A review on computational studies and bioinformatics analysis of potential drugs against monkeypox virus

J Biomol Struct Dyn. 2024 Aug;42(12):6091-6107. doi: 10.1080/07391102.2023.2231542. Epub 2023 Jul 4.

Abstract

Monkeypox, a viral disease that is caused by monkeypox virus and occurs mainly in central and western Africa. However, recently it is spreading worldwide and took the focus of the scientific world towards it. Therefore, we made an attempt to cluster all the related information that may make it easy for the researchers to get the information easily and carry out their research smoothly to find prophylaxis against this emerging virus. There are very few researches found available on monkeypox. Almost all the studies were focused on smallpox virus and the recommended vaccines and therapeutics for monkeypox virus were originally developed for smallpox virus. Though these are recommended for emergency cases, they are not fully effective and specific against monkeypox. For this, here we also took the help of bioinformatics tools to screen potential drug candidates against this growing burden. Some potential antiviral plant metabolites, inhibitors and available drugs were scrutinized that can block the essential survival proteins of this virus. All the compounds Amentoflavone, Pseudohypericin, Adefovirdipiboxil, Fialuridin, Novobiocin and Ofloxacin showed elite binding efficiency with suitable ADME properties and Amentoflavone and Pseudohypericin showed stability in MD simulation study indicating their potency as probable drugs against this emerging virus.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.

Keywords: MD simulation; Monkeypox; bioinformatics; molecular docking; review.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antiviral Agents* / chemistry
  • Antiviral Agents* / pharmacology
  • Computational Biology* / methods
  • Humans
  • Molecular Docking Simulation
  • Molecular Dynamics Simulation
  • Monkeypox virus* / chemistry
  • Monkeypox virus* / drug effects
  • Mpox, Monkeypox / drug therapy
  • Mpox, Monkeypox / virology

Substances

  • Antiviral Agents