Characterization, in-silico, and in-vitro study of a new steroid derivative from Ophiocoma dentata as a potential treatment for COVID-19

The medicinal potential of marine invertebrates' bioactive components that may act as anti-COVID-19 demonstrated promising results. Ophiocoma dentata, which is common in the Red Sea, is one such source. Therefore, this study aimed to isolate a new compound from the brittle star, Ophiocoma dentata, and evaluate its efficacy as anti-COVID-19 in-silico and in-vitro. Standard procedures were followed in order to assess the isolated compound’s preliminary toxicity and anti-inflammatory properties. Computer virtual screening technology through molecular docking and ADMET studies was conducted as well as a new steroid derivative was isolated for the first time, named 5α-cholesta-4(27), 24-dien-3β, 23 β-diol. Investigation of the Anti-Covid-19 activity of the isolated compound using a Plaque reduction assay revealed 95% inhibition at a concentration of 5 ng/µl (12.48 µM). Moreover, this compound showed an IC50 of 11,350 ± 1500 ng/ml against the normal fibroblast cells, indicating its safety. Interestingly, this compound exhibited anti-inflammatory activity with an IC50 of 51.92 ± 0.03 μg/ml compared to a reference drug’s IC50 of 53.64 ± 0.01 μg/ml, indicating that this compound is a potent anti-inflammatory. In silico data have proved that the isolated compound is a promising viral inhibitor against SARS-CoV2 and is thus recommended as a future nature preventive and curative antiviral drug.