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Direct Antiviral Effects of Baicalin and Baicalein Against Sars-Cov-2: A Systematic Review Publisher



Ahmadi M1 ; Shahbahrami R2 ; Esfehani MAN3 ; Hosseini SM4 ; Khajeh F5 ; Raziabad RH1 ; Nezhadi J6 ; Ghanati K1
Authors
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Authors Affiliations
  1. 1. Student Research Committee (Department and Faculty of Nutrition Sciences and Food Technology), Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
  2. 2. Research Center for Clinical Virology, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
  3. 3. Department of Virology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
  4. 4. Department of Food Science and Technology, National Nutrition and Food Technology Research Institute, Faculty of Nutrition Sciences and Food Technology, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
  5. 5. Department of Environmental Health Engineering, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
  6. 6. Student Research Committee, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran

Source: Current Nutrition and Food Science Published:2025


Abstract

Background: The search for effective antiviral therapies against the Coronaviridae family, particularly SARS-CoV-2, remains a critical priority. Baicalin and baicalein, natural flavonoid compounds, have shown promising antiviral activity against SARS-CoV-2 in various experimental studies. Methods: This systematic review, encompassing 25 total articles, analyzed the direct antiviral effects of these compounds against SARS-CoV-2, focusing on their inhibitory activity against key viral proteins. Results: Baicalin and baicalein exhibit antiviral activity against SARS-CoV-2, primarily by targeting the main protease (3CLpro) and, to a lesser extent, other viral proteins like RdRp, PLpro, and the spike protein. Baicalein consistently demonstrates superior inhibitory activity with lower IC50 values and higher selectivity indices compared to baicalin. While the article highlights promising antiviral activity, it also notes that baicalein might be a promiscuous Mpro inhibitor and its efficacy may be influenced by the presence of reducing agents like DDT. While baicalein shows potential as a promising antiviral agent, further research is necessary to confirm its in-vivo efficacy, optimize its pharmacokinetic properties, and fully understand its mechanisms of action. Conclusion: Further investigation into the potential for off-target effects, particularly the observed renal toxicity, is also warranted. © 2025 Bentham Science Publishers.
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