Computer-Aided Analysis of Multiple SARS-CoV-2 Therapeutic Targets: Identification of Potent Molecules from African Medicinal Plants

The COVID-19 pandemic, which started in Wuhan, China, has spread rapidly over the world with no known antiviral therapy or vaccine. Interestingly, traditional Chinese medicine helped in flattening the pandemic curve in China. In this study, molecules from African medicinal plants were analysed as po...

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Main Authors: Franklyn Nonso Iheagwam, Solomon Oladapo Rotimi
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2020-01-01
Series:Scientifica
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2020/1878410
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author Franklyn Nonso Iheagwam
Solomon Oladapo Rotimi
author_facet Franklyn Nonso Iheagwam
Solomon Oladapo Rotimi
author_sort Franklyn Nonso Iheagwam
collection DOAJ
description The COVID-19 pandemic, which started in Wuhan, China, has spread rapidly over the world with no known antiviral therapy or vaccine. Interestingly, traditional Chinese medicine helped in flattening the pandemic curve in China. In this study, molecules from African medicinal plants were analysed as potential candidates against multiple SARS-CoV-2 therapeutic targets. Sixty-five molecules from the ZINC database subset (AfroDb Natural Products) were virtually screened with some reported repurposed therapeutics against six SARS-CoV-2 and two human targets. Molecular docking, druglikeness, absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, and toxicity (ADMET) of the best hits were further simulated. Of the 65 compounds, only three, namely, 3-galloylcatechin, proanthocyanidin B1, and luteolin 7-galactoside found in almond (Terminalia catappa), grape (Vitis vinifera), and common verbena (Verbena officinalis), were able to bind to all eight targets better than the reported repurposed drugs. The findings suggest these molecules may play a role as therapeutic leads in tackling this pandemic due to their multitarget activity.
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spelling doaj-art-d4c3e30958cd414e97d13733748dbe8a2025-02-03T01:05:05ZengWileyScientifica2090-908X2020-01-01202010.1155/2020/18784101878410Computer-Aided Analysis of Multiple SARS-CoV-2 Therapeutic Targets: Identification of Potent Molecules from African Medicinal PlantsFranklyn Nonso Iheagwam0Solomon Oladapo Rotimi1Department of Biochemistry, College of Science and Technology, Covenant University, Canaanland, P.M.B. 1023, Ota, Ogun, NigeriaDepartment of Biochemistry, College of Science and Technology, Covenant University, Canaanland, P.M.B. 1023, Ota, Ogun, NigeriaThe COVID-19 pandemic, which started in Wuhan, China, has spread rapidly over the world with no known antiviral therapy or vaccine. Interestingly, traditional Chinese medicine helped in flattening the pandemic curve in China. In this study, molecules from African medicinal plants were analysed as potential candidates against multiple SARS-CoV-2 therapeutic targets. Sixty-five molecules from the ZINC database subset (AfroDb Natural Products) were virtually screened with some reported repurposed therapeutics against six SARS-CoV-2 and two human targets. Molecular docking, druglikeness, absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, and toxicity (ADMET) of the best hits were further simulated. Of the 65 compounds, only three, namely, 3-galloylcatechin, proanthocyanidin B1, and luteolin 7-galactoside found in almond (Terminalia catappa), grape (Vitis vinifera), and common verbena (Verbena officinalis), were able to bind to all eight targets better than the reported repurposed drugs. The findings suggest these molecules may play a role as therapeutic leads in tackling this pandemic due to their multitarget activity.http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2020/1878410
spellingShingle Franklyn Nonso Iheagwam
Solomon Oladapo Rotimi
Computer-Aided Analysis of Multiple SARS-CoV-2 Therapeutic Targets: Identification of Potent Molecules from African Medicinal Plants
Scientifica
title Computer-Aided Analysis of Multiple SARS-CoV-2 Therapeutic Targets: Identification of Potent Molecules from African Medicinal Plants
title_full Computer-Aided Analysis of Multiple SARS-CoV-2 Therapeutic Targets: Identification of Potent Molecules from African Medicinal Plants
title_fullStr Computer-Aided Analysis of Multiple SARS-CoV-2 Therapeutic Targets: Identification of Potent Molecules from African Medicinal Plants
title_full_unstemmed Computer-Aided Analysis of Multiple SARS-CoV-2 Therapeutic Targets: Identification of Potent Molecules from African Medicinal Plants
title_short Computer-Aided Analysis of Multiple SARS-CoV-2 Therapeutic Targets: Identification of Potent Molecules from African Medicinal Plants
title_sort computer aided analysis of multiple sars cov 2 therapeutic targets identification of potent molecules from african medicinal plants
url http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2020/1878410
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