IISc Scientists finds new antiviral against Sars-Cov-2, other viruses

Virologists from IISc’s antiviral lab have reported that Picolinic acid (PA) — endogenously produced in humans and other mammals — has broad-spectrum antiviral effects against enveloped viruses, including SARS-CoV-2, influenza A virus (IAV), flaviviruses, herpes simplex virus, and human parainfluenza virus.

IISc Scientists finds new antiviral against Sars-Cov-2, other viruses

A group of scientists from the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) says targeting host processes that are co-opted by viruses is an attractive strategy for developing antivirals with a high resistance barrier. Virologists from IISc’s antiviral lab have reported that Picolinic acid (PA) — endogenously produced in humans and other mammals — has broad-spectrum antiviral effects against enveloped viruses, including SARS-CoV-2, influenza A virus (IAV), flaviviruses, herpes simplex virus, and human parainfluenza virus.
In a preprint study, Shashank Tripathi, Rohan Narayan, Mansi Sharma, Rajesh Yadav, Abhijith Biji, Oyahida Khatun, Raju Rajmani, Pallavi Raj Sharma, Sharumathi Jeyasankar, Priya Rani, Vijaya Satchidanandanam, Saumitra Das, and Rachit Agarwal from various IISc labs, and C Durga Rao from the University of Andhra Pradesh, have said the new antiviral agent has shown preclinical efficacy. Tripathi told TOI their research work had begun even before the pandemic in 2019 and SARS-CoV2 was included in the study after the pandemic broke out.

“...PA is a byproduct of tryptophan (an amino acid used in the biosynthesis of proteins) metabolism. Here we report broad-spectrum antiviral effects of PA against multiple enveloped viruses,” the scientists said. “...We have further demonstrated using animal models that PA is effective against SARS-CoV-2 and IAV, especially as an oral prophylactic. The mode of action studies revealed that PA inhibits viral entry of enveloped viruses, primarily by interfering with viral-cellular membrane fusion, inhibiting virus-mediated syncytia formation, and dysregulating cellular endocytosis,” they added.

Overall, they said their data has established PA as a broad-spectrum antiviral agent, with promising preclinical efficacy against pandemic viruses SARS-CoV-2 and IAV.
“On behalf of us, IISc has filed patents for use of Picolinic acid and its derivatives as broad-spectrum antiviral,” the scientist said.

Read More:

• IGNOU launches PG Diploma programme in Sindhi-Hindi-Sindhi translation

• Hijab Row: Prayers are unusual, Counsel for Udupi PU College in HC

• CUCET 2022: How it will change the admission process in major Universities?