Glycyrrhizic Acid Nanoparticles as Antiviral and Anti-inflammatory Agents for COVID-19 Treatment

Abstract

COVID-19 has been diffusely pandemic around the world, characterized by massive morbidity and mortality. One of the remarkable threats associated with mortality may be the uncontrolled inflammatory processes, which were induced by SARS-CoV-2 in infected patients. As there are no specific drugs, exploiting safe and effective treatment strategies is an instant requirement to dwindle viral damage and relieve extreme inflammation simultaneously. Here, highly biocompatible glycyrrhizic acid (GA) nanoparticles (GANPs) were synthesized based on GA. In vitro investigations revealed that GANPs inhibit the proliferation of the murine coronavirus MHV-A59 and reduce proinflammatory cytokine production caused by MHV-A59 or the N protein of SARS-CoV-2. In an MHV-A59-induced surrogate mouse model of COVID-19, GANPs specifically target areas with severe inflammation, such as the lungs, which appeared to improve the accumulation of GANPs and enhance the effectiveness of the treatment. Further, GANPs also exert antiviral and anti-inflammatory effects, relieving organ damage and conferring a significant survival advantage to infected mice. Such a novel therapeutic agent can be readily manufactured into feasible treatment for COVID-19.

Glycyrrhizic Acid Inhibits SARS-CoV-2 Infection by Blocking Spike Protein-Mediated Cell Attachment

“…In an assimilated SARS-CoV-2-infected mouse model, nanoparticles carrying GA demonstrated therapeutic effects through anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities [ 37 ]. At the intracellular and circulating levels, GA binds to high-mobility group box 1 protein (HMGB1) to provide robust anti-inflammatory and neuroprotection [ 38 , 39 ].…”

Recent Advances and Applications of Plant-Based Bioactive Saponins in Colloidal Multiphase Food Systems

“…Recently, many studies have demonstrated that the GA can be considered as one promising anti-SARS-CoV-2 drug candidate, alone and in combination with other drugs (e.g., chloroquine and tenofovir), to combat the current COVID-19 pandemic [ 19 ]. This is mainly due to the capacity of GA to bind to the angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), a SARS-CoV-2 receptor, which can prevent the virus from diffusing out of infected cells and to enter new cells [ 19 , 53 , 54 , 55 ]. In addition, other structurally related saponins with the membrane-perturbating effects, such as escin, platycodin D and saikosaponin, also exhibit strong biological activity against coronavirus [ 19 , 56 , 57 ].…”

Could Nanotechnology Help to End the Fight Against COVID-19? Review of Current Findings, Challenges and Future Perspectives

“…Synthesizing highly biocompatible glycyrrhizic acid NPs demonstrated a significantly enhanced antiviral and anti-inflammatory effects in vitro and in vivo. 152 A typical Indonesian natural product administration culture, called jamu, is commonly practiced to relieve pain and inflammation from acute and chronic disorders. The efficacy and the value of jamu have been improved using various nanotechnology approaches such as nanosuspension, nanoemulsion, nanoencapsulation, and nanofiber fabrication.…”