Virtual Screening of Potential Drug Molecules Against Covid-19 Targets: A Drug Repurposing Approach

Abstract

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has shattered normal life across the world. This deadly virus displays many variants and has claimed many lives in various countries. Spike protein plays a major role in the transmission and infectivity of this virus. The scientific community is trying hard to reign this virus and save human lives. In this effort, drug repurposing has emerged as a reliable tool to screen FDA-approved drugs. In the present study, we did a virtual screening of 265 FDA-approved drugs against two important covid-19 targets (Non-structural protein & main protease) with PDB IDs 6W4H, 6LU7, and 6W63. A comparative analysis of the best drugs based on docking score, binding energy, and effective hits was done against both targets. Out of 265 molecules, the best 7 molecules showed reliable hits against both targets. Best seven drugs namely Saquinavir, Indinavir, Tenofovir Alafenamide, Ritonavir, Nelfinavir mesylate, Cefiderocol and Plazomicin. Our results suggest that these ligands, in combination or individually, can be taken as novel prospects for developing a drug against SARS CoV-2.