Structural Analysis of SARS-CoV-2 ORF8 Protein: Pathogenic and Therapeutic Implications.

Current therapeutic strategies and vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 are mainly focused on the Spike protein despite there are other viral proteins with important roles in COVID-19 pathogenicity. For example, ORF8 restructures vesicular trafficking in the host cell, impacts intracellular immunity through the IFN-I signaling, and growth pathways through the mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs). In this mini-review, we analyze the main structural similarities of ORF8 with immunological molecules such as IL-1, contributing to the immunological deregulation observed in COVID-19. We also propose that the blockage of some effector functions of ORF8 with Rapamycin, such as the mTORC1 activation through MAPKs 40 pathway, with Rapamycin, can be a promising approach to reduce COVID-19 mortality.

Chitosan derivatives: A suggestive evaluation for novel inhibitor discovery against wild type and variants of SARS-CoV-2 virus.

With increasing global cases and mortality rates due to COVID-19 infection, finding effective therapeutic interventions has become a top priority. Marine resources are not explored much and to be taken into consideration for exploring antiviral potential. Chitosan (carbohydrate polymer) is one such bioactive glycan found ubiquitously in marine organisms. The presence of reactive amine/hydroxyl groups, with low toxicity/allergenicity, compels us to explore it against SARS-CoV-2. We have screened a library of chitosan derivatives by site-specific docking at not only spike protein Receptor Binding Domain (RBD) of wild type SARS-CoV-2 but also on RBD of B.1.1.7 (UK) and P.1 (Brazil) SARS-CoV-2 variants. The obtained result was very interesting and ranks N-benzyl-O-acetyl-chitosan, Imino-chitosan, Sulfated-chitosan oligosaccharides derivatives as a potent antiviral candidate due to its high binding affinity of the ligands (-6.0 to -6.6 kcal/mol) with SARS-CoV-2 spike protein RBD and they critically interacting with amino acid residues Tyr 449, Asn 501, Tyr 501, Gln 493, Gln 498 and some other site-specific residues associated with higher transmissibility and severe infection. Further ADMET analysis was done and found significant for exploration of the future therapeutic potential of these three ligands. The obtained results are highly encouraging in support for consideration and exploration in further clinical studies of these chitosan derivatives as anti-SARS-CoV-2 therapeutics.

A mini review of studies that include the therapeutic role of Chloroquine and Hydroxychloroquine in coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) / Una mini revisión de estudios que incluyen el papel terapéutico de la cloroquina y la hidroxicloroquina en la enfermedad por coronavirus-19 (COVID-19)

COVID-19 (Coronavirus Disease-2019) is now considered a public health emergency of that concerns the whole globe. Despite it is still not approved, the use of aminoquinoline drugs such as chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine are now in increasing, especially with the pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). This mini review highlights the main information's gathered of using the therapeutic purpose of both these medications in the extraordinary situation of coronavirus disease -19..Au

COVID-19 (Enfermedad por coronavirus-2019) ahora se considera una emergencia de salud pública que afecta a todo el mundo. A pesar de que todavía no está aprobado, el uso de medicamentos de aminoquinolina como la cloroquina y la hidroxicloroquina ahora está aumentando, especialmente con la pandemia de la enfermedad por coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19). Esta mini revisión destaca la principal información recopilada sobre el uso del propósito terapéutico de estos dos medicamentos en la extraordinaria situación de la enfermedad por coronavirus -19..Au