Anethole for COVID-19

Background/Objectives: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been a global pandemic since 2019, but effective therapeutic treatments for it remain limited. Shuqing Granule (SG) is a traditional Chinese medicine containing ingredients such as indirubin, shinpterocarpin, naringenin, and quercetin. It exhibits anti-inflammatory and antiviral activities as well as broad-spectrum antiviral effects, yet its potential role in the treatment of COVID-19 remains unclear. This study thus aimed to explore the therapeutic effects of SG on COVID-19, with a focus on its potential anti-SARS-CoV-2 activity linked to these bioactive ingredients. Methods: The potential therapeutic ability of SG was investigated by combining network pharmacology, molecular docking, and experimental verification. First, key ingredients in SG and their corresponding targets, as well as COVID-19-related targets, were identified. Then, enrichment analyses were performed to highlight potential key pathways. Additionally, molecular docking was conducted to assess the binding capacity of the key ingredients to ACE2. Finally, experiments such as Western blot and ELISA were conducted to verify the effect of SG. Results: The results showed that 15 key ingredients such as quercetin in SG could affect overlapping targets such as RELA. Molecular docking results showed that key ingredients in SG, such as isoliquiritigenin, formononetin, shinpterocarpin, indirubin, naringenin, kaempferol, and 7-Methoxy-2-methylisoflavone, might bind to angiotensin-converting enzyme II (ACE2)—a critical receptor in the process of COVID-19 infection—thereby exerting antiviral effects. Experiments such as Western blot and ELISA further demonstrated that SG could reduce inflammation induced by the SARS-CoV-2 S1 protein by 50%. This effect might be achieved by downregulating ACE2 expression by 1.5 times and inhibiting the NF-κB signaling pathway. Conclusions: This study confirmed that SG has potential as a candidate for COVID-19 treatment. It also provided a new approach for the application of traditional Chinese medicine in combating the virus.

Abstract Background The recent outbreak of the Coronavirus pandemic resulted in a successful vaccination program launched by the World Health Organization. However, a large population is still unvaccinated, leading to the emergence of mutated strains like alpha, beta, delta, and B.1.1.529 (Omicron). Recent reports from the World Health Organization raised concerns about the Omicron variant, which emerged in South Africa during a surge in COVID-19 cases in November 2021. Vaccines are not proven completely effective or safe against Omicron, leading to clinical trials for combating infection by the mutated virus. The absence of suitable pharmaceuticals has led scientists and clinicians to search for alternative and supplementary therapies, including dietary patterns, to reduce the effect of mutated strains. Main body This review analyzed Coronavirus aetiology, epidemiology, and natural products for combating Omicron. Although the literature search did not include keywords related to in silico or computational research, in silico investigations were emphasized in this study. Molecular docking was implemented to compare the interaction between natural products and Chloroquine with the ACE2 receptor protein amino acid residues of Omicron. The global Omicron infection proceeding SARS-CoV-2 vaccination was also elucidated. The docking results suggest that DGCG may bind to the ACE2 receptor three times more effectively than standard chloroquine. Conclusion The emergence of the Omicron variant has highlighted the need for alternative therapies to reduce the impact of mutated strains. The current review suggests that natural products such as DGCG may be effective in binding to the ACE2 receptor and combating the Omicron variant, however, further research is required to validate the results of this study and explore the potential of natural products to mitigate COVID-19. Graphical abstract