Recently, Doctor Li Jian from the School of Pharmacy of GMU, in cooperation with Zhang Jin from Nanchang University, published the academic paper “Crystal Structure of SARS-CoV-2 Main Protease in Complex with a Chinese Herb Inhibitor Shikonin” on the academic journal “BioRxiv”. The research reported the crystal structure of SARS-CoV-2 main protease in complex with a Chinese herb inhibitor shikonin and revealed the molecular mechanism of shikonin in inhibiting novel coronavirus main protease. They found out that the binding mode of shikonin in the binding pocket was very unique, which was different from the existing binding mode of small-molecule inhibitors, and has important significance for drug development targeting the main protease.
    The research is one of the significant achievements of GMU’s COVID-19 Emergency Project.