Atovaquone and Berberine Chloride Reduce SARS-CoV-2 Replication In Vitro

Viruses

Margaret Kielian¹  Rebecca S. Brown¹  Angelica Cifuentes Kottkamp²  Ken Cadwell³  Maria E. Kaczmarek³  Maria G. Noval³  Kenneth A. Stapleford³  Kyung Ku Jang³  Bruno A. Rodriguez-Rodriguez³  Sara A. Thannickal³ 

[1] Department of Cell Biology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA;Department of Medicine, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA;Department of Microbiology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA;

关键词: antiviral;    coronavirus;    atovaquone;    berberine chloride;   

DOI  :  10.3390/v13122437

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

Epidemic RNA viruses seem to arise year after year leading to countless infections and devastating disease. SARS-CoV-2 is the most recent of these viruses, but there will undoubtedly be more to come. While effective SARS-CoV-2 vaccines are being deployed, one approach that is still missing is effective antivirals that can be used at the onset of infections and therefore prevent pandemics. Here, we screened FDA-approved compounds against SARS-CoV-2. We found that atovaquone, a pyrimidine biosynthesis inhibitor, is able to reduce SARS-CoV-2 infection in human lung cells. In addition, we found that berberine chloride, a plant-based compound used in holistic medicine, was able to inhibit SARS-CoV-2 infection in cells through direct interaction with the virion. Taken together, these studies highlight potential avenues of antiviral development to block emerging viruses. Such proactive approaches, conducted well before the next pandemic, will be essential to have drugs ready for when the next emerging virus hits.

【 授权许可】

Unknown