Zainy Zehra

The main protease (M^pro or 3CL^pro or nsp5) of SARS-CoV-2 is crucial to the life cycle and pathogenesis of SARS-CoV-2, making it an attractive drug target to develop antivirals. This study employed the virtual screening of a few phytochemicals, and the resultant best compound, Scopoletin, was further investigated by a FRET-based enzymatic assay, revealing an experimental IC₅₀ of 15.75 µM. The impact of Scopoletin on M^pro was further investigated by biophysical and MD simulation studies. Fluorescence spectroscopy identified a strong binding constant of 3.17 × 10⁴ M⁻¹ for Scopoletin binding to M^pro, as demonstrated by its effective fluorescence quenching of M^pro. Additionally, CD spectroscopy showed a significant reduction in the helical content of M^pro upon interaction with Scopoletin. The findings of thermodynamic measurements using isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) supported the spectroscopic data, indicating a tight binding of Scopoletin to M^pro with a K_A of 2.36 × 10³ M⁻¹. Similarly, interaction studies have also revealed that Scopoletin forms hydrogen bonds with the amino acids nearest to the active site, and this has been further supported by molecular dynamics simulation studies. These findings indicate that Scopoletin may be developed as a potential antiviral treatment for SARS-CoV-2 by targeting M^pro.

This research work focuses on the potential application of an organic compound, santalol, obtained from santalum album, in the inhibition of the enzyme tyrosinase, which is actively involved in the biosynthesis of melanin pigment. Over-production of melanin causes undesirable pigmentation in humans as well as other organisms and significantly downgrades their aesthetic value. The study is designed to explain the purification of tyrosinase from the mushroom Agaricus bisporus, followed by activity assays and enzyme kinetics to give insight into the santalol-modulated tyrosinase inhibition in a dose-dependent manner. The multi-spectroscopic techniques such as UV-vis, fluorescence, and isothermal calorimetry are employed to deduce the efficiency of santalol as a potential candidate against tyrosinase enzyme activity. Experimental results are further verified by molecular docking. Santalol, derived from the essential oils of santalum album, has been widely used as a remedy for skin disorders and a potion for a fair complexion since ancient times. Based on enzyme kinetics and biophysical characterization, this is the first scientific evidence where santalol inhibits tyrosinase, and santalol may be employed in the agriculture, food, and cosmetic industries to prevent excess melanin formation or browning.

Mitochondria are implicated in a wide range of functions apart from ATP generation, and, therefore, constitute one of the most important organelles of cell. Since healthy mitochondria are essential for proper cellular functioning and survival, mitochondrial dysfunction may lead to various pathologies. Mitochondria are considered a novel and promising therapeutic target for the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of various human diseases including metabolic disorders, cancer, and neurodegenerative diseases. For mitochondria-targeted therapy, there is a need to develop an effective drug delivery approach, owing to the mitochondrial special bilayer structure through which therapeutic molecules undergo multiple difficulties in reaching the core. In recent years, various nanoformulations have been designed such as polymeric nanoparticles, liposomes, inorganic nanoparticles conjugate with mitochondriotropic moieties such as mitochondria-penetrating peptides (MPPs), triphenylphosphonium (TPP), dequalinium (DQA), and mitochondrial protein import machinery for overcoming barriers involved in targeting mitochondria. The current approaches used for mitochondria-targeted drug delivery have provided promising ways to overcome the challenges associated with targeted-drug delivery. Herein, we review the research from past years to the current scenario that has identified mitochondrial dysfunction as a major contributor to the pathophysiology of various diseases. Furthermore, we discuss the recent advancements in mitochondria-targeted drug delivery strategies for the pathologies associated with mitochondrial dysfunction.

Viruses pose an ever-present threat to mankind, as witnessed recently in the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic caused by a divergent RNA virus named severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). This virus has had a grave impact on the physical, mental and economical status of human beings by its own life-threatening etiology as well as by interrupting regular healthcare services, travel, commerce, education and many other societal sectors during the global lockdown. All viruses undergo evolution over time, which may or may not lead to an increase in infectivity or transmissibility in addition to resistance to drugs devised to parental/original strains. Thus, as expected, the SARS-CoV-2 virus has undergone mutation over time. In this chapter, we list all significant variants of SARS-CoV-2 reported to February 2021, with their respective mutations and epidemiological statistics. We believe that this compilation will help in the mapping of origin, spread and phylodynamics of the evolving SARS-CoV-2 virus, which may aid in constructing control policies.