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Published on: October 29, 2020
A study on the effect of natural products against the transmission of B.1.1.529 Omicron
Samar Sami Alkafaas1, Abanoub Mosaad Abdallah2, Aya Misbah Hussien3
1Molecular Cell Biology Unit, Division of Biochemistry, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Tanta University, Tanta, 31527, Egypt. samar.alkafas@science.tanta.edu.eg.
Background:
The recent outbreak of the Coronavirus pandemic resulted in a successful vaccination program launched by the World Health Organization. However, a large population is still unvaccinated, leading to the emergence of mutated strains like alpha, beta, delta, and B.1.1.529 (Omicron). Recent reports from the World Health Organization raised concerns about the Omicron variant, which emerged in South Africa during a surge in COVID-19 cases in November 2021. Vaccines are not proven completely effective or safe against Omicron, leading to clinical trials for combating infection by the mutated virus. The absence of suitable pharmaceuticals has led scientists and clinicians to search for alternative and supplementary therapies, including dietary patterns, to reduce the effect of mutated strains.
Main Body:
This review analyzed Coronavirus aetiology, epidemiology, and natural products for combating Omicron. Although the literature search did not include keywords related to in silico or computational research, in silico investigations were emphasized in this study. Molecular docking was implemented to compare the interaction between natural products and Chloroquine with the ACE2 receptor protein amino acid residues of Omicron. The global Omicron infection proceeding SARS-CoV-2 vaccination was also elucidated. The docking results suggest that DGCG may bind to the ACE2 receptor three times more effectively than standard chloroquine.
Conclusion:
The emergence of the Omicron variant has highlighted the need for alternative therapies to reduce the impact of mutated strains. The current review suggests that natural products such as DGCG may be effective in binding to the ACE2 receptor and combating the Omicron variant, however, further research is required to validate the results of this study and explore the potential of natural products to mitigate COVID-19.
Insights
Natural compounds like DGCG show promise in combating the Omicron variant by binding to the ACE2 receptor. Further research is needed to validate these findings for potential COVID-19 therapies.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Pharmacology
- Computational Biology
Background:
- The Coronavirus pandemic led to widespread vaccination, but unvaccinated populations remain susceptible to mutated strains like Omicron.
- The Omicron variant, identified in late 2021, poses challenges as current vaccines show limited efficacy and safety.
- The need for alternative and supplementary therapies, including natural products, is critical to manage Omicron infections.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the etiology and epidemiology of Coronavirus, focusing on the Omicron variant.
- To investigate the potential of natural products as therapeutic agents against Omicron.
- To elucidate the role of in silico methods in identifying potential Omicron treatments.
Main Methods:
- Literature review on Coronavirus, Omicron, and natural products.
- In silico molecular docking to assess binding affinity between natural compounds and the Omicron ACE2 receptor.
- Analysis of Omicron infection dynamics in relation to SARS-CoV-2 vaccination.
Main Results:
- In silico analysis indicated that DGCG may bind to the ACE2 receptor more effectively than chloroquine.
- The study explored the interaction of natural products with key amino acid residues of the Omicron ACE2 receptor.
- Global Omicron infection trends post-vaccination were examined.
Conclusions:
- Natural products, specifically DGCG, show potential as therapeutic agents against the Omicron variant.
- Further validation studies are essential to confirm the efficacy of natural products in mitigating COVID-19.
- The findings underscore the importance of exploring natural product-based therapies for emerging viral strains.
