Coronaviruses are extremely susceptible to genetic changes due to the characteristic features of the genome structure, life cycle and environmental pressure. Their remarkable variability means that they can infect many different species of animals and cause different disease symptoms. Moreover, in some situations, coronaviruses might be transmitted across species. Although they are commonly found in farm, companion and wild animals, causing clinical and sometimes serious signs resulting in significant economic losses, not all of them have been classified by the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) as hazardous and included on the list of notifiable diseases. Currently, only three diseases caused by coronaviruses are on the OIE list of notifiable terrestrial and aquatic animal diseases. However, none of these three entails any administrative measures. The emergence of the SARS-CoV-2 infections that have caused the COVID-19 pandemic in humans has proved that the occurrence and variability of coronaviruses is highly underestimated in the animal reservoir and reminded us of the critical importance of the One Health approach. Therefore, domestic and wild animals should be intensively monitored, both to broaden our knowledge of the viruses circulating among them and to understand the mechanisms of the emergence of viruses of relevance to animal and human health.

In this study, the side effects of some anti-covid-19 drugs (Favipiravir and Dexamethasone) were evaluated through the pathological, and clinicopathological changes in the tissues of rats. 30 rats were divided into 6 groups (Gp1- control), (Gp2 received 0.54 mg/kg dexamethasone), (Gp3 received 200 mg/kg favipiravir), (Gp4 received 400 mg/kg favipiravir), (Gp5 received 200 mg/kg favipiravir + 0.54 mg/kg dexamethasone) and (Gp6 received 400 mg/kg favipiravir + 0.54 mg/kg dexamethasone). The histopathological and clinical results showed that both favipiravir and dexamethasone-induced lesions in the liver, kidney, and lung as well as increased liver functions (alanine transaminase, aspartate aminotransferase, and C-reactive protein) and kidney functions (Urea and creatinine). Also increased oxidative stress parameters such as malondialdehyde and decreased antioxidants in liver, and kidney tissues. The gene expression in splenic tissues showed an increase in NF-kb, IL6, and TNF when animals were exposed to 400 mg/kg favipiravir. While these genes (NF-kb, IL6, and TNF) decreased when animals received a combination of favipiravir with dexamethasone. In gp3, hydropic degeneration was noted in both the kidney and liver. In Gp4, necrotic changes in the liver, and vacuolation of the renal glomerular tufts were observed. In Gp5, the necrotic hepatic tissues were infiltrated with mononuclear cells, and necrosis and inflammation in renal tubules in the kidney were shown. In gp6, leukocytic infiltration was noted in both the kidney and liver. In conclusion, the anti-Covid-19 drugs could induce pathological changes in the internal organs of the rat.

In recent times drug repurposing has gained interest over the traditional drug discovery due to reduction in time and cost of development of new drug. Drug repurposing approach has given promising drug candidates for various viral diseases like COVID 19, Ebola, Zika, Dengue, Influenza, HIV, Herpes, etc. Ontarget and off-target are the two basic strategies of drug repurposing. Macrolide, Artemisinin, Quinoline antiparasitic drugs are some of the drugs repurposed against cancer and drugs like thalidomide are repurposed against COVID-19 infection. Repurposing of veterinary drugs like ivermectin, levamisole and benzemidazole group of antiparasitic drugs are also under consideration. This review elaborates repurposing of antihypertensive drugs like angiotensin- converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEI), angiotensin-receptor blockers (ARBs), β-blockers as anti- neoplastic drugs, anti-diabetic drugs against Alzheimer’s disease, fluorophenyl benzimidazole (FPD) as antihypertensive drug, thalidomide against COVID-19 infection, levamisole as antineoplastic drug, benzimidazole as anti-cryptococcal drug and some other new drugs. Usage of in silico techniques and pharmacophore modeling strategies can further accelerate the process of drug repurposing. The drug repurposing strategies significantly minimize research and development costs, provide greater chances of success, shorter research time and lower investment risk.

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the causative agent for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. COVID-19 is contagious and fatal to humans. In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, significant concerns on food safety and security are rising due to potential interspecies transmission. As such, surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 on imported meat and animal parts is carried out and reported in this study to safeguard food safety and security. Overall, none of the 225 samples from various livestock (buffaloes, cattle, goat and pig) imported from seven countries were tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 with quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) from July 2020 to November 2021. This study finding serves as a baseline data for SARS-CoV-2 in imported meat and animal parts. Notably, this study accentuated the importance of active surveillance to prevent zoonosis and to safeguard food safety and security.

Objective: Despite the development of several vaccines against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2, the need for an additional prophylactic agent is evident. In recent in silico studies, isovitexin exhibited a higher binding affinity against the human angiotensin converting-enzyme 2 (hACE2) receptor than existing antiviral drugs. The research aimed to find out the point specificity of isovitexin for the hACE2 receptor and to assess its therapeutic potential, depending on the stability of the isovitexin–hACE2 complex. Materials and Methods: The pharmacokinetic profile of isovitexin was analyzed. The crystal structure of the hACE2 receptor and the ligand isovitexin were docked to form a ligand-protein complex following molecular optimization. To determine the isovitexin–hACE2 complex stability, their binding affinity, hydrogen bonding, and hydrophobic interactions were studied. Lastly, the root mean square deviation (RMSD), root mean square fluctuation, solvent accessible surface area, molecular surface area, radius of gyration (Rg), polar surface area, and principal component analysis values were found by simulating the complex with molecular dynamic (MD). Results: The predicted Lethal dose50 for isovitexin was 2.56 mol/kg, with an acceptable maximum tolerated dose and no hepatotoxicity or AMES toxicity. Interactions with the amino acid residues Thr371, Asp367, Glu406, Pro346, His345, Phe274, Tyr515, Glu375, Thr347, Glu402, and His374 of the hACE2 protein were required for the high binding affinity and specificity of isovitexin. Based on what was learned from the MD simulation, the hACE2 receptor-blocking properties of isovi¬texin were looked at. Conclusions: Isovitexin is a phytochemical with a reasonable bioactivity and safety profile for use in humans, and it can potentially be used as a hACE2-specific therapeutic to inhibit COVID-19 infection. [J Adv Vet Anim Res 2022; 9(2.000): 230-240]