Inhibition by components of Glycyrrhiza uralensis of 3CLpro and HCoV-OC43 proliferation

Abstract

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2). 3CLpro is a key enzyme in coronavirus proliferation and a treatment target for COVID-19. In vitro and in silico, compounds 1–3 from Glycyrrhiza uralensis had inhibitory activity and binding affinity for 3CLpro. These compounds decreased HCoV-OC43 cytotoxicity in RD cells. Moreover, they inhibited viral growth by reducing the amounts of the necessary proteins (M, N, and RDRP). Therefore, compounds 1–3 are inhibitors of 3CLpro and HCoV-OC43 proliferation.

Keywords

• SARS-CoV-2
• 3CLpro
• molecular simulation
• HCoV-OC43