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Bridging predictions with experimental reality: In vitro evaluation of phenolic natural products as SARS-CoV-2 exoribonuclease inhibitors - 11/11/25

Doi : 10.1016/j.biopha.2025.118588 
Matěj Danda a, , Barbora Chvátalová a, Daniela Nečasová a, Ivana Křížová a, Tomáš Ruml b, Michaela Rumlová a,
a Department of Biotechnology, University of Chemistry and Technology, Prague, Technická 5, Prague 6 166 28, Czech Republic 
b Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, University of Chemistry and Technology, Prague, Technická 5, Prague 6 166 28, Czech Republic 

Corresponding authors.

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Abstract

SARS-CoV-2 exoribonuclease (ExoN) is essential for viral replication, contributing to proofreading, RNA synthesis, and genomic RNA recombination. As such, it represents a promising target for antiviral drugs. Several low-molecular-weight inhibitors, including disulfiram and aurintricarboxylic acid (ATA), have been reported to inhibit ExoN activity. Computational studies have also suggested that various natural phenolic compounds may inhibit ExoN; however, their inhibitory potency remains largely unknown. In this study, we systematically evaluated the inhibitory potency of 60 phenolic phytochemicals, including flavonoids, phenolic acids, coumarins, and other related compounds, using a dual-assay approach, with ATA as the reference inhibitor. Initially, we used nano-differential scanning fluorimetry to assess the thermal stabilization or destabilization of the enzyme induced by compound binding. Subsequently, we performed a TBE-PAGE-based enzymatic activity assay to examine ExoN activity inhibition. Selected compounds were then validated using a FRET-based enzymatic assay. While none of the compounds achieved the ATA’s inhibitory efficacy, three compounds demonstrated measurable inhibitory activity: myricetin (IC50 = 142 µM), ellagic acid (IC50 = 44.4 µM), and shikonin (IC50 = 7.92 µM). Our dual assay approach, complemented by crosslinking experiments, revealed that shikonin exhibits a distinct inhibitory mechanism, possibly involving the disruption of ExoN subunit interactions. These findings emphasize the necessity of experimental validation following in silico screening, particularly for promiscuous chemicals such as phenolic natural products. This approach may help to narrow down rationally designed compounds for further optimization.

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Highlights

ExoN is a key SARS-CoV-2 antiviral target involved in proofreading, RNA synthesis, and recombination.
60 phenolic compounds, selected from published in silico screens, were experimentally validated using a dual-assay strategy.
Three compounds – myricetin (IC50 ≈ 142 µM), ellagic acid (IC50 ≈ 44.2 µM), and shikonin (IC50 ≈ 7.92 µM) exhibited measurable inhibition.
Shikonin displayed a distinct mode of action by disrupting the nsp14-nsp10 interaction.
Findings highlight the importance of experimental validation as a follow-up to virtual screens for guiding drug discovery.

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Keywords : SARS-CoV-2, Nsp14, Exoribonuclease, Inhibitors, Phenolic natural products, Shikonin


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© 2025  The Authors. Pubblicato da Elsevier Masson SAS. Tutti i diritti riservati.
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