Active-site molecular docking of nigellidine with nucleocapsid-NSP2-MPro of COVID-19 and to human IL1R-IL6R and strong antioxidant role of Nigella sativa in experimental rats

J Drug Target. 2022 Jun;30(5):511-521. doi: 10.1080/1061186X.2020.1817040. Epub 2022 Mar 18.

Abstract

The recent outbreak of SARS CoV-2 has changed the global scenario of human lives/economy. A significant number of the non-survivors showed cardiac renal vasculature dysfunction. A 'cytokine storm' namely, interleukin IL6-IL1 receptors, i.e. IL6R-IL1R over-functioning was reported. Here, nigellidine, an indazole alkaloid and key component of Nigella sativa L. (NS) commonly known as black cumin seed was analysed for COVID-19 protein targeting and IL1R-IL6R inhibition through molecular docking study and biochemical study in experimental rat to evaluate antioxidative capacity. The NMR/X-ray crystallographic/electron microscopic structures of COVID-19 main protease (6LU7)/spike glycoprotein (6vsb)/NSP2 (QHD43415_2)/nucleocapsid (QHD43423), human IL1R (1itb)-IL6R (1pm9) from PDB were retrieved analysed for receptor-ligand interaction. Then, those structures were docked with nigellidine using AutoDock and PatchDock server. A brief comparison was made with nigellicine thymoquinone from N. sativa. Where nigellidine showed highest binding energy of -6.6 kcal/mol, ligand efficiency of -0.3 with COVID19 Nsp2 forming bonds with amino acid CYS240 present in binding pocket. Nigellidine showed strong interaction with main protease (BE: -6.38/LE: -0.29). Nigellidine showed affinity to IL1R (-6.23). The NS treated rat showed marked decline in ALP-SGPT-SGOT-malondialdehyde (MDA) than the basal levels. From the Western blot and activity analysis, it was observed that Nigellidine (sulphuryl group drug) showed no impact on phenol-catalysing ASTIV and steroid-catalysing oestrogen-sulphotransferase expressions and activities in liver tissue and thus has no influence in sulphation-mediated adverse metabolic processes. Conclusively, nigellidine has hepato-reno-protective/antioxidant-immunomodulatory/anti-inflammatory activities with inhibit potentials of COVID-19 proteins. Further validation is necessary.

Keywords: SARS CoV-2 proteins; cytokine; cytotoxicity test; inhibition; molecular docking; nigellidine; rat model.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antioxidants / pharmacology
  • COVID-19 Drug Treatment*
  • Humans
  • Ligands
  • Molecular Docking Simulation
  • Nigella sativa* / chemistry
  • Nucleocapsid
  • Peptide Hydrolases
  • Rats
  • Receptors, Interleukin-6

Substances

  • Antioxidants
  • IL6R protein, human
  • Ligands
  • Receptors, Interleukin-6
  • Peptide Hydrolases