Evaluating Cepharanthine Analogues as Natural Drugs Against SARS-CoV-2

In this study, molecular docking simulations and cell-based assays suggested that certain analogues of cepharanthine might possess anti-SARS-CoV-2 activity.

This study suggests that cepharanthine may play an important role in treating SARS-CoV-2 infection by targeting multiple pathways and related targets associated with COVID-19.

This review highlights cepharanthine as a promising candidate for COVID-19 treatment due to its antiviral activity against SARS-CoV-2 and favorable pharmacokinetic and safety profile, but reports no new clinical results.

The researchers reviewed cepharanthine, a long-used bisbenzylisoquinoline alkaloid, for its antiviral properties, including significant inhibition of SARS-CoV-2. They discussed cepharanthine's other pharmacological actions, highlighted plasma membrane fluidity as a key antiviral mechanism, and examined its safety, bioavailability, and potential for new clinical applications.

This review examines cepharanthine's antiviral potential against COVID-19 and finds no clinical results yet; it highlights cepharanthine as a potent inhibitor of coronavirus in preclinical models.