An L-theanine derivative targets against SARS-CoV-2 and its Delta and Omicron variants. Issue 6 (June 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Lu, Jing; Zhang, Ying; Qi, Dan; Yan, Chunyan; Wu, Benhao; Huang, Jason H.; Yao, Jianwen; Wu, Erxi; Zhang, Guoying
• Is Part Of: Heliyon. Volume 8:Issue 6(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-06
• Subjects: TBrC -- SARS-CoV-2 -- Mpro/3CL -- ACE2 -- Mutant spike proteins -- NF-κB; Research -- Periodicals; Medical sciences -- Periodicals; Natural history -- Periodicals; Social sciences -- Periodicals; Earth sciences -- Periodicals; Physical sciences -- Periodicals; 507.2
• DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2022.e09660
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2405-8440

Abstract

Abstract: Recent research efforts have shown that tea has activities against SARS-CoV-2. However, the active compounds and the action mechanisms are largely unknown. Here we study the inhibitory potential of L-theanine from tea and its semi-synthesized derivative, a small-molecule fluorescent compound, ethyl 6-bromocoumarin-3-carboxylyl L-theanine (TBrC) against infection and replication of SARS-CoV-2 and the underlying mechanisms of action. We reveal that TBrC has potential activities against SARS-CoV-2 in addition to its activity against lung cancer. TBrC showed extracellular inhibition of SARS-CoV-2 M pro /3CL and the host cell receptor ACE2 while interacting with the viral spike glycoproteins (wild-type, Delta, and Omicron mutants). Moreover, TBrC and L-theanine significantly suppressed growth and TNFα-induced nuclear transcriptional activation of NF-κB in human lung cancer cells without affecting the viability of normal lung cells, suggesting a potential protection of TBrC and L-theanine from pulmonary damages in SARS-CoV-2 infected patients, especially for lung cancer patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection. Abstract : TBrC; SARS-CoV-2; M pro /3CL; ACE2; Mutant spike proteins; NF-κB.