Asunaprevir, a Potent Hepatitis C Virus Protease Inhibitor, Blocks SARS-CoV-2 Propagation

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic has become a global health concern. Various SARS-CoV-2 vaccines have been developed and are being used for vaccination worldwide. However, no therapeutic agents against disease 2019 (COVID-19) so far; therefore, new urgently needed. In the present study, we evaluated several hepatitis C virus direct-acting antivirals as potential candidates drug repurposing COVID-19. Theses include asunaprevir (a protease inhibitor), daclatasvir (an NS5A sofosbuvir RNA polymerase inhibitor). We found that asunaprevir, but not daclatasvir, markedly inhibited SARS-CoV-2-induced cytopathic effects in Vero E6 cells. Both protein levels of were significantly decreased by treatment with asunaprevir. Moreover, profoundly virion release from SARS-CoV-2-infected A pseudoparticle entry assay revealed blocked infection at binding step viral life cycle. Furthermore, propagation human lung Calu-3 Collectively, displays broad-spectrum antiviral activity therefore might be worth developing candidate