Frontiers in Health Informatics (May 2021)

Investigation of Anti-Coronavirus, Anti-HCV, Nucleotide Inhibitors, and Bioactive Molecules efficacy Against RNA-directed RNA polymerase of Nipah Virus: Molecular Docking Study

  • Peter T. Habib

DOI
https://doi.org/10.30699/fhi.v10i1.288
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 10, no. 1

Abstract

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Introduction: The infections with the Nipah virus (NiV) are highly infectious and may lead to severe febrile encephalitis. High mortality rates in southeastern Asia, including Bengal, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, Vietnam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Madagascar, the Philippines, Thailand, and India, have been reported in NiV outbreaks. Considering the high risk of an epidemic, NiV was declared a priority pathogen by the World Health Organization. However, for the treatment of this infection, there is no effective therapy or approved FDA medicines. RNA-dependent polymerase RNA (RdRp) plays an important role in viral replication among the nine well-known proteins of NiV. Material and Methods: Fourteen antiviral molecules have been computerized for NiV RNA-dependent RNA polymerase and demonstrated a potential inhibition effect against coronavirus (NiV-RdRp). A multi-step molecular docking process, followed by extensive analyzes of molecular binding interactions, binding energy estimates, synthetic accessibility assessments, and toxicity tests. Results: Molecular docking analysis reveals that Uprifosbuvir is the most suitable inhibitor for RdRp of Nipah Virus regarding the binding affinity and binding in the target cavity. Although, such studies need clinical confirmation. Conclusion: The role of anti-viral molecules as a ligand against RNA-dependent RNA polymerase is critical important in the current era. Computational tools such as molecular docking has proven its power in the analysis of molecules interaction. Our analysis reveals the Uprifosbuvir might be a candidate RdRp inhibitor. This study should further investigate the properties of the already identified anti-viral molecules followed by a pharmacological investigation of these in-silico findings in suitable models.