Exploring Erythrina flavonoids as potential SARS-CoV-2 RdRp inhibitors through virtual screening, in silico ADMET evaluation, and molecular dynamics simulation studies

Abstract The COVID-19 pandemic, caused by SARS-CoV-2, has intensified the search for effective antiviral agents. This study investigates the inhibitory potential of 473 flavonoids from the genus Erythrina against the key enzyme of SARS-CoV-2, RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp). Virtual screening ca...

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Main Authors: Tati Herlina, Vicki Nishinarizki, Abd. Wahid Rizaldi Akili, Ari Hardianto, Shabarni Gaffar, Muchtaridi Muchtaridi, Jalifah Latip
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-04-01
Series:Scientific Reports
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-97311-w
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author Tati Herlina
Vicki Nishinarizki
Abd. Wahid Rizaldi Akili
Ari Hardianto
Shabarni Gaffar
Muchtaridi Muchtaridi
Jalifah Latip
author_facet Tati Herlina
Vicki Nishinarizki
Abd. Wahid Rizaldi Akili
Ari Hardianto
Shabarni Gaffar
Muchtaridi Muchtaridi
Jalifah Latip
author_sort Tati Herlina
collection DOAJ
description Abstract The COVID-19 pandemic, caused by SARS-CoV-2, has intensified the search for effective antiviral agents. This study investigates the inhibitory potential of 473 flavonoids from the genus Erythrina against the key enzyme of SARS-CoV-2, RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp). Virtual screening campaign using molecular docking identified 128 flavonoids with stronger binding energies to RdRp than remdesivir, a WHO-endorsed drug. Lipinski’s Rule of Five and ADMET profiling suggested butein (119) as the promising RdRp inhibitor. Moreover, molecular dynamics simulations revealed that 119 binds effectively to RdRp and interacts with the RNA template and primer, suggesting a multi-faceted inhibitory mechanism. Our findings highlight the potential of Erythrina-derived flavonoids, particularly compound 119, as potent RdRp inhibitors, warranting further experimental studies.
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publisher Nature Portfolio
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series Scientific Reports
spelling doaj-art-c13d48e06fa646d18c6e919f8f9c44fc2025-08-20T03:13:54ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-04-0115111210.1038/s41598-025-97311-wExploring Erythrina flavonoids as potential SARS-CoV-2 RdRp inhibitors through virtual screening, in silico ADMET evaluation, and molecular dynamics simulation studiesTati Herlina0Vicki Nishinarizki1Abd. Wahid Rizaldi Akili2Ari Hardianto3Shabarni Gaffar4Muchtaridi Muchtaridi5Jalifah Latip6Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Universitas PadjadjaranDepartment of Chemistry, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Universitas PadjadjaranDepartment of Chemistry, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Universitas PadjadjaranDepartment of Chemistry, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Universitas PadjadjaranDepartment of Chemistry, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Universitas PadjadjaranFaculty of Pharmacy, Universitas PadjadjaranDepartment of Chemical Sciences, Faculty of Science & Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (U.K.M.)Abstract The COVID-19 pandemic, caused by SARS-CoV-2, has intensified the search for effective antiviral agents. This study investigates the inhibitory potential of 473 flavonoids from the genus Erythrina against the key enzyme of SARS-CoV-2, RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp). Virtual screening campaign using molecular docking identified 128 flavonoids with stronger binding energies to RdRp than remdesivir, a WHO-endorsed drug. Lipinski’s Rule of Five and ADMET profiling suggested butein (119) as the promising RdRp inhibitor. Moreover, molecular dynamics simulations revealed that 119 binds effectively to RdRp and interacts with the RNA template and primer, suggesting a multi-faceted inhibitory mechanism. Our findings highlight the potential of Erythrina-derived flavonoids, particularly compound 119, as potent RdRp inhibitors, warranting further experimental studies.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-97311-wFlavonoidsErythrinaRNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp)Structure-based bioinformaticsADMET
spellingShingle Tati Herlina
Vicki Nishinarizki
Abd. Wahid Rizaldi Akili
Ari Hardianto
Shabarni Gaffar
Muchtaridi Muchtaridi
Jalifah Latip
Exploring Erythrina flavonoids as potential SARS-CoV-2 RdRp inhibitors through virtual screening, in silico ADMET evaluation, and molecular dynamics simulation studies
Scientific Reports
Flavonoids
Erythrina
RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp)
Structure-based bioinformatics
ADMET
title Exploring Erythrina flavonoids as potential SARS-CoV-2 RdRp inhibitors through virtual screening, in silico ADMET evaluation, and molecular dynamics simulation studies
title_full Exploring Erythrina flavonoids as potential SARS-CoV-2 RdRp inhibitors through virtual screening, in silico ADMET evaluation, and molecular dynamics simulation studies
title_fullStr Exploring Erythrina flavonoids as potential SARS-CoV-2 RdRp inhibitors through virtual screening, in silico ADMET evaluation, and molecular dynamics simulation studies
title_full_unstemmed Exploring Erythrina flavonoids as potential SARS-CoV-2 RdRp inhibitors through virtual screening, in silico ADMET evaluation, and molecular dynamics simulation studies
title_short Exploring Erythrina flavonoids as potential SARS-CoV-2 RdRp inhibitors through virtual screening, in silico ADMET evaluation, and molecular dynamics simulation studies
title_sort exploring erythrina flavonoids as potential sars cov 2 rdrp inhibitors through virtual screening in silico admet evaluation and molecular dynamics simulation studies
topic Flavonoids
Erythrina
RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp)
Structure-based bioinformatics
ADMET
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-97311-w
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