Organic Compound “Salen” May Potentially Help in the Development of COVID-19 Cure and Treatments

Scientists observed how the organic compound salen effectively binds several COVID-19 proteins. According to SciTechDaily, scientists used molecular docking to show how the compound binds to nsp14, a protein that is non-structural and hinders destroying the virus. This discovery can help develop novel infection and antiviral treatments and drugs.

The study was published in the Polycyclic Aromatic Compounds publication.

Salen's Potential Capacities Against COVID-19 Proteins

Research engineer Damir Safin expressed how the primary focus of the study was the popular compound, salen. The researchers expressed how they attempted to assess how salen would fare against COVID-19 proteins that cause the illness.

They discovered how salen might interact with the focused proteins. Among these proteins, the best results were observed in nsp14.

Salen's Function Across Different Applications

According to SciTechDaily, salen is a particular "tetradentate Schiff base" taken from ethylene diamine and salicylaldehyde. Chem Europe also notes how the compound's name is a contraction of the stated beta hydroxy acid and compound.

The salen compound, as well as its derivatives, is a crucial ligand across various applications. The organic substance can synchronize particular metals. Besides that, it also can maintain the metals' stability across different oxidation states. Metal compounds that are complex and are salen derivatives also get employed as catalysts.

Found within the salen compound are two atoms of hydrogen from hydroxyl groups. Each atom is armed with the capacity to move or adjust the placement of a nitrogen atom. This, in turn, leads to alterations in the molecule's shape. Such a process is referred to as tautomerization, while the participants are referred to as tautomeric forms or tautomers.

Springboard for Future Research on Salen's Potential to Fight COVID-19 Proteins

According to Eureka Alert, Damir Safin notes how the team looked into the probable interaction between COVID-19 proteins and salen tautometers in order to pinpoint the most preferable tautomeric form when it comes to protein interaction effectiveness.

While the findings bear significant potential, Safin notes that their research is but an initial step in knowing how salen can play a role in combating COVID-19. More research efforts need to be extended in order to know more about this probable capacity and come up with a definitive conclusion.

However, while the potential of the focused compound still requires further investigation, the study's findings yielded optimism regarding how salen could play a role in the cure and treatment of the virus behind the pandemic.

Check out more news and information on COVID-19 in Science Times.