In silico, screening of plant extracts for anti-SARS-CoV-2 activity and evaluation of their acute and sub-acute toxicity.

BACKGROUND

In the absence of a specific drug for COVID 19, treatment with plant extracts could be an option worthy of further investigation and has motivated to evaluate the safety and anti-SARS-CoV-2 activity of plant extracts.

PURPOSE

To screen the phytochemicals for anti-SARS-CoV-2 and evaluate their safety and efficacy and

METHOD

The phytochemicals for anti-SARS-CoV-2 were screened using molecular docking. The hits generated from screening were subjected for extraction, isolation and purification. The anti-SARS-CoV-2 activity of (E1), (E2), (E3), (E4), (E5) ethanol extracts. The aerial parts were used for E1, E3, E4, E5 and root was used for E2. The safety and anti-SARS-CoV-2 activity of plant methanol extracts were performed in VeroE6 cells using Remdesivir as positive control. The acute and sub-acute toxicity study was performed in Wistar male and female rats.

RESULTS

The percentage of cell viability for E4, E5 and E2 treated VeroE6 cells were remarkably good on the 24th and 48th hour of treatment. The anti-SARS-CoV-2 activity of E4, E5 and E2 were significant for both E gene and N gene. The percentage of SARS-CoV-2 inhibition for E4 was better than Remdesivir. For E gene and N gene, Remdesivir showed IC of 0.15 µM and 0.11 µM respectively, For E gene and N gene, E4 showed IC of 1.18 µg and 1.16 µg respectively. Taking the clue from findings, the E4 E5 and E2 were combined (E 4.5.2) and evaluated for acute and sub-acute toxicity in Wistar male and female rats. No statistically significant difference in haematological, biochemical and histopathological parameters were noticed.

CONCLUSION

The study demonstrated the anti-SARS-CoV-2 activity and safety of plant extracts in both and experimental conditions.