Antiviral efficacy of heparan sulfate and enoxaparin sodium against SARS-CoV-2.

As the world transitions from the acute phase of the COVID-19 pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2, the scientific community continues to explore various therapeutic avenues to control its spread and mitigate its ongoing effects. Among the promising candidates are heparan sulfate (HS) and enoxaparin (EX), which have emerged as potential virus inhibitors. HS, a type of glycosaminoglycan, plays a prominent role in the attachment of the virus to host cells. At the same time, EX, a low-molecular-weight heparin, is being investigated for its ability to disrupt the interaction between the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 and the ACE2 receptor in human cells. Understanding the mechanisms through which these substances operate could lay the foundation for new strategies in the ongoing management of COVID-19. This study aimed to examine the details of SARS-CoV-2's entry mechanisms and the role of HS in this process. Furthermore, it examines EX's mechanism of action, highlighting how it potentially inhibits SARS-CoV-2. The interactions between HS and the virus, alongside in-vitro and in-silico inhibition studies with HS and EX, are critically analyzed to assess their antiviral efficacy. Additionally, the antiviral activity of sulfated polysaccharides and the potential therapeutic applications of these findings are discussed.