EXPLORING COUMARIN DERIVATIVES AS NOVEL ANTIVIRAL AGENTS TARGETING TMPRSS2: A MULTIDISCIPLINARY APPROACH FOR RESPIRATORY VIRAL DISEASE TREATMENT

The recent emergence of the new coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, which triggered a global pandemic of severe acute respiratory syndrome, has highlighted the need to develop new antiviral treatments. In this context, the human serine protease TMPRSS2, implicated in the entry mechanism of several viruses, including specific strains of influenza and coronaviruses, has emerged as a target of significant interest.

Preliminary in vitro and in silico results from our chemical library suggest that appropriately substituted coumarin derivatives could present a promising solution. Our main objective is to prepare coumarin derivatives substituted with a basic functional group and a leaving group at the 6-position of the coumarin ring.

To guide our synthesis, tests using isolated enzymes will be conducted, providing essential insights into the selectivity and activity of these compounds. Furthermore, a comprehensive assessment of the cytotoxicity of these compounds will play a crucial role in guiding our synthesis.

Finally, these new compounds will undergo testing against several viral strains to assess their antiviral activity. This multidisciplinary approach aims to identify promising antiviral agents that would significantly expand the options available for the treatment of respiratory diseases. These compounds could also play a fundamental role in the prevention and management of future pandemics.