Reports of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

en Protective Effects of Liposomal Vitamin C on SARS-CoV-2 Target Viral Entry Genes in Renal Cells میکروب شناسی Microbiology مقالات اصلی Original Article <div style="text-align: justify;">Background: The kidneys are a potential target for SARS-CoV-2 infection. Ascorbic acid (vitamin C) has been shown to play an important role in reducing the symptoms of SARS-CoV-2. Recently liposomal drug delivery platforms have demonstrated promising results in enhancing the effectiveness of various therapeutics including infectious diseases. In this study, we designed a liposomal delivery system containing vitamin C to evaluate its antiviral efficacy in COVID-19, focusing on its effects on viral entry gene expression in Vero cells. Methods: Vitamin C was loaded into a liposome made up of hydrogenated soybean phosphatidylcholine, cholesterol, and 1,2‐distearoyl‐sn‐glycero‐3 phosphoethanolamine‐N‐[methoxy (polyethylene glycol)‐2000], and their physicochemical properties were assessed. Next, the cytotoxicity of free and liposomal vitamin C on the survival of the Vero cell line was evaluated using the MTT assay. In addition, the expression of viral entry genes, angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) and transmembrane protease serine 2 (TMPRSS2), key mediators of SARS-CoV-2 entry into kidney cells, was investigated using RTq-PCR. Results: Liposomes were successfully loaded with vitamin C, achieving an encapsulation efficiency of 88.03%. The liposomal vitamin C formulation exhibited a brilliant surface morphology as observed by SEM. Both free and liposomal forms of vitamin C showed cytotoxic effects at higher concentrations. Moreover, both forms downregulated the expression of viral entry genes, although the liposomal form showed superior inhibitory performance compared to the free form. Conclusion: The study suggests liposomal vitamin C as a safe, effective treatment for COVID-19 by targeting viral entry genes in kidney cells, protecting them from viral damage and inflammation.</div> Ascorbic Acid, COVID-19, Liposomes, Renal Cells, Viral Entry. 484 494 http://rbmb.net/browse.php?a_code=A-10-1625-1&slc_lang=en&sid=1 Abtin Behmardi 100319475328460021442 100319475328460021442 No Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Research Institute for Prevention of Non-Communicable Disease, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran. Leila Zolghadr 100319475328460021443 100319475328460021443 No Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Research Institute for Prevention of Non-Communicable Disease, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran & Department of Chemistry, Imam Khomeini International University, Qazvin, Iran. Farzad Rajaei 100319475328460021444 100319475328460021444 No Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Research Institute for Prevention of Non-Communicable Disease, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran. Saeideh Gholamzadeh Khoei 100319475328460021445 100319475328460021445 No Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Research Institute for Prevention of Non-Communicable Disease, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran. Nematollah Gheibi n_gheibi@qums.ac.ir 100319475328460021446 100319475328460021446 Yes Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Research Institute for Prevention of Non-Communicable Disease, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran.