Screening of Siddha Herbal Formulation Maramanjal Kudineer Churnam Against COVID-19 Through Targeting of Main Protease and RNA-Dependent RNA Polymerase of SARS-CoV-2 by Molecular Docking Studies

Abstract

Background: Corona virus disease (COVID-19) is an infectious pandemic disease caused by the newly discovered novel corona virus. It was first diagnosed in Wuhan, China. COVID-19 virus spreads by droplets of saliva or discharge from the nose of the infected person via coughs or sneezes. Recently on 07/07/2020 WHO acknowledged “Evidence emerging” of the airborne spread of the corona virus. According to WHO, globally as on 10/07/2020 05.30 GMT +5.30, there have been 1,20,15,193 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 5,49,247 deaths reported. Currently, there is no specific treatment approved for COVID-19, although treatment and vaccines are under study. In India, Department of AYUSH promotes the Indian system of Medicine to treat COVID-19 and recommends the use of anti-viral Siddha formulations Nilavembu Kudineer and Kabasura Kudineer. The present study aims to work on Siddha formulation Maramanjal Kudineer Churnam (MKC) a step towards treatment for the COVID-19 and to create a scientific evidence for the use of MKC. Methods: Seventy-four phytoconstituents of the MKC formulation was selected for the molecular docking studies to act on two critical targets main protease and SARS-CoV-2 RNA-dependent RNA polymerase. The molecular docking study was performed by using MGL Tools 1.5.6. Results: Docking studies on the data set of 74 phytoconstituents present in MKC, 74 phytoconstituents developed a docking results against the target COVID-19 main protease and 74 phytoconstituents developed a docking results against the target SARS-CoV-2 RNA-dependent RNA polymerase. Conclusion: This research has concluded that the MKC has the lead molecules that inhibits COVID-19’s target of Main Protease of COVID-19 and SARS Cov-2 RNA-dependent RNA polymerase.