RHUBARB REVISITED: A TRADITIONAL REMEDY FINDS NEW POTENTIAL AGAINST SARS-CОV-2 MAIN PROTEASE

The main protease of the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2 Mpro) is a promising target for the development of antiviral drugs. Plant-derived compounds represent a substantial source for bioactive molecules with diverse pharmacological properties, including antiviral activity. Rhubarb (Rheum x hybridum) has long been known for its medicinal uses. In this preliminary study, we investigated the inhibitory potential of rhubarb juice at varying concentrations against SARS-CoV-2 Mpro using a bacterial screening system based on changes in β-galactosidase activity in response to the use of various SARS-CoV-2 Mpro inhibitors, with colorimetric detection on X-gal-containing media. Results from the colorimetric assay indicated that higher concentrations of rhubarb juice correlated with reduced SARS-CoV-2 Mpro activity, suggesting dose-dependent inhibition. Further studies are required to isolate and test individual bioactive compounds from rhubarb, and to validate these findings in cellular and in vivo models