The University of California San Diego and an international team of researchers are working to stay ahead of treatment-resistant SARS-CoV-2, according to an announcement. To do this, they are looking to old molecules.
For their study, the scientists reviewed 141 “previously synthesized compounds” that had been developed over 15 years (1997-2012). The compounds all inhibited cruzain, an enzyme similar to the one SARS-CoV-2 depends on (Mpro), according to UC San Diego.
Upon synthesizing dubbed compounds 1a and 5a, including a “mirror-image version” of 5a, in their lab, the researchers confirmed their hypothesis that at least one of the anti-cruzain compounds would be efficient against SARS-CoV-2. 5b, the “mirror-image version” of 5a, “demonstrated the strongest inhibition of Mpro, even at extremely low concentrations.”
Additionally, 5a and 5b helped prevent SARS‑CoV and MERS‑CoV from replicating. They also only minimally impacted human enzymes involved in normal cell function.
Further studies will be needed to evaluate the molecules for drug development.
