- In-vivo studies showed positive benefits of spirulina on mice infected with influenza. The mice treated with spirulina had higher survival rates than the mice that were not. 
- The government of India has recommended its citizens take spirulina as a supplement during the COVID-19 pandemic to keep up activity of their immune systems. 
- Taking spirulina supplements may be one of the ways to combat COVID-19.


The Antiviral Properties of Spirulina 

Studies have demonstrated that nsp12 is essential for the SARS-CoV-2 virus to be able to replicate in host cells. As of August 2020, nsp12 is a popular target for treatment of COVID-19. However, it was found that nsp12 does not have much activity on its own. 

nsp12 is essential for SARS-CoV-2 replication 

- It was found that C-phycocyanin interacts almost as perfectly as ATP does with the active site of nsp12. Out of 1000 dock conformations, it showed a very low binding energy, at -4kcal/mol, meaning it binds to the active site spontaneously. 


Results of the Investigation of the Effectiveness of C-Phycoyanin as a Coronaviral Protease Inhibitor

-Wang and colleagues hypothesize that because C-phycocyanin has such a low binding energy with nsp12 and it is able to bond spontaneously, C-phycocyanin could bind to nsp12 instead of ATP, which would block the viral replication process. 


Implications for the Investigation of the Effectiveness of C-Phycocyanin as a Coronaviral Protease Inhibitor

An in-silico study was performed to assess the effectiveness of C-phycoyanin, a compound in spirulina, to inhibit nsp12, a molecule that is required for replication of SARS-CoV-2. 

Santa Clara University

Coronavirus 3C-like proteases are the enzymes on the virus that play a key role in viral replication. Coronaviral protease inhibitors could theoretically prevent the virus from initially infecting the host cell, and appear to be promising drug targets. 

Types:
- GC376
- C-Phycoyanin
- peptidomimetic α-ketoamides 

Using Coronaviral Protease Inhibitors to Treat or Prevent COVID-19

Raj, T., Kanthesh, B. M., & Gopenath, T. S. (2020). C-PHYCOCYANIN OF SPIRULINA PLANTESIS INHIBITS NSP12 REQUIRED FOR REPLICATION OF SARS-COV-2: A NOVEL FINDING IN-SILICO. International Journal Of Pharmaceutical Sciences And Research, 11(9). doi:10.13040/ijpsr.0975-8232.11(9).4271-78


C-PHYCOCYANIN OF SPIRULINA PLANTESIS INHIBITS NSP12 REQUIRED FOR REPLICATION OF SARS-COV-2: A NOVEL FINDING IN-SILICO. 

Wang and colleagues used differential scanning fluorimetry to look at the binding affinity of GC376 and other main protease inhibitors to SARS-CoV-2.

Study Investigating the Effectiveness of GC376 as a Coronaviral Protease Inhibitor

Important Values to Define when Discussing Protease Inhibitors

A structure-based design study observed 11 different alpha-ketoamide protease inhibitors on the Nsp5, 3C- like main protease in coronaviruses and the 3C main protease in enteroviruses. These are the enzymes that are required for protein processing in viruses. 

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