SARS-COV-2 Spike Glycoprotein as Inhibitory Target for In silico Screening of Natural Compounds

Coronavirus disease (Covid-19) caused by SARS-Cov-2 has raised global health concerns without approved drugs to manage this life-threatening disease. This study aimed to predict the inhibitory potential of quercetin-3-o-rutinoside against SARS-Cov-2 spike glycoprotein. Targeting the SARS-Cov-2 Nucleocapsid spike glycoprotein (pdb id: 6m3m) is gaining importance. In this present study, the relationship between plant-derived natural drug and spike glycoprotein was predicted using in silico computational approach. The results were evaluated according to the glide (Schrodinger) dock score. Among the five (5) screened natural compounds, quercetin-3-o-rutinoside has the best docking score (-9.296) with the target. Molecular dynamic (MD) simulation analysis was performed for 1000ps to confirm the spike protein's stability behavior and quercetin-3-o-rutinoside complex. The MD simulation analysis validated the stability of quercetin-3-o-rutinoside in the spike protein binding pocket as a potent inhibitor. The pharmacokinetics screening of the natural compounds showed that quercetin-3-o-rutinoside possesses good oral bioavailability with no side effects.