Licorice-saponin A3 is a broad-spectrum inhibitor for COVID-19 by targeting viral spike and anti-inflammation

Currently,human health due to corona virus disease 2019(COVID-19)pandemic has been seriously threatened.The coronavirus severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2(SARS-CoV-2)spike(S)protein plays a crucial role in virus transmission and several S-based therapeutic approaches have been approved for the treatment of COVID-19.However,the efficacy is compromised by the SARS-CoV-2 evolvement and mutation.Here we report the SARS-CoV-2 S protein receptor-binding domain(RBD)inhibitor licorice-saponin A3(A3)could widely inhibit RBD of SARS-CoV-2 variants,including Beta,Delta,and Omicron BA.1,XBB and BQ1.1.Furthermore,A3 could potently inhibit SARS-CoV-2 Omicron virus in Vero E6 cells,with EC50 of 1.016μM.The mechanism was related to binding with Y453 of RBD determined by hydrogen-deuterium exchange mass spectrometry(HDX-MS)analysis combined with quantum mechanics/molecular mechanics(QM/MM)simulations.Interestingly,phosphoproteomics analysis and multi fluorescent immunohistochemistry(mIHC)respectively indicated that A3 also inhibits host inflammation by directly modulating the JNK and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase(MAPK)pathways and rebalancing the corresponding immune dysregulation.This work supports A3 as a promising broad-spectrum small molecule drug candidate for COVID-19.

Making Elimination of Perinatal Hepatitis B Infection a Reality:The Chinese Contribution

Chronic hepatitis B virus(HBV)infection,referred to the presence of hepatitis B surface antigen(HBsAg)over 6 months,is a serious health issue because of its severe sequelae such as cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma.Prevention of mother-to-child transmission(MTCT)of HBV is most important to control hepatitis B because a vast majority of HBV acquisition in infancy will become chronic carriers.

Breastmilk—Old but Not Obsolete:from the Safety of Breastfeeding During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 Pandemic to Broad Antiviral Drug Development

The coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2(SARS-CoV-2)poses a major threat to global health.The high mortality rate reported during the early stage of the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in panic among patients,including lactating mothers.1-3 The detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in breastmilk raised great concerns regarding the possibility of mother-tochild transmission(MTCT)of the virus.4 According to several reports on the presence of SARS-CoV-2 in breastmilk,some experts suggested that breastfeeding should be conducted with caution,while others recommended that,infants should be separated from their mother and breastfeeding should be discontinued.

The effect of whey protein on viral infection and replication of SARS-CoV-2 and pangolin coronavirus in vitro

Dear Editor,Since severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2(SARSCoV-2)RNA has been detected in human breastmilk,infants’safety with breastmilk feeding is of great concern for women with coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19).1 It is known that milk has antiviral properties.2 However,little is known about the antiviral property of human breastmilk to SARS-CoV-2 and its related pangolin coronavirus(GX_P2V).Here we present for the first time that whey protein from human breastmilk effectively inhibited both SARS-CoV-2 and GX_P2V by blocking viral attachment and viral replication at entry and even post entry.Moreover,human whey protein inhibited infectious virus production,as proved by the plaque assay.We found that whey protein from different species,such as cow and goat,also showed anti-coronavirus properties.Commercial bovine formula milk also showed similar anti-SARS-CoV-2 activity.