Ebselen is an organoselenium compound exhibiting hydroperoxide- and peroxynitrite-reducing activity, acting as a glutathione peroxidase and peroxiredoxin enzyme mimetic. Ebselen reacts with a multitude of protein thiols, forming a selenosulfide bond, which results in pleiotropic effects of antiviral, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory nature. The main protease (M^pro) of the corona virus SARS-CoV-2 is a potential drug target, and a screen with over 10,000 compounds identified ebselen as a particularly promising inhibitor of M^pro (Jin, Z. et al. (2020) Nature 582, 289–293). We discuss here the reaction of ebselen with cysteine proteases, the role of ebselen in infections with viruses and with other microorganisms. We also discuss effects of ebselen in lung inflammation. In further research on the inhibition of M^pro in SARS-CoV-2, ebselen can serve as a promising lead compound, if the inhibitory effect is confirmed in intact cells in vivo. Independently of this action, potential beneficial effects of ebselen in COVID-19 are ascribed to a number of targets critical to pathogenesis, such as attenuation of inflammatory oxidants and cytokines.

Ebselen 是一种有机硒化合物，具有还原氢过氧化物和过氧亚硝酸盐的活性，充当谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶和过氧化物酶模拟物。依布硒啉与多种蛋白质硫醇反应，形成硒硫键，从而产生抗病毒、抗菌和抗炎等多效性。冠状病毒 SARS-CoV-2 的主要蛋白酶 (M ^{pro ) 是一个潜在的药物靶点，对超过 10,000 种化合物的筛选确定依布硒啉是一种特别有前途的 M pro}抑制剂（Jin, Z. et al. (2020)自然582, 289–293). 我们在此讨论依布硒啉与半胱氨酸蛋白酶的反应，依布硒啉在病毒和其他微生物感染中的作用。我们还讨论了依布硒啉对肺部炎症的影响。^{在对 SARS-CoV-2 中 M pro}抑制的进一步研究中，如果在体内完整细胞中证实了依布硒啉的抑制作用，则依布硒啉可作为一种有前途的先导化合物。独立于这一作用，依布硒啉对 COVID-19 的潜在有益作用归因于许多对发病机制至关重要的靶点，例如炎症氧化剂和细胞因子的减弱。