Potent inhibition of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 by photosensitizers compounds

Abstract

The ongoing pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) posed a major challenge to the public health. Currently, no proven antiviral treatment for Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection is available. Here we report compounds pentalysine β-carbonylphthalocyanine zinc (ZnPc5K) and chlorin e6 (ce6) potently inhibited the viral infection and replication in vitro with EC 50 values at nanomolar level. These compounds were first identified by screening a panel of photosensitizers for photodynamic viral inactivation. Such viral inactivation strategy is implementable, and has unique advantages, including resistance to virus mutations, affordability compared to the monoclonal antibodies, and lack of long-term toxicity.

Photodynamic Inactivation of Human Coronaviruses

“…PhytoQuin acts in a light-dependent manner to damage nearby macromolecules, which is consistent with a ROS-mediated mechanism of action as observed for other photosensitizers. Our study provides strong support for the addition of PhytoQuin and the PhytoQuin constituent emodin to the growing list of PSs with antiviral activity against CoVs [30][31][32][33][34][35][36][37].…”

A new class of quaternary ammonium compounds as potent and environmental friendly disinfectants

“…The current work highlights the possibility of developing new type of disinfectants by incorporating phthalocyanine group in the molecular structures to render highly effective antimicrobial efficacy and, at the same time, environmentally degradable disinfectant. Phthalocyanine offers a great advantage in photodynamic inactivation of not only bacteria, but also other pathogens, including viruses and yeast ( Yu et al, 2021 ). In addition, phthalocyanine appears to strike a reasonable balance between the stability for the antimicrobial effect and the degradability in the environment.…”

Punicalagin as an allosteric NSP13 helicase inhibitor potently suppresses SARS-CoV-2 replication in vitro

“…The antiviral activity of PUG was analyzed as previously described ( Yu et al, 2021 ). Briefly, Vero or A549-ACE2 cells cultured in 96-well plates were pre-treated with various concentrations of compounds for 1 h, then the SARS-CoV-2 (BetaCoV/Shenzhen/SZTH-003/2020, GISAID No.…”