Deciphering the role of fucoidan from brown macroalgae in inhibiting SARS-CoV-2 by targeting its main protease and receptor binding domain: Invitro and insilico approach.

The current study investigated the role of fucoidan from Padina tetrastromatica and Turbinaria conoides against 3-chymotrypsin like protease (3CL ^pro ) and receptor binding domain (RBD) spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 using an invitro and computational approach. The 3CL ^pro and RBD genes were successfully cloned in pET28a vector, expressed in BL-21DE3 E. coli rosetta cells and purified by ion exchange affinity and size exclusion chromatography. Fucoidan extracted from both biomass using green approach, subcritical water, was found to inhibit 3CL ^pro of SARS-CoV-2 with an IC ₅₀ value of up to 0.35 mg mL ^-1 . However, fucoidan was found to be inactive against the RBD protein. Molecular docking studies demonstrated that fucoidan binds to the active sites of 3CL ^pro with an affinity of -5.0 kcal mol ^-1 . In addition, molecular dynamic simulations recorded stabilized interactions of protein-ligand complexes in terms of root mean square deviation, root mean square fluctuation, the radius of gyration, solvent accessible surface area and hydrogen bond interaction. The binding energy of fucoidan with 3CL ^pro was determined to be -101.821 ± 12.966 kJ mol ^-1 using Molecular Mechanic/Poisson-Bolt-Boltzmann Surface Area analysis. Fucoidan satisfies the Absorption, Distribution, Metabolism, and Excretion (ADME) properties, including Lipinski's rule of five, which play an essential role in drug design. According to the toxicity parameters, fucoidan does not exhibit skin sensitivity, hepatotoxicity, or AMES toxicity. Therefore, this work reveals that fucoidan from brown macroalgae could act as possible inhibitors in regulating the function of the 3CL ^pro protein, hence inhibiting viral replication and being effective against COVID-19.
Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest.
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