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Abstract

Globally, novel coronavirus (nCoV19) outbreak is a great concern to humanity owing to the unavailability of effective medication or vaccine to date. Therefore, the development of drugs having anti-COVID-19 potential is a need of time. In this milieu, in-silico studies have proven to be rapid, inexpensive and effective as compared to other experimental studies. Evidently, natural products have shown significant potential in drug development to curtail different ailments, which have opened a new horizon in the screening of anti-COVID-19 agents. In this study, in-silico analysis were performed on derivatives of amentoflavone (4^′, 4^′′′-Dimethylamentoflavone, 4^′′′, 7-Di-O-Methylamentoflavone, 4^{′′′′′′}-methylamentoflavone, 4^′-Monomethylamentoflavone, 7,4^′-Dimethylamentoflavone, 7^′-O-Methylamentoflavone, 7-O-methylamentoflavone, Heveaflavone, kayaflavone, and Sciadopitysin) and FDA approved anti-viral drug (camostatmesylate). All the derivatives of amentoflavone and FDA-approved anti-viral drugs were docked against SARS-CoV2 main protease (MPRO). The ten derivatives of amentoflavone showed strong interactions with the MPRO protein. In all cases, derivatives of amentoflavone showed good interaction with the targeted protein and better binding/docking score (–9.0351, –8.8566, –8.8509, –8.7746, –8.6192, –8.2537, –8.0876, –7.9501, –7.6429, and –7.6248 respectively) than FDA approved anti-viral drug. Therefore, derivatives of amentoflavone may be potent leads in drug discovery to combat HCoVs, such as SARS-CoV2. Moreover, to support the outcomes of this study further in-vivo investigations are required.

Keywords

COVID-19 Derivatives of amentoflavone Molecular docking ADME pKCSM

List of abbreviation

ABL1

Abelson murine leukemia viral oncogene homolog 1

BLAST

Basic Local Alignment Search Tool

Calcineurin–NFAT

Calcineurin nuclear; factor of activated T-cells

COVID-19

Coronavirus disease 2019

3CL^PRO

3-chymotrypsin-like protease

HIV

Human immunodeficiency virus

hACE2R

Human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 receptor

NCBI

National Center for Biotechnology Information

RdRp

RNA-dependent RNA polymerase

RSV

Respiratory syncytial virus

TMPRSS-2

Transmembrane protease serine 2

PL^PRO

Papain-like protease

SAM

S-adenosyl methionine

SARS-CoV

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus

1 Introduction

In December 2019 world faced a disaster SARS-CoV-2. The SARS-CoV-2 (also called the novel coronavirus 2019 or nCoV-19) belongs to the Betacorona virus genus similar to SARS HCoV and MERS HCoV [1 –3]. TheHCoV-2 s are positive-sense with a length of 30,000 bp and single-stranded RNA viruses. Two groups of proteins characterized in HCoVs are (i) Structural proteins (e.g., Spike (S), Envelope (E), Matrix (M), & Nucleocapsid (N)), and (ii) Non-structural proteins (e.g., RdRp (RNA-dependent RNA polymerase), PL^PRO (Papain-like protease), & 3CL^PRO (Proteases 3-chymotrypsin-like protease) [3]. The CoVpolyprotein encodes two proteases, which share in its processing and release of the translated non-structural proteins (nsps), the main protease is called 3-chymotrypsin-like protease (e.g., M^PROor 3CL^PRO) and PL^PRO [4]. Viral attachment and entry within the host cell is due to presence of S protein on the outer surface of virion [5]. In a non-randomized clinical trial, synergistic use of hydroxychloroquine and azithromycin was recommended to minimize the effect of COVID-19. Other than this, various other methods including used of antiviral drugs and plasma have been used by clinicians [6, 7].

Evidently, plant-derived natural phytomolecules are thought to be potent source of drug leads of interest and may open a new horizon for drug discovery process [8]. Amentoflavone, a bioflavonoid in nature, is extremely found all over the world [9]. It’s a complex compound where two apigenin structurally are bound with each other by C3^′-C8^′′ linkage [10]. Literature have shown that amentoflavone possesses various pharmacological properties such as anti-diabetic, antioxidant, neuroprotective, antitumor, antivirus, antifungal, cardio-protective, antiinflammatory, antibacterial, anti-senescence, etc. [11 –20]. Results of numerous studies have suggested that amentoflavone possess antiviral potential against dengue, herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), Coxsackievirus B3 (CVB3), respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and acyclovir (ACV)-resistant strains (e.g., HSV-1/106, HSV-1/153, and HSV-1/Blue) [17 , 21–24].

Amentoflavone has several (10) derivatives such as 4^′,4^′′′-Dimethylamentoflavone, 4^′′′,7-Di-O-Methylamentoflavone, 4^{′′′′′′}-methylamentoflavone, 4^′-Monomethylamentoflavone, 7,4^′-Dimethylamentoflavone, 7^′-O-Methylamentoflavone, 7-O-methylamentoflavone, Heveaflavone, kayaflavone, and Sciadopitysin (Fig. 1) [25]. According to a study, amentoflavonehave shown inhibitory potential (IC50:8.3μM) against SARS-CoV [26], probably due to inhibition of 3CL^PRO (3-chymotrypsin-like protease), 3CL^PRO has proven to be a valuable target and acquired significant importance in drug design of SARS-CoVs. It is also termed as ‘the Achilles’ or ‘heel of coronaviruses [27, 28].

Fig. 1

The chemical structure of derivatives of amentoflavone.

There are several strategies for the development of new drugs having anti-CoVs potential. Among all, the most focused strategies are: (a) blocking the cellular attachment of the virus with the host cells, and (b) inhibiting the transcription &replication of the virus. Therefore, M^PRO (CoV main protease) having vital role in mediation of viral replication & transcription have attained interest of scientist in designing anti-SARS drugs [29 –32]. Molecular docking is considered an efficient approach in screening potentially active components against specific target proteins, such as M^PRO. Therefore, M^PRO is an important target in the design of potential anti-CoV-2 inhibitors. Keeping in view the current situation of SARS-CoV-2 and antiviral properties of amentoflavone and its derivatives, this study shows the in silico analysis of amentoflavone derivatives against SARS-CoV-2 main protease (M^PRO).Pharmacokinetic properties of amentoflavone and its derivatives were predicted using pkCSM (https://biosig.unimelb.edu.au/pkcsm/) and Swiss ADME (https://www.swissadme.ch) online software’s.

2 Materials and Methods

2.1 Proteins/Macromolecule preparation

The three-dimensional structure of SARS-CoV2 main protease (M^PRO, 3CLpro) with (PDB accession ID: 6LU7) was retrieved from Protein Data Bank (https://www.rcsb.org/). Worldwide, protein Data bank is a trusted source for the three-dimensional crystal enzyme structure of biological macromolecules [33]. The crystal structures were prepared by removing water molecule and steric clashes. Subsequently the minimized structure was used for further analysis.

2.2 Ligand preparation

The chemical structure of amentoflavone’s derivatives and antiviral drug (e.g. Camostatmesylate, PubChem ID: 5284360) (Fig. 2), were obtained from the PubChem repository sample) in the ‘sdf’ file format. Chem3D Pro12.0 program packages was used for optimization of all internal energies of the ligands [34]. The Smiles structure of these compounds were also calculated by using ChemDraw (Table S1).

Fig. 2

The chemical structures of amentoflavone’s derivatives and FDA-approved anti-viral drugs.

2.3 Docking analysis and binding site

Molecular docking analysis have played a significant role in predicting and verifying the binding modes and interaction poses of ligands within the binding pocket of target proteins. MOE-dock module implemented in the Molecular Operating Environment (MOE) software package [35] was employed for the docking of all the amentoflavone derivatives and FDA approved anti-viral drug against the SARS-CoV-2 main protease (M^PRO) protein. The 3D-structure of main protease (M^PRO) of SARS-CoV2 (PDB ID: 6LU7) present in Protein Data Bank was used in this study (https://www.rcsb.org/). The protease crystal structure co-crystallized with an engineered peptide inhibitor (N3) having excellent resolution (2.16 Å) comprised of 306 residues length chain [36]. All the solvent molecules were removed prior to molecular docking followed by 3D protonation. In order to get the minimal stable energy conformation, energy was minimized to 0.05 Gradient via MMFF94 s force field implemented in MOE. The 3D structural coordinates for all amentoflavone derivatives and anti-viral drug were built using Molecular Builder Module in MOE. By using the default parameter of MOE, energy of all the compounds were minimized, and all 3D coordinated of the compounds were protonated. Finally, refined target protein (M^PRO) structures were used for docking study using the default parameters of MOE. For each of the compounds, total 10 conformations were allowed to be form. Later, the compounds were ranked based on docking score and protein-ligand interaction profile. Further, PyMol was used for molecular interactions of predicted protein–ligand interaction (PLI).

2.4 Pharmacokinetic properties analysis

pkCSM and Swiss ADME online software were used for prediction of pharmacokinetic properties of these ten (10) derivatives of amentoflavone [37, 38]. The absorption, distribution, metabolism excretion, and toxicity parameters of these ten derivatives were mainly analyzed. The website was logged, on and the SMILES of the derivatives of amentoflavone data from PubChem were searched and submitted to the website, ADMET mode in pkCSM, [38] and ADME mode in Swiss-ADME was selected [37]. pkCSM is one the latest methodology that is used extensively for predicting and optimizing toxicity and pharmaco-kinetic perspectives relying on distance based graphical signatures [38, 39]. SwissADME is a freely available online tool, which is being employed for prediction of ADME parameters and drug-likeness [37, 40].

3 Results

3.1 Interaction with the M^PRO

Insight into the binding mode of the amentoflavon derivatives, and FDA approved anti-viral drug within the active site of SARS-CoV-2 main protease (M^PRO) molecular docking analysis were performed using X-ray crystal structure of SARS-CoV-2 (M^PRO) (PDB ID: 6LU7) with an excellent resolution of 2.16 Å. The molecular docking results of the amentoflavon derivatives compounds with the (M^PRO) enzyme provide substantial information regarding nature of binding mode, which significantly correlates with the experimental results. It is evident from docking analysis that all the derivatives of amentoflavon showed appropriate orientation towards catalytic residues revealing significant interactions with the catalytic site residues of the target enzymes. The post-molecular docking analysis indicate the importance of the amentoflavon derivatives compounds, that strongly interact with the target enzyme and block the enzymatic activity of SARS-CoV (M^PRO). Analysis revealed significant results indicating that selected amentoflavon derivatives have inhibitory effect on SARS-CoV-2 (M^PRO). The 10 selected amentoflavon derivatives C1 (4^′,4^′-Dimethylamentoflavone, 4^′), C2 (7-Di-O-Methylamentoflavone), C3 (4^′-methylamentoflavone), C4 (4^′-Monomethylamentoflavone), C5 (7,4^′-Dimethylamentoflavone), C6 (7^′-O-Methylamentoflavone), C7 (7-O-methylamentoflavone), C8 (Heveaflavone), C9 (kayaflavone), and C10(Sciadopitysin) were docked with SARS-CoV-2 (M^PRO) along with theFDA approved anti-viral drug C11 (camostatmesylate) to compare the results. Table 1 demonstrates the results of molecular docking study.

Table 1
Interaction Details, Docking Score, distance, and Binding Energy, of the Compounds docked in the Active Site of M^PRO (SARS-CoV-2 main protease)

S.No Interaction details Docking score

Ligands Receptor Interaction Distance E Kcal/mol

1 C 24 OE1 GLN 189 (A) H-donor 3.27 –0.6 –8.7746

C 31 5-ring HIS 41 (A) H-pi 3.71 –1.4

6-ring CB GLU 166 (A) pi-H 3.50 –0.6

2 O 19 NE2 HIS 41 (A) H-acceptor 3.23 –0.8 –7.6429

6-ring CA ASN 142 (A) pi-H 4.28 –0.6

6-ring N GLY 143 (A) pi-H 3.60 –0.6

3 C 28 OE1 GLN 189 (A) H-donor 3.26 –0.7 –8.2537

O 9 N GLY 143 (A) H-acceptor 3.00 –0.8

O 20 OG SER 46 (A) H-acceptor 2.81 –0.6

C 35 5-ring HIS 41 (A) H-pi 3.70 –1.3

6-ring CB GLU 166 (A) pi-H 3.58 –0.5

4 C 27 OE1 GLN 189 (A) H-donor 3.26 –0.7 –8.8509

O 9 N GLY 143 (A) H-acceptor 3.02 –0.8

O 19 OG SER 46 (A) H-acceptor 2.80 –0.5

C 34 5-ring HIS 41 (A) H-pi 3.71 –1.3

6-ring CB GLU 166 (A) pi-H 3.61 –0.6

5 O 17 OE2 GLU 166 (A) H-donor 2.79 –0.8 –7.6248

C 40 SD MET 49 (A) H-donor 3.77 –0.5

C 3 5-ring HIS 41 (A) H-pi 4.24 –1.2

6-ring CA GLN 189 (A) pi-H 3.74 –0.5

6 O 18 OE2 GLU 166 (A) H-donor 2.76 –0.7 –8.8566

O 19 SG CYS 145 (A) H-donor 3.74 –0.8

O 40 SD MET 49 (A) H-donor 3.64 –0.6

O 19 NE2 HIS 163 (A) H-acceptor 2.89 –2.3

7 C 27 OE1 GLN 189 (A) H-donor 3.28 –0.7 –7.9501

O 9 N GLY 143 (A) H-acceptor 3.01 –0.8

O 19 OG SER 46 (A) H-acceptor 2.82 –0.6

C 34 5-ring HIS 41 (A) H-pi 3.66 –1.5

6-ring CB GLU 166 (A) pi-H 3.57 –0.5

8 C 27 OE1 GLN 189 (A) H-donor 3.24 –0.7 –8.6192

O 9 N GLY 143 (A) H-acceptor 2.96 –0.9

O 19 OG SER 46 (A) H-acceptor 2.82 –0.5

C 33 5-ring HIS 41 (A) H-pi 3.72 –1.4

9 C 27 OE1 GLN 189 (A) H-donor 3.25 –0.7 –9.0351

O 9 N GLY 143 (A) H-acceptor 2.98 –0.9

O 19 OG SER 46 (A) H-acceptor 2.81 –0.5

C 33 5-ring HIS 41 (A) H-pi 3.73 –1.3

6-ring CB GLU 166 (A) pi-H 3.65 –0.5

10 O 37 O THR 190 (A) H-donor 3.02 –0.7 –8.0876

O 18 CA ASN 142 (A) H-acceptor 3.32 –0.6

O 18 N GLY 143 (A) H-acceptor 3.09 –2.5

11 N 9 SD MET 165 (A) H-donor 3.69 –0.6 –7.3965

O 25 N GLY 143 (A) H-acceptor 3.04 –0.8

6-ring CG GLN 189 (A) pi-H 3.59 –0.7

S.No	Interaction details	Docking score
1	C	24	OE1	GLN	189	(A)	H-donor	3.27	–0.6	–8.7746
	C	31	5-ring	HIS	41	(A)	H-pi	3.71	–1.4
	6-ring	CB	GLU	166	(A)	pi-H	3.50	–0.6
2	O	19	NE2	HIS	41	(A)	H-acceptor	3.23	–0.8	–7.6429
	6-ring	CA	ASN	142	(A)	pi-H	4.28	–0.6
	6-ring	N	GLY	143	(A)	pi-H	3.60	–0.6
3	C	28	OE1	GLN	189	(A)	H-donor	3.26	–0.7	–8.2537
	O	9	N	GLY	143	(A)	H-acceptor	3.00	–0.8
	O	20	OG	SER	46	(A)	H-acceptor	2.81	–0.6
	C	35	5-ring	HIS	41	(A)	H-pi	3.70	–1.3
	6-ring	CB	GLU	166	(A)	pi-H	3.58	–0.5
4	C	27	OE1	GLN	189	(A)	H-donor	3.26	–0.7	–8.8509
	O	9	N	GLY	143	(A)	H-acceptor	3.02	–0.8
	O	19	OG	SER	46	(A)	H-acceptor	2.80	–0.5
	C	34	5-ring	HIS	41	(A)	H-pi	3.71	–1.3
	6-ring	CB	GLU	166	(A)	pi-H	3.61	–0.6
5	O	17	OE2	GLU	166	(A)	H-donor	2.79	–0.8	–7.6248
	C	40	SD	MET	49	(A)	H-donor	3.77	–0.5
	C	3	5-ring	HIS	41	(A)	H-pi	4.24	–1.2
	6-ring	CA	GLN	189	(A)	pi-H	3.74	–0.5
6	O	18	OE2	GLU	166	(A)	H-donor	2.76	–0.7	–8.8566
	O	19	SG	CYS	145	(A)	H-donor	3.74	–0.8
	O	40	SD	MET	49	(A)	H-donor	3.64	–0.6
	O	19	NE2	HIS	163	(A)	H-acceptor	2.89	–2.3
7	C	27	OE1	GLN	189	(A)	H-donor	3.28	–0.7	–7.9501
	O	9	N	GLY	143	(A)	H-acceptor	3.01	–0.8
	O	19	OG	SER	46	(A)	H-acceptor	2.82	–0.6
	C	34	5-ring	HIS	41	(A)	H-pi	3.66	–1.5
	6-ring	CB	GLU	166	(A)	pi-H	3.57	–0.5
8	C	27	OE1	GLN	189	(A)	H-donor	3.24	–0.7	–8.6192
	O	9	N	GLY	143	(A)	H-acceptor	2.96	–0.9
	O	19	OG	SER	46	(A)	H-acceptor	2.82	–0.5
	C	33	5-ring	HIS	41	(A)	H-pi	3.72	–1.4
9	C	27	OE1	GLN	189	(A)	H-donor	3.25	–0.7	–9.0351
	O	9	N	GLY	143	(A)	H-acceptor	2.98	–0.9
	O	19	OG	SER	46	(A)	H-acceptor	2.81	–0.5
	C	33	5-ring	HIS	41	(A)	H-pi	3.73	–1.3
	6-ring	CB	GLU	166	(A)	pi-H	3.65	–0.5
10	O	37	O	THR	190	(A)	H-donor	3.02	–0.7	–8.0876
	O	18	CA	ASN	142	(A)	H-acceptor	3.32	–0.6
	O	18	N	GLY	143	(A)	H-acceptor	3.09	–2.5
11	N	9	SD	MET	165	(A)	H-donor	3.69	–0.6	–7.3965
	O	25	N	GLY	143	(A)	H-acceptor	3.04	–0.8
	6-ring	CG	GLN	189	(A)	pi-H	3.59	–0.7

In the present study, inhibition potential of amentoflavon derivatives, ranked by docking score (S) were in the order of Amentoflavone C9 (–9.0351) > C6 (–8.8566), C4 (–8.8509) > C1 (–8.7746) > C8 (–8.6192) > C3 (–8.2537) > C10 (–8.0876) > C7 (–7.9501) > C2 (–7.6429), and C5 (–7.6248). The amentoflavon plant extract, which are potent inhibitor of COVID-19 M^pro, can inhibit multiple steps of the virus replication cycle. All the resulting compounds showed consistent protein-ligand interactions with the amino acid residues of the active site domains of M^pro. Analysis of the predicted binding conformations of our most potent compound 9 revealed that C9 fits straight into the binding cavity of M^pro (Fig. 3A). Visually inspecting the best binding position for C9 showed that it is able to form hydrogen bond interaction with backbone (O) of G143 (2.98 Å), sidechain (O) of S46 (2.81Å), and with (C) of Q189 (3.25Å), while forming H-pi bond with H41 (3.73 Å), and pi-H bond with E166 (3.65Å). Similarly, in case of C6, we noticed different interaction with the target protein, including 3 H-donor interaction with sidechain (O) of E166 (2.76Å), C145 (3.74Å), M49 (3.64Å), and H-acceptor with sidechain (O) of H163 (2.89Å) (Fig. 3B). Comparatively the molecular docking analysis demonstrate, that C4, C1, C8, C3, C7, and C5 amentoflavon derivatives exhibited consistent (PLI) profile with target protein (M^pro) as in case of C9 but not with all resultant residues as shown in (Fig. 3C-G). On the other hand it was also observed that C10 and C2 forming different pattern of PLI, such as C10 form strong H-donor interaction with sidechain (O) of T190 (3.02Å), and 2 H-acceptor with sidechain (O) of N142 (3.32Å), and G143 (3.09Å) (Fig. 3 G, 3I). The overall summary of the molecular docking analysis revealed that amentoflavone derivatives strongly bind with the catalytic residues of M^pro as compared to the FDA approved anti-viral drug. Hence, based on the results of these in-silico studies, further in-vitro and in-vivo studies must be planned to validate the effectiveness of these compounds as potential inhibitors of SARS-CoV–2 M^pro.

Fig. 3

Protein–ligand Interaction (PLI) profile of the amentoflavone derivatives against SARS-CoV–2 M^pro. Figure (1A-1J) Indicates PLI profile for the amentoflavone derivatives, C9 (3A), C6 (3B), C4 (3C), C1 (3D), C8 (3E), C3 (3F), C10 (3G), C7 (3H), C2 (3I), and C5 (3G). Double-sided arrows in black color represent theH-pi interaction, while red color double arrow represent pi-H interaction.

3.2 Pharmacokinetic properties analysis

For the analysis and optimization of pharmacokinetic properties, the pkCSM and Swiss ADME approach confer a platform. Here, the molecular weight of The derivatives of amentoflavone such as 4^′,4^′′′-Dimethylamentoflavone, 4^′′′,7-Di-O-Methylamentoflavone, 4^{′′′′′′}-methylamentoflavone, 4^′-Monomethylamentoflavone, 7,4^′-Dimethylamentoflavone,7-O-methylamentoflavone, Heveaflavone, kayaflavone, and Sciadopitysin are 566.518, 566.518, 552.491, 552.48, 566.51, 552.48, 552.491, 580.545, 580.545, 580.54 gm/mol, respectively. All the compounds have the same no. of Lipinski rule violation (1), have no AMES toxicity, and same bioavailability score (0.55).

Three amentoflavone derivatives (4^′,4^′′′-Dimethylamentoflavone, 4^′′′,7-Di-O-Methylamentoflavone, and 7,4^′-Dimethylamentoflavone) have the same topological polar surface area are 159.80 Å². The other four derivatives of amentoflavone (4^{′′′′′′}-methylamentoflavone, 4^′-Monomethylamentoflavone, 7-O-methylamentoflavone, and 7-O-methylamentoflavone) also contain the same topological polar surface area are 170.80 Å². Besides this, Heveaflavone, kayaflavone, and Sciadopitysin have a topological polar surface area such as 148.80 Å².

In pKCSM, some of the amentoflavone derivatives (4^′,4^′′′-Dimethylamentoflavone, 4^′′′,7-Di-O-Methylamentoflavone, Heveaflavone, kayaflavone, and Sciadopitysin) have been shown hepatotoxicity, but some (7,4^′-Dimethylamentoflavone, 4^{′′′′′′}-methylamentoflavone, 4^′-Monomethylamentoflavone,7-O-methylamentoflavone, and 7-O-methylamentoflavone) don’t have any hepatotoxicity. Furthermore, oral rat acute toxicity (LD₅₀) for all the derivatives of amentoflavone ranged between 2.535–3.06 and the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) for human ranged 0.295 to 0.437(log mg/kg/day). Additionally, the total clearance (TC) in the range between 0.571–0.833 (log ml/min/kg), and predicted octanol/water partition coefficient (LogP) were in the range of 5.3886 to 6.043 for all derivatives. Table 2 shows the pharmacokinetic properties of Amentoflavone derivatives predicted by Swiss ADME and pkCSM.

Table 2
Pharmacokinetic properties of Amentoflavone derivatives predicted by Swiss ADME and pkCSM

Compounds MW (g/mol) H-Ac H-Do N.rot TPSA (Å²) LogP B.S LD50 HT AT MTD (log NLV TC (log

mg/kg/day) ml/min/kg)

4^′,4^′′′-Dimethylamentoflavone 566.51 10 4 5 159.80 5.74 0.55 2.723 Yes No 0.43 1 0.710

4^′′′,7-Di-O-Methylamentoflavone 566.51 10 4 5 159.80 5.74 0.55 2.854 Yes No 0.423 1 0.723

4^{′′′′′′}-methylamentoflavone 552.49 10 5 4 170.80 5.3886 0.55 2.96 No No 0.295 1 0.619

4^′-Monomethylamentoflavone 552.48 10 5 4 170.80 5.437 0.55 2.56 No No 0.437 1 0.571

7,4^′-Dimethylamentoflavone 566.51 10 4 5 159.80 5.74 0.55 2.733 No No 0.427 1 0.646

7^′-O-Methylamentoflavone 552.48 10 5 4 170.80 5.437 0.55 2.548 No No 0.436 1 0.617

7-O-methylamentoflavone 552.49 10 5 4 170.80 5.437 0.55 2.535 No No 0.437 1 0.488

Heveaflavone 580.54 10 3 6 148.80 6.043 0.55 2.997 Yes No 0.412 1 0.791

Kayaflavone 580.54 10 3 6 148.80 6.043 0.55 2.84 Yes No 0.419 1 0.794

Sciadopitysin 580.54 10 3 6 148.80 6.043 0.55 3.06 Yes No 0.419 1 0.833

Compounds	MW (g/mol)	H-Ac	H-Do	N.rot	TPSA (Å²)	LogP	B.S	LD50	HT	AT	MTD (log	NLV	TC (log
4^′,4^′′′-Dimethylamentoflavone	566.51	10	4	5	159.80	5.74	0.55	2.723	Yes	No	0.43	1	0.710
4^′′′,7-Di-O-Methylamentoflavone	566.51	10	4	5	159.80	5.74	0.55	2.854	Yes	No	0.423	1	0.723
4^{′′′′′′}-methylamentoflavone	552.49	10	5	4	170.80	5.3886	0.55	2.96	No	No	0.295	1	0.619
4^′-Monomethylamentoflavone	552.48	10	5	4	170.80	5.437	0.55	2.56	No	No	0.437	1	0.571
7,4^′-Dimethylamentoflavone	566.51	10	4	5	159.80	5.74	0.55	2.733	No	No	0.427	1	0.646
7^′-O-Methylamentoflavone	552.48	10	5	4	170.80	5.437	0.55	2.548	No	No	0.436	1	0.617
7-O-methylamentoflavone	552.49	10	5	4	170.80	5.437	0.55	2.535	No	No	0.437	1	0.488
Heveaflavone	580.54	10	3	6	148.80	6.043	0.55	2.997	Yes	No	0.412	1	0.791
Kayaflavone	580.54	10	3	6	148.80	6.043	0.55	2.84	Yes	No	0.419	1	0.794
Sciadopitysin	580.54	10	3	6	148.80	6.043	0.55	3.06	Yes	No	0.419	1	0.833

MW: molecular weight; HT: hepatotoxicity; H-Ac: number of hydrogen bond acceptor; AT: AMES toxicity; H-Do: number of hydrogen bond donors; N.rot: numberof rotatable bonds; B.S: Bioavailability Score; LD50: oral rat acute toxicity; MTD: the maximum tolerated dose for human; NLV: number of Lipinski rule violation;LogP: predicted octanol/water partition coefficient; TC, Total clearance;TPSA: topological polar surface area (Å²).

4 Discussion

COVID-19 is now a pandemic [41]. Scientists worldwide are working hard to discover and design novel agents having inhibitory potentials. Many anti-viral drugs like Camostat mesylate, Ritonavir, Remdesivir, Lopinavir, and Indinavir, are being studied in clinical trials to validate their anti-Coronavirus effect [42]. Azithromycin and hydroxychloroquine are used to cure affected patients in case of emergency and are published as potential SARS-CoV-2inhibitors [43 –45]. All the above stated drugs may be SARS-CoV-2inhibitors but side-effects associated with their use have also been shared. Therefore, it is need of the time to search and discover alternative anti-SARS-CoV-2 agents having no or less side effects and significant inhibitory potential.

Keeping in view the current pandemic situation and unavailability of effective anti-SARS-CoV-2 agents that are safe, natural compounds present in plants and animals and their associated derivatives must be studied in different in-silico, in-vitro and in-vivo studies to find potent lead compound in combating nCoV-19 infections [46]. The derivatives of amentoflavone (biflavonoid) were isolated by Okigawa et al. [9] and have acquired attention of scientists owing to biological activities associated with it.

For preparing an ideal anti-COVID-19 drug, a compound must have four basic criteria: (i) restricting the entry of virus by inhibition of cellular attachment; (ii) inhibiting replication of virus within the host cells; (iii) cytotoxic potential on the prevailing virus; and (iv) protecting the host normal cells against viral originated inflammatory responses and oxidative stress. Evidently, amentoflavone possess antiviral potential via all the above-mentioned pathways. Moreover, it has antioxidant [47, 48], and anti-inflammatory [11 , 50], activities. Besides, the derivative of amentoflavone also has antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties [51]. The M^PRO should have the ability to break host polyproteins and induce the formation of protein for viral replication [52]. Amentoflavone has interaction capability with M^PRO [22]. So, it should possible, derivatives of amentoflavone can bind with M^PRO. Therefore, derivatives of amentoflavone can inhibit viral infection.

Derivatives of amentoflavone such as 4^′,4^′′′-Dimethylamentoflavone, 4^′′′,7-Di-O-Methylament-oflavone, 4^{′′′′′′}-methylamentoflavone, 4^′-Monomethylamentoflavone, 7,4^′-Dimethylamentoflavone, 7^′-O-Methylamentoflavone, 7-O-methylamentoflavone, Heveaflavone, kayaflavone, and Sciadopitysin displayed a greater docking score and strong binding interaction with COVID-19 main protease (M^PRO) –8.7746, –7.6429, –8.2537, –8.8509, –7.6248, –8.8566, –7.9501, –8.6192, –9.0351, and –8.0876 respectively, as compare to Ritonavir, Lopinavir, and Remdesivir. Furthermore, some flavonoids and polyphenolic plant-derived compounds such as kaempferol, quercetin, demethoxycurcumin, curcumin, catechin, epicatechingallate, and gingerol are investigated to have potent inhibitory properties against main protease of SARS-CoV-2 [8], which claimed that the derivative of amentoflavone has better properties than other proposed inhibitors. Many standard drugs such as Ritonavir, Lopinavir, and Remdesivir displayed a binding affinity with M^PRO protein, and derivatives of amentoflavone showed good to moderate binding affinities with M^PRO protein through so many same active sites (Table 1).

From the pharmacokinetic properties (predicted) of the selected compounds by Swiss ADME and pkCSM (Table 2), it has been seen that amentoflavone derivatives are safe and may be used as a potent anti-COVID-19 drug as predicted by the website. More research is required concerning the toxicogenic studies of natural metabolites in plant based and/or animal models. Even tough further in-vivo instigations are required authenticate the findings of current study, nevertheless results of our study will provide a baseline information for planning further studies (pre-clinical & clinical) on these compounds. Conclusively, outcomes of this study may inspire researchers in the field of drug design to perform in depth studies on these potent natural compounds.

5 Conclusions

4^′,4^′′′-Dimethylamentoflavone, 4^′′′,7-Di-O-Methylamentoflavone, 4^{′′′′′′}-methylamentoflavone, 4^′-Monomethylamentoflavone, 7,4^′-Dimethylamentoflavone, 7^′-O-Methylamentoflavone, 7-O-methyla-mentoflavone, Heveaflavone, kayaflavone, and Sciadopitysin are the derivatives of amentoflavone (biflavonoid) those have antiviral activity in several viruses. Derivatives of amentoflavone does have a good interaction with target protein, according to this molecular docking. The docking socresshown by amentoflavone derivatives were also higher than those found in clinical trial antiviral drugs (Camostatmesylate), which are widely used in several countries to treat COVID-19. Aside from that, pharmacokinetics studies reveal positive results when compared to Camostatmesylate. Amentoflavone derivatives can be envisioned as possible lead compounds against SARS-CoV-2 infection based on the findings of this report. While further in vivo testing is needed to confirm the results presented here, our findings will aid future nonclinical, preclinical, and clinical studies with these compounds, while also inspiring medicinal chemistry scientists to perform appropriate study on this promising natural lead compound and its derivatives.

Data Availability

The data such as source file associated to docking study are available from corresponding author upon request.

Conflicts of interest

Authors declare no potential conflict of interest.

Authors Contributions

Rajib Hossain, Shafi Mahmud, Abul Bashar Ripon Khalipha, Abu Saim Mohammad Saikat, involve in Conceptualization, Dipta Dey, Rasel Ahmed Khan, Abdur Rauf, Abdul Wadood involved in validation, investigation while Humaria Rafique, Sami Bawazeer, Anees Ahmed Khalil, Zainab M. Almarhoon, Yahia N. Mabkhot, Muhammad Torequl Islam and Haroon Khan involve in validation, investigation, data curation and manuscript writing. All authors read and approved the final version of the manuscript.

Supporting information

All data related to this paper is included in the text.

Footnotes

Acknowledgments

We are very much thankful to the International Centre for Empirical Research and Development (ICERD), Bangladesh. The authors would like to thank the Deanship of Scientific Research at Umm Al-Qura University for supporting this work by Grant Code: 22UQU4350073DSR16. We also thanked Dr. Ajmal, University of Nizwa, Oman for providing technical support for the in-silico study.

The Supplementary is available in the electronic version of this article: .

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Amentoflavone derivatives against SARS-CoV-2 main protease (M PRO ): An in silico study

Abstract

Keywords

List of abbreviation

1 Introduction

2.1 Proteins/Macromolecule preparation

2.2 Ligand preparation

2.4 Pharmacokinetic properties analysis

3 Results

3.1 Interaction with the MPRO

5 Conclusions

Data Availability

Conflicts of interest

Authors Contributions

Supporting information

Footnotes

Acknowledgments

References

3.1 Interaction with the M^PRO