Synthesis of compounds with potential biomedical activity: SARS-CoV-2 main protease inhibitors and ABA analogs

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic, caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, has increased the development of new antiviral drugs to stop its spread. This work focused on synthesizing specific inhibitors of the Mpro protease, crucial for the virus replication. Compounds with a nitroalkene-type "warhead" were synthesized, showing promising inhibitory activity against this enzyme. Additionally, inhibitors with a keto vinyl sulfone-type "warhead" were synthesized, showing variable inhibition trends against Mpro, CatL, and rhodesain. Furthermore, an ABA antagonist was synthesized, delaying shoot development and fruit generation, offering potential improvements in crop yield. Lastly, fluorescent derivatives of ABA were synthesized, shedding light on its cellular mechanisms. These findings contribute to the development of antiviral drugs and highlight the diverse roles of ABA beyond plants, potentially benefiting human health.