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Infectious Disorders - Drug Targets

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ISSN (Print): 1871-5265
ISSN (Online): 2212-3989

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Research Article

Repurposing Thalidomide, its Analogue and Apremilast for Possible Antiviral in Situation of Severe COVID Cytokine Syndrome

Author(s): Pugazhenthan Thangaraju*, Sree Sudha Tanguturi Yella, Siva Sanker Reddy Lingareddygari and Kota Sesha Brahma Shree Krishna Sasanka

Volume 22, Issue 8, 2022

Published on: 23 August, 2022

Article ID: e110822207406 Pages: 11

DOI: 10.2174/1871526522666220811114816

Price: $65

Abstract

Background: COVID-19, caused by SARS-corona virus-2, is a globally expanded public health risk at a bizarre level. In this current situation, COVID-19 has become a serious emerging pandemic. Drug reusing is a crucial step in identifying the new uses of old established drugs. To achieve a significant and healthy way of treatment in COVID patients within a short duration, drug repurposing is a novel method.

Objective: The present study concentrated on the molecular docking of thalidomide and its analogues and Apremilast against Coronavirus infectious symptoms, and evaluated virus proteins (Spike Protein, 3cl Protease, Nucleocapsids).

Methods: The present study explores the possibility of repurposing thalidomide for the treatment of SARS-COV-2 infection by assessing and confirming with docking affinity scores of thalidomide and its analogues and Apremilast, with spike protein, 3cl protease, and nucleocapsids.

Results: From the study results, thalidomide, pomalidomide, lenalidomide, and Apremilast exhibited better binding affinity to N Protein (4KXJ), Protease (4WY3) and Spike Protein (5WRG). In comparison to targets, N Protein - 4KXJ is the best for the four ligands. It is finalized that all four ligands (Thalidomide -8.6, Pomalidomide -8.8, Lenalidomide, and -8.2,and Apremilast -8.1) have good docking scores with the target N Protein.

Conclusion: The present study confirms that thalidomide and its analogues and apremilast are a better fit for treating high risk patients of COVID-19 viral infection, which are supposed to promote beneficial effects for both respiratory illnesses like COVID-19 symptoms as well as improve the pathological state of condition.

Keywords: Drug repurposing, COVID-19, thalidomide, lenalidomide, pomalidomide, apremilast, molecular docking studies, virus proteins, spike protein, 3CL protease, nucleocapsids.

Graphical Abstract

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