Pre-existing drug shows promise in fight against Covid-19

PanARMENIAN.Net - Researchers, by using state-of-the-art computer simulations, have identified a pre-existing drug that could fast-track a solution to the Covid-19 pandemic, Now News reports.

The study published in the journal Science Advances, the research team from the University of Chicago in the U.S. focused on finding a weakness in the Covid-19 virus to target.

The researchers chose its main protease: Mpro- a key coronavirus enzyme that plays a central role in the virus’ life cycle.

“Mpro facilitates the virus’ ability to transcribe its RNA and replicate its genome within the host cell,” the researchers said.

Further, the researchers found that the pharmaceutical drug that shows promise as a weapon against Mpro is Ebselen.

Ebselen is a chemical compound with anti-viral, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative, bactericidal, and cell-protective properties.

It is used to treat multiple diseases, including bipolar disorders and hearing loss.