Ebselen may be Promising Drug for Treatment of New Coornavirus Pneumonia

New research shows that an existing drug called Ebselen has the potential to destroy SARS-CoV-2.
The scientific progress of research published recently in the journal can be used as a new treatment for new coronavirus pneumonia. The study also provides some clues as to which other existing drugs scientists should prioritize when looking for effective treatments.

The sudden appearance and rapid spread of new coronavirus pneumonia has promoted a lot of research on possible treatments and treatments.

SARS-CoV-2 has many similarities with other coronaviruses, such as SARS-CoV, which is the cause of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS). However, according to the authors of this new study, 'Renewed The Use of SARS Drugs May Not Be Effective.'

Treatments are very important because the vaccine for infectious atypical pneumonia, CoV-2, which is the world's greatest hope of limiting spread-may be a few years from now. Although researchers are rapidly developing a vaccine, it is important to find a way to reduce the severity of the new coronary pneumonia or reduce the risk of infection in patients. However, even drug treatments take many years to develop, and researchers need to carefully examine them to ensure that they are safe for general use. Unlike vaccines, existing drugs that scientists have tested and reviewed may be used clinically faster.

Berseren

Preliminary studies indicate that Ebselen may inhibit SARS-CoV-2 enzymes necessary for its replication in host cells. In particular, it inhibits the main protease of the virus, which is known as MPRO. Like all viruses, SARS-CoV-2 spreads through replication and takes over the cells in the host. Inhibition of replication gives the immune system a better chance to fight the virus, which may shorten the duration and severity of new coronavirus pneumonia.

Recent studies have studied Ebselen in more detail to better understand whether it is effective against SARS-CoV-2. This is important because preliminary research to determine promising existing drugs depends on simplification. These simplifications allow scientists to quickly process large databases, but they can create errors.

According to the corresponding research author Juan de Pablo, who is a professor at the Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering at the University of Chicago, Illinois, he said, 'Since a large number of compounds are considered on the high-throughput screen, these calculations must be simplified, and then experiments must be used. And more refined calculations to evaluate the results.'

In the past, doctors used ebselen to help with treatment of bipolar disorder and hearing loss. Research has also shown antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. Therefore, scientists have proven that low tide is safe.

Computer Modeling

In order to study the potential of Ebselen as the basis for the treatment of new coronavirus pneumonia, the researchers created a complex computer model of Ebselen and the main protease MPRO. They found that Ebselen not only inhibits enzymes effectively, but may act in more than one way.

As Professor De Pablo explained, 'In addition to binding at the catalytic site of the enzyme, Ebselen also binds strongly to a remote site, which interferes with the catalytic function of the enzyme through a mechanism. In this mechanism, information is transmitted from one area of ​​a macro-molecule to another area away from it through subtle structural reorganization.'

This is good news about the potential use of Ebselen for COVID-19, but it also outlines another weakness in the virus that scientists may remember when looking for other drug candidates. Although this work is promising, researchers still need to conduct more research to determine whether Ebselen is effective and make it to the extent that doctors can use it in practice. Crucially, recent studies have only shown the potential effectiveness of this drug; outside the laboratory, real-world tests are needed to verify whether this finding is true.

The authors of this study plan to continue searching for the weaknesses of SARS-CoV-2.

Professor De Pablo said, 'The main protease is one of the many proteins in the virus, which can be targeted with existing, reused drugs, and there are thousands of compounds to consider.'

'We are systematically studying every protein related to the function of the virus, and studying their vulnerability and their response to multiple drugs.'