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Reframing quercetin as a promiscuous inhibitor against SARS-CoV-2 main protease

Yan et al., Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, doi:10.1073/pnas.2309289120

Sep 2023

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Quercetin for COVID-19

22nd treatment shown to reduce risk in July 2021

^*, now known with p = 0.0031 from 11 studies.

Lower risk for ICU admission, hospitalization, recovery, cases, and viral clearance.

No treatment is 100% effective. Protocols combine complementary and synergistic treatments. ^* >10% efficacy in meta analysis with ≥3 clinical studies.

4,100+ studies for 60+ treatments. c19early.org

In Vitro study Yan and associated response from the original authors Xu, collectively showing that quercetin and echinatin had weak SARS-CoV-2 protease inhibition in SDS-PAGE assays Xu, despite false positive FRET results from MCA-AVLQ quenching Xu, Yan. Authors note that the compounds may act via other targets to achieve reported anti-COVID-19 effects Xu, and underscore the importance of meticulous validation with multiple assays when identifying SARS-CoV-2 protease inhibitors Xu, Yan.

54 preclinical studies support the efficacy of quercetin for COVID-19:

33 In Silico studies Ahmed, Akinwumi, Alanzi, Alavi, Alkafaas, Azmi, Chandran, Chellasamy, Corbo, El-Megharbel, Hasanah, Ibeh, Kandeil, Mandal, Moschovou, Nalban, Nguyen, Pan, Qin, Rehman, Sai Ramesh, Sekiou, Shaik, Singh, Singh (B), Thapa, Wang, Waqas, Yang, Yang (B), Zhang, Zhou, Şimşek

16 In Vitro studies Aguado, Bahun, DiGuilio, El-Megharbel, Fang, Goc, Kandeil, Munafò, Pan, Roy, Singh (C), Waqas, Wu, Xu (B), Yang, Zhang (B)

5 In Vivo animal studies Aguado, El-Megharbel, Shaker, Wu, Wu (B)

In Silico studies predict inhibition of SARS-CoV-2, or minimization of side effects, with quercetin or metabolites via binding to the spike Note A, Alavi, Azmi (B), Chandran, Kandeil, Mandal, Moschovou, Nguyen, Pan, Thapa (B), Şimşek, M^pro Note B, Akinwumi, Alanzi, Ibeh, Kandeil, Mandal, Moschovou, Nguyen, Qin, Rehman, Sekiou (B), Singh, Thapa (B), Wang, Zhang, Shaik, Waqas, Nalban, RNA-dependent RNA polymerase Note C, Corbo, PLpro Note D, Ibeh, Zhang, ACE2 Note E, Chandran, Ibeh, Qin, Thapa (B), Şimşek, Alkafaas, TMPRSS2 Note F, Chandran, helicase Note G, Alanzi, Singh (B), endoribonuclease Note H, Alavi, cathepsin L Note I, Ahmed, Wnt-3 Note J, Chandran, FZD Note K, Chandran, LRP6 Note L, Chandran, ezrin Note M, Chellasamy, ADRP Note N, Nguyen, NRP1 Note O, Şimşek, EP300 Note P, Hasanah, PTGS2 Note Q, Qin, HSP90AA1 Note R, Qin, Hasanah, matrix metalloproteinase 9 Note S, Sai Ramesh, IL-6 Note T, Yang, Yang (B), IL-10 Note U, Yang, VEGFA Note V, Yang (B), and RELA Note W, Yang (B) proteins. In Vitro studies demonstrate efficacy in Calu-3 Note X, DiGuilio, A549 Note Y, Yang, HEK293-ACE2+ Note Z, Singh (C), Huh-7 Note AA, Pan, Caco-2 Note AB, Roy, Vero E6 Note AC, Kandeil, El-Megharbel, Roy, mTEC Note AD, Wu, and RAW264.7 Note AE, Wu cells. Animal studies demonstrate efficacy in K18-hACE2 mice Note AF, Aguado, db/db mice Note AG, Wu, Wu (B), BALB/c mice Note AH, Shaker, and rats El-Megharbel (B). Quercetin reduced proinflammatory cytokines and protected lung and kidney tissue against LPS-induced damage in mice Shaker.

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18. Hasanah et al., Decoding the therapeutic potential of empon-empon: a bioinformatics expedition unraveling mechanisms against COVID-19 and atherosclerosis, International Journal of Applied Pharmaceutics, doi:10.22159/ijap.2024v16i2.50128.innovareacademics.in, doi.org.

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21. Mandal et al., In silico anti-viral assessment of phytoconstituents in a traditional (Siddha Medicine) polyherbal formulation – Targeting Mpro and pan-coronavirus post-fusion Spike protein, Journal of Traditional and Complementary Medicine, doi:10.1016/j.jtcme.2023.07.004.sciencedirect.com, doi.org.

22. Moschovou et al., Exploring the Binding Effects of Natural Products and Antihypertensive Drugs on SARS-CoV-2: An In Silico Investigation of Main Protease and Spike Protein, International Journal of Molecular Sciences, doi:10.3390/ijms242115894.mdpi.com, doi.org.

23. Munafò et al., Quercetin and Luteolin Are Single-digit Micromolar Inhibitors of the SARS-CoV-2 RNA-dependent RNA Polymerase, Research Square, doi:10.21203/rs.3.rs-1149846/v1.researchsquare.com, doi.org.

24. Nalban et al., Targeting COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2) main protease through phytochemicals of Albizia lebbeck: molecular docking, molecular dynamics simulation, MM–PBSA free energy calculations, and DFT analysis, Journal of Proteins and Proteomics, doi:10.1007/s42485-024-00136-w.springer.com, doi.org.

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27. Qin et al., Exploring the bioactive compounds of Feiduqing formula for the prevention and management of COVID-19 through network pharmacology and molecular docking, Medical Data Mining, doi:10.53388/MDM202407003.tmrjournals.com, doi.org.

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29. Roy et al., Quercetin inhibits SARS-CoV-2 infection and prevents syncytium formation by cells co-expressing the viral spike protein and human ACE2, Virology Journal, doi:10.1186/s12985-024-02299-w.biomedcentral.com, doi.org.

30. Sai Ramesh et al., Computational analysis of the phytocompounds of Mimusops elengi against spike protein of SARS CoV2 – An Insilico model, International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, doi:10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2023.125553.sciencedirect.com, doi.org.

31. Sekiou et al., In-Silico Identification of Potent Inhibitors of COVID-19 Main Protease (Mpro) and Angiotensin Converting Enzyme 2 (ACE2) from Natural Products: Quercetin, Hispidulin, and Cirsimaritin Exhibited Better Potential Inhibition than Hydroxy-Chloroquine Against COVID-19 Main Protease Active Site and ACE2, ChemRxiv, doi:10.26434/chemrxiv.12181404.v1.chemrxiv.org, doi.org.

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34. Shaker et al., Anti-cytokine Storm Activity of Fraxin, Quercetin, and their Combination on Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Cytokine Storm in Mice: Implications in COVID-19, Iranian Journal of Medical Sciences, doi:10.30476/ijms.2023.98947.3102.ac.ir, doi.org.

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a. The trimeric spike (S) protein is a glycoprotein that mediates viral entry by binding to the host ACE2 receptor, is critical for SARS-CoV-2's ability to infect host cells, and is a target of neutralizing antibodies. Inhibition of the spike protein prevents viral attachment, halting infection at the earliest stage.

b. The main protease or M^pro, also known as 3CL^pro or nsp5, is a cysteine protease that cleaves viral polyproteins into functional units needed for replication. Inhibiting M^pro disrupts the SARS-CoV-2 lifecycle within the host cell, preventing the creation of new copies.

c. RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp), also called nsp12, is the core enzyme of the viral replicase-transcriptase complex that copies the positive-sense viral RNA genome into negative-sense templates for progeny RNA synthesis. Inhibiting RdRp blocks viral genome replication and transcription.

d. The papain-like protease (PLpro) has multiple functions including cleaving viral polyproteins and suppressing the host immune response by deubiquitination and deISGylation of host proteins. Inhibiting PLpro may block viral replication and help restore normal immune responses.

e. The angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) protein is a host cell transmembrane protein that serves as the cellular receptor for the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein. ACE2 is expressed on many cell types, including epithelial cells in the lungs, and allows the virus to enter and infect host cells. Inhibition may affect ACE2's physiological function in blood pressure control.

f. Transmembrane protease serine 2 (TMPRSS2) is a host cell protease that primes the spike protein, facilitating cellular entry. TMPRSS2 activity helps enable cleavage of the spike protein required for membrane fusion and virus entry. Inhibition may especially protect respiratory epithelial cells, buy may have physiological effects.

g. The helicase, or nsp13, protein unwinds the double-stranded viral RNA, a crucial step in replication and transcription. Inhibition may prevent viral genome replication and the creation of new virus components.

h. The endoribonuclease, also known as NendoU or nsp15, cleaves specific sequences in viral RNA which may help the virus evade detection by the host immune system. Inhibition may hinder the virus's ability to mask itself from the immune system, facilitating a stronger immune response.

i. Cathepsin L is a host lysosomal cysteine protease that can prime the spike protein through an alternative pathway when TMPRSS2 is unavailable. Dual targeting of cathepsin L and TMPRSS2 may maximize disruption of alternative pathways for virus entry.

k. The frizzled (FZD) receptor is a host transmembrane receptor that binds Wnt ligands, initiating the Wnt signaling cascade. FZD serves as a co-receptor, along with ACE2, in some proposed mechanisms of SARS-CoV-2 infection. The virus may take advantage of this pathway as an alternative entry route.

l. Low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 6 is a cell surface co-receptor essential for Wnt signaling. LRP6 acts in tandem with FZD for signal transduction and has been discussed as a potential co-receptor for SARS-CoV-2 entry.

m. The ezrin protein links the cell membrane to the cytoskeleton (the cell's internal support structure) and plays a role in cell shape, movement, adhesion, and signaling. Drugs that occupy the same spot on ezrin where the viral spike protein would bind may hindering viral attachment, and drug binding could further stabilize ezrin, strengthening its potential natural capacity to impede viral fusion and entry.

n. The Adipocyte Differentiation-Related Protein (ADRP, also known as Perilipin 2 or PLIN2) is a lipid droplet protein regulating the storage and breakdown of fats in cells. SARS-CoV-2 may hijack the lipid handling machinery of host cells and ADRP may play a role in this process. Disrupting ADRP's interaction with the virus may hinder the virus's ability to use lipids for replication and assembly.

o. Neuropilin-1 (NRP1) is a cell surface receptor with roles in blood vessel development, nerve cell guidance, and immune responses. NRP1 may function as a co-receptor for SARS-CoV-2, facilitating viral entry into cells. Blocking NRP1 may disrupt an alternative route of viral entry.

p. EP300 (E1A Binding Protein P300) is a transcriptional coactivator involved in several cellular processes, including growth, differentiation, and apoptosis, through its acetyltransferase activity that modifies histones and non-histone proteins. EP300 facilitates viral entry into cells and upregulates inflammatory cytokine production.

q. Prostaglandin G/H synthase 2 (PTGS2, also known as COX-2) is an enzyme crucial for the production of inflammatory molecules called prostaglandins. PTGS2 plays a role in the inflammatory response that can become severe in COVID-19 and inhibitors (like some NSAIDs) may have benefits in dampening harmful inflammation, but note that prostaglandins have diverse physiological functions.

r. Heat Shock Protein 90 Alpha Family Class A Member 1 (HSP90AA1) is a chaperone protein that helps other proteins fold correctly and maintains their stability. HSP90AA1 plays roles in cell signaling, survival, and immune responses. HSP90AA1 may interact with numerous viral proteins, but note that it has diverse physiological functions.

s. Matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP9), also called gelatinase B, is a zinc-dependent enzyme that breaks down collagen and other components of the extracellular matrix. MMP9 levels increase in severe COVID-19. Overactive MMP9 can damage lung tissue and worsen inflammation. Inhibition of MMP9 may prevent excessive tissue damage and help regulate the inflammatory response.

t. The interleukin-6 (IL-6) pro-inflammatory cytokine (signaling molecule) has a complex role in the immune response and may trigger and perpetuate inflammation. Elevated IL-6 levels are associated with severe COVID-19 cases and cytokine storm. Anti-IL-6 therapies may be beneficial in reducing excessive inflammation in severe COVID-19 cases.

u. The interleukin-10 (IL-10) anti-inflammatory cytokine helps regulate and dampen immune responses, preventing excessive inflammation. IL-10 levels can also be elevated in severe COVID-19. IL-10 could either help control harmful inflammation or potentially contribute to immune suppression.

v. Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A (VEGFA) promotes the growth of new blood vessels (angiogenesis) and has roles in inflammation and immune responses. VEGFA may contribute to blood vessel leakiness and excessive inflammation associated with severe COVID-19.

w. RELA is a transcription factor subunit of NF-kB and is a key regulator of inflammation, driving pro-inflammatory gene expression. SARS-CoV-2 may hijack and modulate NF-kB pathways.

x. Calu-3 is a human lung adenocarcinoma cell line with moderate ACE2 and TMPRSS2 expression and SARS-CoV-2 susceptibility. It provides a model of the human respiratory epithelium, but many not be ideal for modeling early stages of infection due to the moderate expression levels of ACE2 and TMPRSS2.

y. A549 is a human lung carcinoma cell line with low ACE2 expression and SARS-CoV-2 susceptibility. Viral entry/replication can be studied but the cells may not replicate all aspects of lung infection.

z. HEK293-ACE2+ is a human embryonic kidney cell line engineered for high ACE2 expression and SARS-CoV-2 susceptibility.

aa. Huh-7 cells were derived from a liver tumor (hepatoma).

ab. Caco-2 cells come from a colorectal adenocarcinoma (cancer). They are valued for their ability to form a polarized cell layer with properties similar to the intestinal lining.

ac. Vero E6 is an African green monkey kidney cell line with low/no ACE2 expression and high SARS-CoV-2 susceptibility. The cell line is easy to maintain and supports robust viral replication, however the monkey origin may not accurately represent human responses.

ad. mTEC is a mouse tubular epithelial cell line.

ae. RAW264.7 is a mouse macrophage cell line.

af. A mouse model expressing the human ACE2 receptor under the control of the K18 promoter.

ag. A mouse model of obesity and severe insulin resistance leading to type 2 diabetes due to a mutation in the leptin receptor gene that impairs satiety signaling.

ah. A mouse model commonly used in infectious disease and cancer research due to higher immune response and susceptibility to infection.

Yan et al., 5 Sep 2023, peer-reviewed, 5 authors. Contact: yanchang.wang@med.fsu.edu, chenyunyu1984@163.com.

In Vitro studies are an important part of preclinical research, however results may be very different in vivo.

This Paper Quercetin All

Abstract: LETTER Reframing quercetin as a promiscuous inhibitor against SARS-CoV-2 main protease Haohao Yana,1, Rui Zhanga,1, Xiaoping Liua, Yanchang Wangb,2 , and Yunyu Chena,2 Fig. 1. Inhibitory effect of quercetin on SARS-CoV-2 Mpro in vitro. (A) The chemical structure of quercetin. (B) Inhibition of Mpro by quercetin using FRET assay. (C) The fluorescence quenching effect of quercetin on MCA-AVLQ fragment in the FRET assay. MCA: 7-methoxycoumarin-4-acetic acid. (D) The comparison between Mpro inhibition and fluorescence quenching effect of quercetin in the FRET assay. (E) Inhibition of Mpro by quercetin using FP assay. The FRET and FP assays were carried out as previously described (4, 5, 7). The IC50 value of quercetin was shown. Nirmatrelvir (PF-332, 1 μM) and DMSO served as the positive and negative controls, respectively. (F and G) Inhibition of Mpro by quercetin using ddRFP assay. The time course trajectories of ddRFP biosensor in the presence of quercetin at the indicated concentrations were recorded every minute for 30 min by a microplate reader (BioTek). A fluorescent ddRFP biosensor produces a high RFU value in the presence of Mpro inhibitors, whereas the cleavage by Mpro generates two separate RFP fragments with a low RFU signal. In the gel-based assay, the ddRFP biosensor (55 kDa) can be cleaved by Mpro (34 kDa) to generate RFP-A1 (top band, 29 kDa) and RFP-B1 fragments (bottom band, 26 kDa). The testing concentration of quercetin was 50, 100, or 200 μM. Nirmatrelvir (PF-332, 10 μM) and DMSO were used as the positive and negative controls, respectively. The ddRFP assay was performed based on our previous publications (6, 7). Traditional Chinese medicine has made contributions to the treatment of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) because of its favorable efficacy, such as Huashi Baidu decoction (Q-14) (1, 2). Recently, quercetin, a main component of Q-14, has been identified as a potent inhibitor against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) main protease (Mpro) using an integrative pharmacological strategy, and its inhibitory effect on Mpro is examined by the fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) assay with the half- maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) value of 22.47 μM (3). Considering the potential of quercetin in COVID-19 treatment, a rigorous validation for its Mpro inhibition is necessary. We have developed a systematic high-throughput screening (HTS) platform for the discovery and assessment of Mpro inhibitors, including FRET, fluorescence polarization (FP), and dimerization-dependent red fluorescent protein (ddRFP) assays (4–7). With these assays, we previously demonstrated that baicalein is a nonspecific Mpro inhibitor (7). Herein, we rigorously evaluated the inhibition of Mpro by quercetin in vitro using these HTS assays (Fig. 1A). To ensure the PNAS 2023 Vol. 120 No. 37 e2309289120 reliability of these assays, nirmatrelvir (PF-07321332, PF-332) served as a positive control in the presence of dithiothreitol (DTT) (7). Using FRET assay, our results showed that quercetin exhibits apparent inhibition against Mpro (IC50 = 42.81 μM) (Fig. 1B). However, the presence of quercetin at the testing concentrations was able to quench the fluorescence signal of MCA-AVLQ fragment, which is generated by the cleaved FRET substrate (Fig. 1C). Importantly, this quenching effect Author affiliations: aInstitute for Drug Screening and Evaluation, Wannan Medical..

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