Effective Fragrance Molecules and Essential Oils: A Potential Relief for COVID-19
Natural Product Communications, cilt.21, sa.9, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)
- Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
- Cilt numarası: 21 Sayı: 9
- Basım Tarihi: 2026
- Doi Numarası: 10.1177/1934578x261487547
- Dergi Adı: Natural Product Communications
- Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, Chemical Abstracts Core, EMBASE, Directory of Open Access Journals, Academic Search Ultimate (EBSCO)
- Anahtar Kelimeler: antiviral fragrance molecules, essential oils, in-vivo study, lung injury, molecular docking, SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19)
- Gazi Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet
Özet
Objectives: Essential oils and their chemical constituents are recognized for their antimicrobial properties against many infections. In this study, some molecules of essential oils are identified as potentially effective on the MPro of SARS-CoV-2 and as a BRD2 inhibitors. These essential oils were combined in an optimum formulation as (Anti-COV19-VERS4). This study evaluates the role of Anti-COV19-VERS4, in preventing Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) contagiousness and its secondary effects on infected tissues by in-vivo experiments. Methods: Anti-COV19-VERS4 is formulated based on molecular docking studies. Following cytotoxic and antiviral dose determination, SARS-CoV-2 infected transgenic mice were treated with Anti-COV19-VERS4 spray. RT-qPCR was used to detect viral load and histopathologic analysis was performed. The experiment was terminated on the days of 5 and 6 when SARS-CoV-2 infection peaked. RT-qPCR was used to detect viral load and histopathologic analysis was performed. Two-way ANOVA and Student’s t-tests were used for statistical analysis. Results: Cytotoxicity and neutralization assays revealed that the most effective dilution of Anti-COV19-VERS4 showing cytopathic effect (CPE) was 1/2600 and the 24-hour CC50 dose was 0.0154 mg/L. During in-vivo trials, 3 out of 14 mice in the control group died due to infection. The virus load of the Anti-COV19-VERS4 spray group on day 6 decreased compared to the control group. Moreover, lung injury scores for the Anti-COV19-VERS4 spray group were significantly lower than the control group on the 6th day (p<0.05). This study demonstrates that Anti-COV19-VERS4 may be useful for preventing the contagiousness of SARS-CoV-2 and relieving lung injury. Conclusion: Anti-COV19-VERS4 may be helpful as a cost-effective and efficacious adjunctive therapy for SARS-CoV-2.