Computational Identification of Potential Antiviral Agents Against Monkeypox Virus

Abstract

This study introduces a drug repurposing approach for monkeypox virus using molecular docking and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations to screen clinically approved drugs for other diseases. Potential candidates were analyzed with AutoDock software in two categories: (1) DNA polymerase inhibitors and (2) RNA polymerase inhibitors. Docking analysis identified seven promising compounds—five DNA polymerase and two RNA polymerase inhibitors—showing strong affinity toward monkeypox targets. MD simulations further confirmed their binding stability. Among them, etravirine (−8.04 kcal/mol) and valaciclovir (−7.57 kcal/mol) exhibited the highest affinity to DNA polymerase active sites at residues ASP347 and ASP462. Moreover, emetine dihydrochloride (−7.17 kcal/mol) demonstrated the strongest binding to the catalytic site of RNA polymerase. Consequently, etravirine and emetine dihydrochloride are proposed as potential therapeutics against monkeypox. Since these compounds are already approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for other viral infections, extensive safety testing and high development costs can be avoided, making this repurposing strategy an efficient and cost-effective option for managing monkeypox infection.