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Folic acid: a potential inhibitor against SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid protein.
Chen, Yu-Meng; Wei, Jin-Lai; Qin, Rui-Si; Hou, Jin-Ping; Zang, Guang-Chao; Zhang, Guang-Yuan; Chen, Ting-Ting.
  • Chen YM; Laboratory of Tissue and Cell Biology, Lab Teaching & Management Center, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, PR China.
  • Wei JL; Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, PR China.
  • Qin RS; Laboratory of Tissue and Cell Biology, Lab Teaching & Management Center, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, PR China.
  • Hou JP; General Surgery of Neonatal Surgery, Liangjiang District, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, PR China.
  • Zang GC; Laboratory of Tissue and Cell Biology, Lab Teaching & Management Center, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, PR China.
  • Zhang GY; Laboratory of Tissue and Cell Biology, Lab Teaching & Management Center, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, PR China.
  • Chen TT; Pathogen Biology and Immunology Laboratory, Lab Teaching & Management Center, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, PR China.
Pharm Biol ; 60(1): 862-878, 2022 Dec.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1860677
ABSTRACT
CONTEXT Coronavirus disease 2019 is a global pandemic. Studies suggest that folic acid has antiviral effects. Molecular docking shown that folic acid can act on SARS-CoV-2 Nucleocapsid Phosphoprotein (SARS-CoV-2 N).

OBJECTIVE:

To identify novel molecular therapeutic targets for SARS-CoV-2. MATERIALS AND

METHODS:

Traditional Chinese medicine targets and virus-related genes were identified with network pharmacology and big data analysis. Folic acid was singled out by molecular docking, and its potential target SARS-CoV-2 N was identified. Inhibition of SARS-CoV-2 N of folic acid was verified at the cellular level.

RESULTS:

In total, 8355 drug targets were potentially involved in the inhibition of SARS-CoV-2. 113 hub genes were screened by further association analysis between targets and virus-related genes. The hub genes related compounds were analysed and folic acid was screened as a potential new drug. Moreover, molecular docking showed folic acid could target on SARS-CoV-2 N which inhibits host RNA interference (RNAi). Therefore, this study was based on RNAi to verify whether folic acid antagonises SARS-CoV-2 N. Cell-based experiments shown that RNAi decreased mCherry expression by 81.7% (p < 0.001). This effect was decreased by 8.0% in the presence of SARS-CoV-2 N, indicating that SARS-CoV-2 N inhibits RNAi. With increasing of folic acid concentration, mCherry expression decreased, indicating that folic acid antagonises the regulatory effect of SARS-CoV-2 N on host RNAi. DISCUSSION AND

CONCLUSIONS:

Folic acid may be an antagonist of SARS-CoV-2 N, but its effect on viruses unclear. In future, the mechanisms of action of folic acid against SARS-CoV-2 N should be studied.
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Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: Folic Acid / Coronavirus Nucleocapsid Proteins / SARS-CoV-2 / COVID-19 Drug Treatment Topics: Traditional medicine Limits: Humans Language: English Journal: Pharm Biol Year: 2022 Document Type: Article

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Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: Folic Acid / Coronavirus Nucleocapsid Proteins / SARS-CoV-2 / COVID-19 Drug Treatment Topics: Traditional medicine Limits: Humans Language: English Journal: Pharm Biol Year: 2022 Document Type: Article