The green tea catechin epigallocatechin gallate inhibits SARS-CoV- 2 infection

Abstract

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV- 2) infection has caused a pandemic with tens of millions of cases and more than a million deaths. The infection causes COVID-19, a disease of the respiratory system of divergent severity. No treatment exists. Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), the major component of green tea, has several beneficial properties, including antiviral activities. Therefore, we examined whether EGCG has antiviral activity against SARS-CoV- 2. EGCG blocked not only the entry of SARS-CoV- 2, but also MERS- and SARS-CoV pseudotyped lentiviral vectors and inhibited virus infections in vitro. Mechanistically, inhibition of the SARS-CoV- 2 spike-receptor interaction was observed. Thus, EGCG might be suitable for use as a lead structure to develop more effective anti-COVID- 19 drugs.