A novel property of hexokinase inhibition by Favipiravir and proposed advantages over Molnupiravir and 2 Deoxy d glucose in treating COVID-19

• Published in: Biotechnology letters Vol. 44; no. 7; pp. 831 - 843
• Main Authors: Kulkarni, Prajakta, Padmanabhan, Sriram
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Dordrecht Springer Netherlands 01.07.2022; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Antiviral drugs; Applied Microbiology; Biochemistry; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Biotechnology; Coronaviruses; COVID-19; Disease transmission; Drugs; Enzymes; Esterases; Glucose; Hexokinase; Infections; Inhibition; Life Sciences; Ligands; Microbiology; Molecular docking; Original Research Paper; Proteins; Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2; Software; Viral infections; COVID-19; 2 Deoxy; glucose; Molnupiravir; Favipiravir; Hexokinase; Molecular docking; 2 Deoxy D glucose
• ISSN: 0141-5492; 1573-6776
• DOI: 10.1007/s10529-022-03259-6

Purpose In the wake of SARS-CoV-2’s global spread, human activities from health to social life to education have been affected. Favipiravir and Molnupiravir exhibited novel hexokinase inhibition and we discuss advantages of this property in their COVID-19 inhibition potential. Methods This paper describes molecular docking data of human hexokinase II with Favipiravir, Cyan 20, Remdesivir, 2DG, and Molnupiravir along with hexokinase inhibition assays. Results Favipiravir, an antiviral drug previously cleared for treating the flu and ebola, has shown some promise in early trials to treat COVID-19. We observed potent human hexokinase inhibiting potential of Favipiravir (50%) as against 4% and merely 0.3% hexokinase inhibition with Molnupiravir and 2 Deoxy d glucose at 0.1 mM concentration supported by molecular docking studies. Conclusion Favipiravir could continue to be part of the COVID-19 treatment regimen due to its resistance to host esterases, hexokinase inhibition potential and proven safety through human trials.