Anti-viral effect of usenamine a using SARS-CoV-2 pseudo-typed viruses
Zijun Li,
Joo-Eun Lee,
Namki Cho,
Hee Min Yoo
Affiliations
Zijun Li
Biometrology Group, Korea Research Institute of Standards and Science (KRISS), Daejeon 34113, South Korea; Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Chonnam National University, Gwangju 61186, South Korea
Joo-Eun Lee
Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Chonnam National University, Gwangju 61186, South Korea
Namki Cho
Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Chonnam National University, Gwangju 61186, South Korea; Corresponding author.
Hee Min Yoo
Biometrology Group, Korea Research Institute of Standards and Science (KRISS), Daejeon 34113, South Korea; Department of Precision Measurement, University of Science and Technology (UST), Daejeon 34113, South Korea; Corresponding author. Biometrology Group, Korea Research Institute of Standards and Science (KRISS), Daejeon 34113, South Korea.
The escalating pandemic brought about by the novel SARS-CoV-2 virus is threatening global health, and thus, it is necessary to develop effective antiviral drugs. Usenamine A is a dibenzo-furan derivative separated from lichen Usnea diffracta showing broad-spectrum activity against different viruses. We evaluate that usenamine A has antiviral effects against novel SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant pseudotyped viruses (PVs) in A549 cells. In addition, usenamine A significantly suppresses SARS-CoV-2 PV-induced mitochondrial depolarization, elevated reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, apoptosis, and inflammation. Usenamine A also causes the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein to become less stable. Thus, usenamine A shows potential as an antiviral drug that can provide protection against COVID-19.
