Biological Activity of Gold Compounds against Viruses and Parasitosis: A Systematic Review

Abstract

In this contribution, we provide an overview of gold compound applications against viruses or parasites during recent years. The special properties of gold have been the subject of intense investigation in recent years, which has led to the development of its chemistry with the synthesis of new compounds and the study of its applicability in various areas such as catalysis, materials, nanotechnology and medicine. Herein, thirteen gold articles with applications in several viruses, such as hepatitis C virus (HCV), influenza A virus (H1N1), vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV), coronavirus (SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2), Dengue virus, and several parasites such as Plasmodium sp., Leishmania sp., Tripanossoma sp., Brugia sp., Schistosoma sp., Onchocerca sp., Acanthamoeba sp., and Trichomonas sp. are described. Gold compounds with anti-viral activity include gold nanoparticles with the ligands mercaptoundecanosulfonate, 1-octanethiol and aldoses and gold complexes with phosphine and carbene ligands. All of the gold compounds with anti-parasitic activity reported are gold complexes of the carbene type. Auranofin is a gold drug already used against rheumatoid arthritis, and it has also been tested against virus and parasites.

Next Generation Gold Drugs and Probes: Chemistry and Biomedical Applications

“…159 A recent review profiled inhibition of SARS-CoV-2 by structurally diverse metal complexes including 36 gold(I)/(III) complexes. 398 Inhibition of SARS-CoV-2 can occur either by the interaction of spike protein with the ACE2 receptor or by the papain-like protease PLpro. For instance, chloroauric acid showed a moderate inhibition (about 47% inhibitory activity) while the other gold compounds were poorly active or inactive.…”

“…For instance, chloroauric acid showed a moderate inhibition (about 47% inhibitory activity) while the other gold compounds were poorly active or inactive. 398 Also, structure−activity relationship studies reveals a preference for complexes with good leaving groups (e.g., chloride) compared to complexes with firmly coordinated ligands such as dicarbene gold complexes of the type [(NHC) 2 Au] + , which were inactive. Gold(III) dithiocarbamate glycoconjugates showed strong selectivity against SARS-CoV-2 PLpro.…”

“…Gold(III) dithiocarbamate glycoconjugates showed strong selectivity against SARS-CoV-2 PLpro. 398 The gold complexes studied showed strong toxicity against Caco-2 cell line except for four complexes which were then selected and tested for SARS-CoV-2 antiviral assay, with the [Au(I)-NHC] complex showing excellent activity at micromolar range.…”

“…A recent review profiled inhibition of SARS-CoV-2 by structurally diverse metal complexes including 36 gold­(I)/(III) complexes . Inhibition of SARS-CoV-2 can occur either by the interaction of spike protein with the ACE2 receptor or by the papain-like protease PLpro.…”

“…Also, structure–activity relationship studies reveals a preference for complexes with good leaving groups (e.g., chloride) compared to complexes with firmly coordinated ligands such as dicarbene gold complexes of the type [(NHC) 2 Au] + , which were inactive. Gold­(III) dithiocarbamate glycoconjugates showed strong selectivity against SARS-CoV-2 PLpro . The gold complexes studied showed strong toxicity against Caco-2 cell line except for four complexes which were then selected and tested for SARS-CoV-2 antiviral assay, with the [Au­(I)-NHC] complex showing excellent activity at micromolar range.…”