The Revelation of Various Compounds Found in Nigella sativa L. (Black Cumin) and Their Possibility to Inhibit COVID-19 Infection Based on the Molecular Docking and Physical Properties

Yaseen Ismail Shaikh*2,Email

Viquar Sameer Shaikh1,3

Khursheed Ahmed2

Gulam M. Nazeruddin2

Habib M. Pathan1

1Advanced Physics Laboratory, Department of Physics, 

Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune – 411007

2Department of Chemistry, Abeda Inamdar Sr. College, Pune-1

3Department of Chemistry, Nowrosjee Wadia College, Pune-1.

Abstract

As there is no specified drug available to fight COVID-19, it is essential to have a different strategy to fight this virus. In the present study, using molecular docking, we have identified possible protease inhibitors of COVID-19 by the molecules present in Nigella sativa L. (black cumin), which is a reputed healing herb extensively used for processing Ayurvedic and Unani remedies. Herein, we perform molecular docking and study of various physical properties/descriptors of four derivatives of thymoquinone found in the essential oil of the said seeds and they are compared with the docking results of chloroquine to determine its potential against COVID-19 infection.

The Revelation of Various Compounds Found in Nigella sativa L. (Black Cumin) and Their Possibility to Inhibit COVID-19 Infection Based on the Molecular Docking and Physical Properties