Phycobilins as potent food bioactive broad-spectrum inhibitor compounds against Mproand PLproof SARS-CoV-2 and other coronaviruses: A preliminary Study

Abstract

AbstractIn the twenty first century, we have witnessed three corona virus outbreaks; SARS in 2003, MERS in 2012 and ongoing pandemic COVID-19. To prevent outbreaks by novel mutant strains, we need broad-spectrum antiviral agents that are effective against wide array of coronaviruses. In this study, we scientifically investigated potent food bioactive broad-spectrum antiviral compounds by targeting Mproand PLproproteases of CoVs usingin silicoandin vitroapproaches. The results revealed that phycocyanobilin (PCB) showed potential inhibitor activity against both proteases. PCB had best binding affinity to Mproand PLprowith IC50values of 71 μm and 62 μm, respectively. In addition,in silicostudies of Mproand PLproenzymes of other human and animal CoVs indicated broad spectrum inhibitor activity of the PCB. Like PCB, other phycobilins such as phycourobilin (PUB), Phycoerythrobilin (PEB) and Phycoviolobilin (PVB) showed similar binding affinity to SARS-CoV-2 Mproand PLpro