Cathepsin inhibitors as potent inhibitors against SARS-CoV-2 main protease. In silico molecular screening and toxicity prediction

Since the emergence of the newly identified Coronavirus SARS-COV-2, no targeted therapeutic agents for COVID-19 treatment are available, and effective treatment options remain very limited. Successful crystallization of the SARS-CoV-2 main protease (Mpro, PDB-ID 6LU7) made possible the research on finding its potential inhibitors for the prevention of virus replication. To conduct molecular docking, we selected ten representatives of the Cathepsin inhibitors family as possible ligands with a high potential of binding the active site of SARS-CoV-2 main protease as a potential target. The results of molecular docking studies revealed that Ligand1 and Ligand2, with vina scores -8.8 and -8.7 kcal/mol for Mpro, respectively, were the most effective in binding. In silico prediction of physicochemical and toxicological behavior of assessed ligands approved the possibility of their use in clinical essays against SARS-COVID-19. Keywords: 6lu7, cathepsin inhibitors, COVID19, in silico prediction, main protease, molecular docking, SARS-COV-2