Direct Antiviral Effects of Baicalin and Baicalein Against Sars-Cov-2: A Systematic Review Publisher



Ahmadi M¹ ; Shahbahrami R² ; Esfehani MAN³ ; Hosseini SM⁴ ; Khajeh F⁵ ; Raziabad RH¹ ; Nezhadi J⁶ ; Ghanati K¹
Source: Current Nutrition and Food Science Published:2025

Abstract

Background: The search for effective antiviral therapies against the Coronaviridae family, particularly SARS-CoV-2, remains a critical priority. Baicalin and baicalein, natural flavonoid compounds, have shown promising antiviral activity against SARS-CoV-2 in various experimental studies. Methods: This systematic review, encompassing 25 total articles, analyzed the direct antiviral effects of these compounds against SARS-CoV-2, focusing on their inhibitory activity against key viral proteins. Results: Baicalin and baicalein exhibit antiviral activity against SARS-CoV-2, primarily by targeting the main protease (3CLpro) and, to a lesser extent, other viral proteins like RdRp, PLpro, and the spike protein. Baicalein consistently demonstrates superior inhibitory activity with lower IC50 values and higher selectivity indices compared to baicalin. While the article highlights promising antiviral activity, it also notes that baicalein might be a promiscuous Mpro inhibitor and its efficacy may be influenced by the presence of reducing agents like DDT. While baicalein shows potential as a promising antiviral agent, further research is necessary to confirm its in-vivo efficacy, optimize its pharmacokinetic properties, and fully understand its mechanisms of action. Conclusion: Further investigation into the potential for off-target effects, particularly the observed renal toxicity, is also warranted. © 2025 Bentham Science Publishers.