Anti-HIV and anti-HCV small molecule protease inhibitors in-silico repurposing against SARS-CoV-2 M^pro for the treatment of COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). It is a global health emergency warranting development and implementation of targeted treatment. The enzyme main protease (Mpro; also known as 3C-like protease) is emerging as an attractive drug target. This enzyme plays an indispensable role in processing the translated polyproteins of viral RNA. Inhibiting the activity of Mpro would wedge viral...