Identification of potential SARS-CoV-2 main protease inhibitors from Ficus Carica Latex: An in-silico approach

Abstract

SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2) is the aetiological agent behind the current pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). SARS-CoV-2 main protease plays a dynamic role in mediating viral replication and transcription, which is one of the most probable drug targets against SARS-CoV-2. Ficus carica latex encompasses notable bioactive molecules with various biological properties, including antiviral activities. In this study, latex compounds of Ficus carica were screened to find out active phytochemicals against SARS-CoV-2 main protease through molecular docking, molecular dynamics simulation, and ADMET (absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, and toxicity) profiling. A total of 21 compounds were screened, and the compounds, lupeol, α-amyrin, and luteolin, showed the highest binding affinity and intense interaction with the vital catalytic residue His 41 and Cys 145. The molecular dynamics simulation revealed that the amyrin is the most stable compound with higher binding free energy, suggesting that this compound can compete with the native ligands of the main protease. The ADMET analysis indicated that these phytochemicals have considerable physicochemical, pharmacokinetics, and drug-likeness properties and do not possess any considerable detrimental effects and can be considered as potential drug candidates against SARS-CoV-2. However, further in-vitro, in-vivo, and clinical trials are required to observe the exact efficiency of these compounds. © 2020, Bangladesh Society for Microbiology, Immunology and Advanced Biotechnology. All rights reserved.