Violacein, A Microbial Antiviral Product: Does Play Key Role as Active Agent Against SARS-CoV-2?

Abstract

Violacein, a microbial product was characterized after continuous attempts to feature it, based on degradation and synthesis procedures, at the University of Liverpool (England), from 1958 to 1960 and only at 2001 was chemically synthesized. It is a quite known antimicrobial and antiviral natural product. New attempts to solve the infection caused by, or find the proper therapy for, COVID19, must adopt multidisciplinary approach. The aim of the current study is to address the targets, possible strategies and perspectives of new technologies and therapies on COVID19. It also hypothesizes the potential of using the therapeutic drug called violacein as multifunctional agent to treat patients at different COVID19 contamination stages. Our experience and knowledge about violacein has led us to extrapolate the potential use of this pigment.\xa0 Violacein multiple biological activities as also knowledge on its toxicity and antiviral activity enabled suggesting that it could be the new important agent used to treat COVID19.\xa0 Violacein is highly likely to act as protease inhibitor, at ACE2 receptor level and as immunotherapeutic drug against Covid19. In term of chemotherapy, it will be discussed the actual antiviral used against COVID19, such as, thalidomide, ivermectin and melatonin, among others.