Emergence of severe acute respiratory syndrome corona virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection has given rise to COVID-19 pandemic, that is wreaking havoc worldwide. Therefore, there is an urgent need to find out novel drugs to combat SARS-CoV-2 infection. In this backdrop, the present study was aimed to assess potent bioactive compounds from different fungi as potential inhibitors of SARS-CoV-2 main protease (M^pro) using an <i>in-silico</i> analysis. Nearly 118 bioactive compounds were extracted from <i>Dictyophora indusiata</i>, <i>Geassstrum triplex</i> and <i>Cyathus stercoreus </i>and identified using HR LC/MS analysis. Of which, only bergenin (<i>D. indusiata</i>), quercitrin (<i>G. triplex</i>) and dihydroartemisinin (<i>C. stercoreus</i>) were selected based on their medicinal uses, binding score and active site covered. The 6LU7, a protein crystallographic structure of SARS-CoV-2 M^pro, was docked with bergenin, quercitrin and dihydroartemisinin using Autodock 4.2 and the binding energies obtained were -7.86, -10.29 and -7.20 kcal/mol, respectively. Bergenin, quercitrin and dihydroartemisinin formed hydrogen bond, electrostatic interactions and hydrophobic interactions with foremost active site amino acids THR190, GLU166, GLN189, GLY143, HIS163, HIS164, CYS145 and PHE140. Present investigation suggests that these three drugs may be used as alternative inhibitors against SARS-CoV-2 M^pro. However, further research is necessary to assess <i>in vitro</i> potential of these drugs. To the best of our knowledge, present investigation reported these three bioactive compounds of fungal origin for the first time.

Emergence of severe acute respiratory syndrome corona virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection has given rise to COVID-19 pandemic, that is wreaking havoc worldwide. Therefore, there is an urgent need to find out novel drugs to combat SARS-CoV-2 infection. In this backdrop, the present study was aimed to assess potent bioactive compounds from different fungi as potential inhibitors of SARS-CoV-2 main protease (M^pro) using an <i>in-silico</i> analysis. Nearly 118 bioactive compounds were extracted from <i>Dictyophora indusiata</i>, <i>Geassstrum triplex</i> and <i>Cyathus stercoreus </i>and identified using HR LC/MS analysis. Of which, only bergenin (<i>D. indusiata</i>), quercitrin (<i>G. triplex</i>) and dihydroartemisinin (<i>C. stercoreus</i>) were selected based on their medicinal uses, binding score and active site covered. The 6LU7, a protein crystallographic structure of SARS-CoV-2 M^pro, was docked with bergenin, quercitrin and dihydroartemisinin using Autodock 4.2 and the binding energies obtained were -7.86, -10.29 and -7.20 kcal/mol, respectively. Bergenin, quercitrin and dihydroartemisinin formed hydrogen bond, electrostatic interactions and hydrophobic interactions with foremost active site amino acids THR190, GLU166, GLN189, GLY143, HIS163, HIS164, CYS145 and PHE140. Present investigation suggests that these three drugs may be used as alternative inhibitors against SARS-CoV-2 M^pro. However, further research is necessary to assess <i>in vitro</i> potential of these drugs. To the best of our knowledge, present investigation reported these three bioactive compounds of fungal origin for the first time.

<p>Novel Corona virus-2 (Covid-19) is spreading and causing major damage around the globe and constantly increasing daily. There is a prerequisite of expeditious development of safe and efficient drugs for such a contagious disease. In this regard, utilization of a computational approach with an aim to provide potential enzyme inhibitors derived from natural resources will give a providential therapy. The present study investigated one of the promising plants namely Glycyrrhiza glabra L. It has various medicinal properties viz. anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, anti-demulcent, expectorant, etc. <i>In-Silico</i> Analysis of liquiritin against SARS-CoV-2 Mpro was carried out using Autodock 4.2.6 and results were compared with presently prescribed drugs i.e. dexamethasone, remdesivir, hydroxychloroquine, and azithromycin. The binding energy of liquiritin was found to be -6.62 kcal/mol. It shows presence of hydrogen bond, hydrophobic interaction and electrostatic interaction with six active residues THR26, GLY143, CYS145, HIS 164, GLU166, and GLN189. Comparative studies investigated that dexamethasone, remdesivir, hydroxychloroquine, and azithromycin have four (THR26, GLY143, CYS145, GLU166), three (CYS145, GLU166, GLN189), four (GLY143, CYS145, HIS 164, GLN189) and two (GLU166, GLN189) identical active residues, respectively. The present study recommended liquiritin as a potential candidate against SARS-CoV-2 as it is naturally derived and has tremendous traditional usage against various diseases. However, in-vitro and in-vivo studies are required to prove its efficacy.</p>

A new species of Amaranthaceae, Alternanthera kanhae, is described and illustrated from the bank of Sabarmati estuary in the state of Gujarat of Peninsular India. The new species is closely allied with A. caracasana and A. pungens but differs in many attributes. The identity of the newly proposed species is confirmed by molecular analysis of three chloroplast DNA (cpDNA) regions viz., rbcL, psbA–trnH and trnL–trnF. The sequences showed that A. kanhae has an independent lineage to that of its sister clade.

<p>Novel Corona virus-2 (Covid-19) is spreading and causing major damage around the globe and constantly increasing daily. There is a prerequisite of expeditious development of safe and efficient drugs for such a contagious disease. In this regard, utilization of a computational approach with an aim to provide potential enzyme inhibitors derived from natural resources will give a providential therapy. The present study investigated one of the promising plants namely Glycyrrhiza glabra L. It has various medicinal properties viz. anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, anti-demulcent, expectorant, etc. <i>In-Silico</i> Analysis of liquiritin against SARS-CoV-2 Mpro was carried out using Autodock 4.2.6 and results were compared with presently prescribed drugs i.e. dexamethasone, remdesivir, hydroxychloroquine, and azithromycin. The binding energy of liquiritin was found to be -6.62 kcal/mol. It shows presence of hydrogen bond, hydrophobic interaction and electrostatic interaction with six active residues THR26, GLY143, CYS145, HIS 164, GLU166, and GLN189. Comparative studies investigated that dexamethasone, remdesivir, hydroxychloroquine, and azithromycin have four (THR26, GLY143, CYS145, GLU166), three (CYS145, GLU166, GLN189), four (GLY143, CYS145, HIS 164, GLN189) and two (GLU166, GLN189) identical active residues, respectively. The present study recommended liquiritin as a potential candidate against SARS-CoV-2 as it is naturally derived and has tremendous traditional usage against various diseases. However, in-vitro and in-vivo studies are required to prove its efficacy.</p>