Front Cover: The Inhibition of RNA Viruses by Amaryllidaceae Alkaloids: Opportunities for the Development of Broad‐Spectrum Anti‐Coronavirus Drugs (Chem. Asian J. 4/2022)

Abstract

From Lillies to Life-Savers: Amaryllidaceae Alkaloid Inspired Coronavirus Inhibitors. The global COVID-19 pandemic has claimed the lives of millions and disrupted nearly every aspect of human society. Currently, vaccines remain the only widely available medical means to address the cause of the pandemic, the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Unfortunately, current scientific consensus deems the emergence of vaccine-resistant SARS-CoV-2 variants highly likely. In this context, the design and development of broad-spectrum, small-molecule based antiviral drugs has been described as a potentially effective, alternative medical strategy to address circulating and re-emerging CoVs. Small molecules are well-suited to target the least-rapidly evolving structures within CoVs such as highly conserved RNA replication enzymes, and this renders them less vulnerable to evolved drug resistance. Examination of the vast literature describing the inhibition of RNA viruses by Amaryllidaceae alkaloids suggests that future, broad-spectrum anti-CoV drugs may be derived from this family of natural products. More information can be found in the Review by Ping Lan, Lorenzo V. White et al. (The Cover image was designed by Ms. Ingrid Banwell.)