Bioprospecting phytochemicals of Rosmarinus officinalis L. for targeting SARS-CoV-2 main protease (Mpro): a computational study

• Published in: Journal of molecular modeling Vol. 29; no. 5; p. 161
• Main Authors: Patel, Unnati, Desai, Krishna, Dabhi, Ranjitsinh C., Maru, Jayesh J., Shrivastav, Pranav S.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Berlin/Heidelberg Springer Berlin Heidelberg 01.05.2023; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Antiviral Agents - pharmacology; Bioprospecting; Characterization and Evaluation of Materials; Chemistry; Chemistry and Materials Science; Computer Appl. in Life Sciences; Computer Applications in Chemistry; Context; Coronaviruses; COVID-19; Inhibitors; Molecular docking; Molecular Docking Simulation; Molecular dynamics; Molecular Dynamics Simulation; Molecular Medicine; Original Paper; Polyphenols; Protease; Protease Inhibitors - pharmacology; Rosmarinic acid; Rosmarinus; SARS-CoV-2; Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2; Terpenes; Theoretical and Computational Chemistry; Viral diseases; Molecular dynamics; Drug-likeness study; L; ADMET; Molecular docking; SARS-CoV-2 M; SARS-CoV-2 Mpro; Rosmarinus officinalis L
• ISSN: 1610-2940; 0948-5023
• DOI: 10.1007/s00894-023-05569-6

Context The persistent spread of highly contagious COVID-19 disease is one of the deadliest occurrences in the history of mankind. Despite the distribution of numerous efficacious vaccines and their extensive usage, the perpetual effectiveness of immunization is being catechized. Therefore, discovering an alternative therapy to control and prevent COVID-19 infections has become a top priority. The main protease (M pro ) plays a key role in viral replication, making it an intriguing pharmacological target for SARS-CoV-2. Methods In this context, virtual screening of thirteen bioactive polyphenols and terpenoids of Rosmarinus officinalis L. was performed using several computational modules including molecular docking, ADMET, drug-likeness characteristics, and molecular dynamic simulation to predict the potential inhibitors against SARS-CoV-2 M pro (PDB: 6LU7). The results suggest that apigenin, betulinic acid, luteolin, carnosol, and rosmarinic acid may emerge as potential inhibitors of SARS-CoV-2 with acceptable drug-likeness, pharmacokinetics, ADMET characteristics, and binding interactions comparable with remdesivir and favipiravir. These findings imply that some of the active components of Rosmarinus officinalis L. can serve as an effective antiviral source for the development of therapeutics for SARS-CoV-2 infection.