Bromelain inhibits SARS-CoV-2 infection via targeting ACE-2, TMPRSS2, and spike protein

Abstract

The new coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, transmits rapidly from human-to-human resulting in the ongoing pandemic. SARS-CoV-2 infects angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE-2) expressing lung, heart, kidney, intestine, gall bladder, and testicular tissues of patients, leading to organ failure and sometimes death.1, 2 Currently, COVID-19 patients are treated with different agents, including favilavir, remdesivir, chloroquine, hydroxychloroquine, lopinavir, darunavir, and tocilizumab.3, 4 However, the safety and efficacy of those drugs against COVID-19 still need further confirmation by randomized clinical trials. Hence, there is an emergent need to repurpose the existing drugs or develop new virus-based and host-based antivirals against SARS-CoV-2. Bromelain is a cysteine protease isolated from pineapple stem and is used as a dietary supplement for treating patients with pain, inflammation,5 thrombosis,6 and cancer