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Antiviral Activity Against SARS-CoV-2 Variants Using in Silico and in Vitro Approaches

  • Virology
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Abstract

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) emergence in 2019 led to global health crises and the persistent risk of viral mutations. To combat SARS-CoV-2 variants, researchers have explored new approaches to identifying potential targets for coronaviruses. This study aimed to identify SARS-CoV-2 inhibitors using drug repurposing. In silico studies and network pharmacology were conducted to validate targets and coronavirus-associated diseases to select potential candidates, and in vitro assays were performed to evaluate the antiviral effects of the candidate drugs to elucidate the mechanisms of the viruses at the molecular level and determine the effective antiviral drugs for them. Plaque and cytopathic effect reduction were evaluated, and real-time quantitative reverse transcription was used to evaluate the antiviral activity of the candidate drugs against SARS-CoV-2 variants in vitro. Finally, a comparison was made between the molecular docking binding affinities of fenofibrate and remdesivir (positive control) to conventional and identified targets validated from protein–protein interaction (PPI). Seven candidate drugs were obtained based on the biological targets of the coronavirus, and potential targets were identified by constructing complex disease targets and PPI networks. Among the candidates, fenofibrate exhibited the strongest inhibition effect 1 h after Vero E6 cell infection with SARS-CoV-2 variants. This study identified potential targets for coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and SARS-CoV-2 and suggested fenofibrate as a potential therapy for COVID-19.

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Data availability

The datasets generated during the current study are available from the corresponding authors (kimera@konkuk.ac.kr and mj0411@konkuk.ac.kr) on reasonable request.

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Acknowledgements

This research was supported by a grant (21182MFDS280, 22183MFDS443, and 22212MFDS254) from the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biomedical Science and Engineering, Konkuk University, Seoul, 05029, Republic of Korea

    Hee-Jung Lee, Hanul Choi, Aleksandra Nowakowska, Minjee Kim & Young Bong Kim

  2. Department of Biological Sciences, Konkuk University, Seoul, 05029, Republic of Korea

    Lin-Woo Kang

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  1. Hee-Jung Lee
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  2. Hanul Choi
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Correspondence to Minjee Kim or Young Bong Kim.

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Lee, HJ., Choi, H., Nowakowska, A. et al. Antiviral Activity Against SARS-CoV-2 Variants Using in Silico and in Vitro Approaches. J Microbiol. 61, 703–711 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12275-023-00062-4

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