Discovery of New Ginsenol-like Compounds with High Antiviral Activity

A number of framework amides with a ginsenol backbone have been synthesized using the Ritter reaction. We named the acetamide as Ginsamide. A method was developed for the synthesis of the corresponding amine and thioacetamide. The new compounds revealed a high activity against H1N1 influenza, which was confirmed using an animal model. Biological experiments were performed to determine the mechanism of action of the new agents, a ginsamide-resistant strain of influenza virus was obtained, and the pathogenicity of the resistant strain and the control strain was studied. It was shown that the emergence of resistance to Ginsamide was accompanied by a reduction in the pathogenicity of the influenza virus.

Seaweed-Derived Sulfated Polysaccharides as Potential Agents for Prevention and Treatment of Influenza and COVID-19

The review presents materials describing the seaweed-derived sulfated polysaccharides (SPS) as potential means for prevention and treatment of viral diseases of the respiratory tract, mainly influenza and COVID-19. The literature materials on the pathogenetic targets of influenza viruses and SARS-CoV-2, on the antiviral potential of SPS derived from red, brown and green algae, as well as on the mechanisms of antiviral action of these unique compounds are summarized. Seaweed SPS are characterized by high antiviral activity, good solubility, and almost complete absence of toxicity. Pathogens of respiratory infections do not form resistance under the SPS influence. The abovementioned facts allow us to consider these compounds as promising candidates for the creation of medicines, dietary supplements, and functional food products with antiviral and, above all, anti-influenza and anti-coronavirus activity on their basis in the future.

In vitro activity of human recombinant alpha-2b interferon against SARS-CoV-2 virus

Introduction. The pandemic spread of a new coronavirus infection, COVID-19, has caused a global emergency and attracted the attention of public health professionals and the population of all countries. A significant increase in the number of new cases of SARS-CoV-2 infection demonstrates the urgency of finding drugs effective against this pathogen.The aim of this work was to evaluate the in vitro antiviral efficacy of human recombinant alpha-2b interferon (IFN-α2b) against SARS-CoV-2 virus.Material and methods. The experiments had been carried out on Vero Cl008, the continuous line of African green monkey (Chlorocebus sabaeus) kidney cells. The effectiveness of the drugs was assessed by the suppression of viral reproduction in vitro. The biological activity was determined using titration of a virus-containing suspension in a Vero Cl008 cell culture by the formation of negative colonies.Results. The antiviral efficacy of the IFN-α2b-based medications, which have a high safety profile and proven efficacy in the prevention and treatment of influenza and acute respiratory viral infections (ARVI), has been studied against the new pandemic SARS-CoV-2 virus in vitro experiments in Vero C1008 cell culture. IFN-α2b effectively inhibits the reproduction of the virus when applied both 24 hrs before and 2 hrs after infection. In the IFN-α2b concentration range 102–106 IU/ml a complete suppression of the reproduction of the SARS-CoV-2 virus had been demonstrated.Discussion. IFN-α2b demonstrated in vitro high antiviral activity against SARS-CoV-2. In addition, the substance has a high chemotherapeutic index (>1000).Conclusion. Medications for intranasal use based on IFN-α2b have high antiviral activity and are promising drugs for in vivo study in terms of prevention and treatment of COVID-19.

A review on monoclonal antibodies in COVID-19: Role in immunotherapy, vaccine development and viral detection

The harmful COVID-19 pandemic caused by the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus imposes the scientific community to develop or find conventional curative drugs, protective vaccines, or passive immune strategies rapidly and efficiently. Passive immunity is based on recovering hyper-immune plasma from convalescent patients, or monoclonal antibodies with elevated titer of neutralizing antibodies with high antiviral activity, that have potential for both treatment and prevention. In this review, we focused on researching the potentiality of monoclonal antibodies for the prevention and treatment of COVID-19 infection. Our research review includes antibody-based immunotherapy, using human monoclonal antibodies targeting SARS-CoV-2 viral protein regions, specifically the spike protein regions, and using hyper-immune plasma from convalescent COVID-19 patients, in which monoclonal antibodies act as immunotherapy for the cytokine storm syndrome associated with the covid-19 infection. In addition, we will demonstrate the role of the monoclonal antibodies in the development of candidate vaccines for SARS-CoV-2. Moreover, the recent progress of the diagnostic mouse monoclonal antibodies’ role will be highlighted, as an accurate and rapid diagnostic assay, in the antigen detection of SARS-Cov-2. In brief, the monoclonal antibodies are the potential counter measures that may control SARS-CoV-2, which causes COVID-19 disease, through immunotherapy and vaccine development, as well as viral detection.

High antiviral activity of mercaptoethane sulfonate functionalized Te/BSA nanostars against arterivirus and coronavirus

Mercaptoethane sulfonate functionalised Te/BSA nanostars are prepared and exhibit excellent antiviral activity against arteriviruses and coronaviruses.

ANTIVIRAL, ANTIOXIDANT AND CATALYTIC ACTIVITY OF TRACE ELEMENTS IN A LOW DEGREE OF OXIDATION

The review article studies the role of trace elements in protecting the body from viruses and focuses on the high antiviral activity of trace elements, which they exhibit if they are in a low degree of oxidation. Trace elements in a degree of oxidation make it possible to create new generation of antiseptics safe for humans. Has been discovered the mechanism of antiviral action of trace elements in a low degree of oxidation based on the suppression of electrostatic Coulomb interaction of virus with the cell. Sanitizers of a new generation can become effective prophylactic means for protecting the body from infection COVID-19 due to the fact that a vaccine against the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus is under development, and there are no direct drugs for it. Compositions of substances for pharmaceutical use based on antimicrobial trace elements in a low degree of oxidation, which can be used either directly or as raw materials for production of drugs against the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus, are given. Aqueous solutions of trace element sanitizers are suitable for inhalation and intranasal application and can be used in the form of aerosol or spray for throat and nose or eye drops at the first symptoms of disease, as well as at high risks of infection.

Functionalized nanographene sheets with high antiviral activity through synergistic electrostatic and hydrophobic interactions

Schematic representation of synergistic action of electrostatic interactions of polyglycerol sulfate and conjugated aliphatic chains to the surface of nG-PGS.