Potential role of nicotinamide analogues against SARS-COV-2 target proteins

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) is caused by ‘severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2′ (SARS-CoV-2), first reported in Wuhan, China in December 2019, which eventually became a global disaster. Various key mediators have been reported in the pathogenesis of COVID-19. However, no effective pharmacological intervention has been available to combat COVID-19 complications. The present study screens nicotinamide riboside (NR) and nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) as potential inhibitors of this present generation coronavirus infection using an in-silico approach. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The SARS-CoV-2 proteins (nucleocapsid, proteases, post-fusion core, phosphatase, endoriboruclease) and ACE-2 protein were selected. The 2D structure of nicotinamide ribonucleoside and nicotinamide ribonucleotide was drawn using ChemDraw 14.0 and saved in .cdx format. The results were analyzed using two parameters: full fitness energy and binding free energy (ΔG). RESULTS: The full fitness energy and estimated ΔG values from docking of NM, and NMN with selected SARS-CoV-2 target proteins, ADMET prediction and Target prediction indicate the interaction of NR and NMN in the treatment of COVID-19. CONCLUSIONS: Based on full fitness energy and estimated ΔG values from docking studies of NM and NAM with selected SARS-CoV-2 target proteins, ADME prediction, target prediction and toxicity prediction, we expect a possible therapeutic efficacy of NR in the treatment of COVID-19.