In-silico drug repurposing for targeting SARS-CoV-2 main protease (M^pro)

COVID-19, caused by novel coronavirus or SARS-CoV-2, is a viral disease which has infected millions worldwide. Considering the urgent need of the drug for fighting against this infectious disease, we have performed in-silico drug repurposing followed by molecular dynamics (MD) simulation and MM-GBSA calculation. The main protease (M^pro) is one of the best-characterized drug targets among coronaviruses, therefore, this was screened for already known FDA approved drugs and some natural compounds. Comparison of docking and MD simulation results of complexes of drugs with that of inhibitor N3 (experimentally obtained) suggests EGCG, withaferin, dolutegravir, artesunate as potential inhibitors of the main protease (M^pro). Further, in silico docking and MD simulation suggest that EGCG analogues ZINC21992196 and ZINC 169337541 may act as a better inhibitor.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.