Identification of Bioactive Phytoconstituents from the Plant Euphorbia hirta as Potential Inhibitor of SARS-CoV-2: an In-Silico Approach

Abstract

Currently, the entire globe is under the deadliest pandemic of Covid-19 caused by Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). At present, no specific treatment is available to combat COVID-19 infection. Euphorbia hirta (Euphorbiaceae) have been reported for a variety of biological activities, including antiviral. The present investigation aimed to identify potential phytoconstituents of the plant E. hirta from the category flavonoids and coumarins against the SARS-CoV-2 using in silico approach. The molecular docking studies were performed using two different targets of SARS-CoV-2, namely Main protease (Mpro; PDB ID: 6M2N) and RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp; PDB ID: 7BW4). Based on the molecular docking study in comparison with standard drug, four compounds, namely Euphrobianin, Quercetin, 3-o-alpha-rhamnoside, Isoquercitrin, and rutin, were screened against the target Mpro. Three phytoconstituents, euphorbianin, myricetin, and rutin, were screened against the target RdRp. In the in silico toxicity studies of screened phytoconstituents, except myrectin all were predicted safe. Results of euphorbianin and rutin were found more interesting as both compounds had high binding affinity against both targets. Finally, we want to conclude that euphrobianin, quercetin 3-o-alpha-rhamnoside, isoquercitrin, and rutin could be further explored rapidly as they may have the potential to fight against COVID-19.