Porphyrin-derived carbon dots for an enhanced antiviral activity targeting the CTD of SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid

Background

Since effective antiviral drugs for COVID-19 are still limited in number, the exploration of compounds that have antiviral activity against SARS-CoV-2 is in high demand. Porphyrin is potentially developed as a COVID-19 antiviral drug. However, its low solubility in water restricts its clinical application. Reconstruction of porphyrin into carbon dots is expected to possess better solubility and bioavailability as well as lower biotoxicity.

Methods and results

In this study, we investigated the antiviral activity of porphyrin and porphyrin-derived carbon dots against SARS-CoV-2. Through the in silico analysis and assessment using a novel drug screening platform, namely dimer-based screening system, we demonstrated the capability of the antivirus candidates in inhibiting the dimerization of the C-terminal domain of SARS-CoV-2 Nucleocapsid. It was shown that porphyrin-derived carbon dots possessed lower cytotoxicity on Vero E6 cells than porphyrin. Furthermore, we also assessed their antiviral activity on the SARS-CoV-2-infected Vero E6 cells. The transformation of porphyrin into carbon dots substantially augmented its performance in disrupting SARS-CoV-2 propagation in vitro.

Conclusions

Therefore, this study comprehensively demonstrated the potential of porphyrin-derived carbon dots to be developed further as a promisingly safe and effective COVID-19 antiviral drug.

Loại tài liệu:

Article - Bài báo

Tác giả:

Fibriani, Azzania

Đề mục:

Journal of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology

Nhà xuất bản:

Elsevier

Ngày xuất bản:

December 2023

Số trang/ tờ:

Định dạng:

pdf

Định danh tư liệu:

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s43141-023-00548-z | ISSN 1687-157X

Nguồn gốc:

Journal of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Volume 21, Issue 1, December 2023, 93

Loại file Tập tin đính kèm Dung lượng Chi tiết
2023V21JGEB93.pdf 2380580 Kb Xem Tải