Journal article

Thapsigargin: key to new host-directed coronavirus antivirals?


Authors listShaban, Mohammed Samer; Mayr-Buro, Christin; Meier-Soelch, Johanna; Albert, Benadict Vincent; Schmitz, M. Lienhard; Ziebuhr, John; Kracht, Michael

Publication year2022

Pages557-568

JournalTrends in Pharmacological Sciences

Volume number43

Issue number7

ISSN0165-6147

eISSN1873-3735

Open access statusHybrid

DOI Linkhttps://doi.org/10.1016/j.tips.2022.04.004

PublisherCell Press


Abstract
Despite the great success of vaccines that protect against RNA virus infections, and the development and clinical use of a limited number of RNA virus-specific drugs, there is still an urgent need for new classes of antiviral drugs against circulating or emerging RNA viruses. To date, it has proved difficult to efficiently suppress RNA virus replication by targeting host cell functions, and there are no approved drugs of this type. This opinion article discusses the recent discovery of a pronounced and sustained antiviral activity of the plant-derived natural compound thapsigargin against enveloped RNA viruses such as severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV), and influenza A virus. Based on its mechanisms of action, thapsigargin represents a new prototype of compounds with multimodal host-directed antiviral activity.



Citation Styles

Harvard Citation styleShaban, M., Mayr-Buro, C., Meier-Soelch, J., Albert, B., Schmitz, M., Ziebuhr, J., et al. (2022) Thapsigargin: key to new host-directed coronavirus antivirals?, Trends in Pharmacological Sciences, 43(7), pp. 557-568. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tips.2022.04.004

APA Citation styleShaban, M., Mayr-Buro, C., Meier-Soelch, J., Albert, B., Schmitz, M., Ziebuhr, J., & Kracht, M. (2022). Thapsigargin: key to new host-directed coronavirus antivirals?. Trends in Pharmacological Sciences. 43(7), 557-568. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tips.2022.04.004


Last updated on 2025-10-06 at 11:40