Novel Multifunctional Zn-MOF for Synergistic Inhibition of Coronaviruses

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) play a dual role in cellular processes, serving as essential signaling molecules at moderate levels but inducing oxidative stress and cell death in excess. Coronavirus infections significantly elevate intracellular ROS, disrupting cellular antioxidant defenses and promoting viral replication. Given the challenges posed by coronaviruses, including their high pathogenicity and cross-species transmission, new antiviral strategies are urgently needed. This study reports a newly designed zinc-based metal-organic framework (Zn-MOF) material, NJAU1, featuring a 2-fold interpenetrating helical porous structure synthesized through aqueous self-assembly technology. NJAU1 was characterized using advanced analytical techniques and demonstrated broad-spectrum antiviral activity against various coronaviruses, including PEDV, TGEV, and PDCoV. The underlying antiviral mechanisms of NJAU1 involve direct viral particle inactivation, inhibition of viral internalization and replication, ROS scavenging, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities, as well as Zn²⁺-mediated modulation of ferroptosis and apoptosis. This work highlights NJAU1 as a promising multifunctional antiviral material that offers a novel approach to the prevention and treatment of coronavirus infections.