Destructive effect of RNаse a on the SARS-CoV-2 virus (in vitro research)

BACKGROUND: For today, the most important and discussed issue in the professional medical community is the problem of prevention and treatment of a new coronaviral infection (COVID-19). The main reason for the non-decreasing increase in morbidity and mortality is the absence of an etiotropic drug. In our study, it is proposed to use a previously available drug for the treatment of tick-borne encephalitis, ribonuclease A, obtained from the pancreas of cattle.

AIM: The aim of investigation was to study the antiviral activity of RNаse A against SARS-CoV-2 in in vitro experiments.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: The experiment used samples of 50 patients with a confirmed (by PCR) primary diagnosis of a new coronoviral infection COVID-19. The preparation for the study was served by ribonuclease A (neoFroxx GmbH, Germany) at a concentration of 0.5; 1; 5 and 10 mg/ml, incubated at 4 and 37°C, the exposure was 20 minutes, 20 hours. A set of reagents OTT-PCR-RV-SARS-CoV-2 (Syntol, Russia) was used as test systems.

RESULTS: of the current study is the revealed antiviral activity of ribonuclease A at a minmal concentration of 0.5 mg/ml during incubation from 20 minutes to 20 hours, in the temperature range of 4–37°C.

CONCLUSIONS: The data obtained in the in vitro study confirmed the ability of ribonuclease A to destroy viral RNA, which suggests the possible use of the drug both for the treatment of patients and for the treatment of environmental objects.