Carvacrol, Cinnamaldehyde, Limonene And Humulene: Virucidal Action Against Sars-Cov-2 And Inhibition Potential Of Pro-Inflammatory Cytokines Related To Covid-19

• Grant number: 22/14062-7
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: February 01, 2023
• End date: July 31, 2024
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Immunology - Cellular Immunology
• Principal Investigator: Rejane Maria Tommasini Grotto
• Grantee: Luidy Carlos de Souza Santos Quispe
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Ciências Agronômicas (FCA). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Botucatu. Botucatu , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Several molecules have been evaluated with regard to antiviral action against SARS-CoV-2 and in the treatment of complications from Covid-19, but to date, there are no drugs of significant efficacy. SARS-CoV-2 infection is still a concern because Covid-19 occasionally leads to severe clinical outcomes. Research aimed at exploring candidate molecules for the development of a drug is of extreme importance against SARS-CoV-2 and the pathological consequences resulting from the action of this virus. Terpenoids are a group of secondary metabolites that have been highlighted for their anti-inflammatory potential and some of these compounds have shown antiviral activity, including proven action against coronaviruses. Therefore, this work aims to evaluate in vitro the action of the terpenoids carvacrol, cinnamaldehyde, limonene and humulene in relation to their antiviral potential and also to verify the influence of these compounds on pro-inflammatory cytokines that are stimulated as a result of infection by SARS-CoV- 2, which lead to the development of severe cases of Covid-19. The terpenoids to be evaluated will be purchased commercially. Molecular interactions between some SARS-CoV-2 viral proteins and terpenoids will be evaluated by surface plasmon resonance. Virucidal activity tests against SARS-CoV-2 will be performed using TCID50 method, quantification of pro-inflammatory cytokines in the supernatant of treated cell cultures, by flow cytometry and cytotoxic activity assays, using resazurin as a colorimetric method. With this work, a progress is expected in the discovery of candidate molecules for drugs development with action against SARS-CoV-2 and the pathological complications of Covid-19.