SAR-based approach to explore in silico ferrocene analogues as the potential inhibitors of major viral proteins of SARS-CoV-2 virus and human Ca2+-channel blocker

Abstract

Amid the pandemic COVID-19, there is a desperate and urgent need for a therapeutic solution for COVID-19. Our present studies have adapted the SAR-based approach to explore in silico several selected ferrocene-based complexes as the potential inhibitors of the major viral proteins (Spike, RdRp, M_pro, N protein) of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. The SAR-based molecular docking studies have revealed that compound 1 is the strongest inhibitor of the major viral proteins with a binding energy of >9.0 kcal/mol. Compound 1 is also able to inhibit the human Ca²⁺ channel and thereby potentially able to prevent the strong inflammatory signalling cascades causing severe respiratory distress to the COVID-19 patients. Overall, our computational studies explored ferrocene-based compounds as the emerging multi-targeting therapeutic solution for COVID-19 by inhibiting viral replication as well as modulating the inflammatory signalling cascades.