Repositioning; Esters; Guanidines; Humans; Mice; Patient Safety; Serine Endopeptidases; Serine Proteinase Inhibitors; COVID-19 Drug Treatment
PubMed: 33176395
DOI: 10.1111/bcpt.13533 -
Archives of Microbiology Jul 2022Viral infections are linked to a variety of human diseases. Despite the achievements made in drug and vaccine development, several viruses still lack preventive vaccines...
Viral infections are linked to a variety of human diseases. Despite the achievements made in drug and vaccine development, several viruses still lack preventive vaccines and efficient antiviral compounds. Thus, developing novel antiviral agents is of great concern, particularly the natural products that are promising candidates for such discoveries. In this study, we have purified an approximately 15 kDa basic phospholipase A2 (PLA2) enzyme from the Egyptian cobra Naja haje haje venom. The purified N. haje PLA2 showed a specific activity of 22 units/mg protein against 6 units/mg protein for the whole crude venom with 3.67-fold purification. The antiviral activity of purified N. haje PLA2 has been investigated in vitro against bovine coronavirus (BCoV) and simian rotavirus (RV SA-11). Our results showed that the CC of PLA2 were 33.6 and 29 µg/ml against MDBK and MA104 cell lines, respectively. Antiviral analysis of N. haje PLA2 showed an inhibition of BCoV and RV SA-11 infections with a therapeutic index equal to 33.6 and 16, respectively. Moreover, N. haje PLA2 decreased the BCoV and RV SA-11 titers by 4.25 log TCID and 2.5 log TCID, respectively. Thus, this research suggests the potential antiviral activity of purified N. haje PLA2 against BCoV and RV SA-11 infections in vitro.
Topics: Animals; Antiviral Agents; Coronavirus, Bovine; Elapid Venoms; Naja haje; Phospholipases A2; Rotavirus
PubMed: 35895237
DOI: 10.1007/s00203-022-03139-7