Analyzing the Effect of Natural Protease Inhibitor (BBI) on Replication of COVID-19 in Comparison to HIV, using Protein Interaction Studies

COVID-19 is the disease caused by coronavirus, known as SARS2, which has emerged into a pandemic. Many approaches are being made for designing a drug against it. In this study we have studied the replication of COVID-19 and its structural and functional similarities with HIV. The studies conducted before had suggested that the anti-retroviral drugs used in HIV has good affinity towards COVID-19 and hence help in curing it, example: Lopinavir, ritonavir, etc. Similarly in this study we have come across the natural protease inhibitors namely BBI (Bowman Birk Inhibitor) a serine protease inhibitor, from soybean that has inhibitory effects on HIV. The structural similarities between the two suggest that this can also be effective in treating COVID-19. To support this hypothesis the binding affinity of this inhibitor is checked using Hex 8.0.0 and the results are interpretated accordingly. Thus the structural aspects of it can be used as drug targets to treat it.