Breakthrough in COVID-19 Research: Pyrroloquinoline Quinone Shows Potential as Antiviral Agent

Strategic Insights -

Researchers from Mitsubishi Gas Chemical Company Inc. in Niigata, Japan, have made a groundbreaking discovery in the fight against COVID-19. By studying the effects of pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ) on severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), they found that PQQ significantly reduces the virus's infectivity and replication. The team's findings suggest that PQQ could be a valuable addition to existing treatments and prevention strategies for COVID-19.

Key Takeaways:

  • PQQ, a natural compound found in various foods and human breast milk, has been shown to decrease the virion stability and viral replication of SARS-CoV-2.
  • The study used a proxy Feline Infectious Peritonitis Virus (FIPV) to test the effects of PQQ and found that pre- and post-PQQ-treated viruses were less infectious, with an IC of 87.9 and 5.1 mM for pre- and post-PQQ-treated viral infections, respectively.
  • RT-qPCR confirmed the results, and TEM findings showed that PQQ damaged viral capsids and aggregated viral particles, leading to inhibited virus attachment and entry into host cells.
  • PQQ was optimized by the addition of ascorbic acid and glutamic acid, which increased the number of redox cycles of PQQ and increased reactive oxygen species production by 14 times.
  • In vitro, PQQ inhibited 3 CL/M enzymes (an enzyme critical for viral replication) activity of SARS-CoV-2.
  • The study demonstrated the antiviral effect of PQQ on coronavirus, mainly by disrupting virion stability and loss of infectivity, as well as hindering viral replication by 3 CL/M enzyme inhibition.
  • This study demonstrates the potential of PQQ as a natural and effective antiviral agent in the prevention of COVID-19.

Statistics:

  • The IC of 87.9 and 5.1 mM for pre- and post-PQQ-treated viral infections, respectively.
  • 14 times increase in reactive oxygen species production by PQQ with the addition of ascorbic acid and glutamic acid.
  • 3 CL/M enzymes' activity of SARS-CoV-2 inhibited by PQQ in vitro.
  • 100% reduction in infectivity of SARS-CoV-2 in plaque reduction assays.

Sources:

  • Antiviral Effects of Pyrroloquinoline Quinone through Redox Catalysis To Prevent Coronavirus Infection. ACS Omega, 2023;8(47):44839-44849.
  • Mitsubishi Gas Chemical Company, Inc. (2023, December 19). Asia Business Newsweekly, p 10.