ISSN: 2167-0870
Yogesh Arun Dound
The ongoing SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has disrupted health systems worldwide. SARS-CoV-2 is constantly evolving and multiple newer Variants of Concern (VOC) such as Delta and Omicron have emerged. Therefore, there is a need for drugs which can be achieved by targeting the proteins that are conservative and less susceptible to mutations and can initialize T cells activation. The viral polymerases such as PLpro (nsp3), 3CLpro (nsp5), and RdRP (nsp12), proteins critical for viral replication, are highly conserved in RNA viruses. Targeting this unique subset of viral replication proteins may prove effective against a wide range of VOC. Notably, when T cells encounter an antigen that their receptors recognize, they undergo self-replication and produce more immune cells. Hence, the immune characterization and identification of the T-cell immune epitopes for key viral replication protein RdRp (RNA-dependent RNA polymerase) is very important. Previously, we showed the efficacy of Curvic®, a combination of phytoactives in the health management of COVID patients. Various preclinical and clinical studies conducted with Curvic® have shown an increase in T cell counts and overall improved immune response in COVID patients, however, the mechanism was unclear. Herein, we provide data to show that Curvic® inhibits the conservative replication protein RdRp (nsp12), and thereby prevents viral replication and reassembly. Our studies show that Curvic® increases T-cells that have immune epitopes for RdRp (nsp12). Further, we believe that increased T cell count in blood by Curvic® treatment might be the result of T cells selfreplication to produce more immune cells upon encountering and recognizing fragments viral protein RdRp. While, some of these T cells instantly target and destroy infected cells, others may circulate within the body to combat the same infection in the event of its re-emergence and suggest Curvic® to be a promising intervention against SARS-CoV-2, MARS and other Coronavirus infections. The same mechanism can also be attributed to the other viral diseases.