Antidepressant-like effect of dehydrozingerone from Zingiber officinale by elevating monoamines in brain: in silico and in vivo studies

Abstract Background Dehydrozingerone (DHZ) is an active ingredient of Zingiber officinale and structural half analogue of curcumin. In the present study, DHZ was evaluated for monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitory activity in silico and antidepressant activity in vivo. Method The binding affinity of DHZ with MAO-A (PDB ID: 2Z5Y) was assessed using Schrodinger's Maestro followed by free energy calculation, pharmacokinetic property prediction using Qikprop and Molecular dynamics simulation using Desmond. In vivo antidepressant activity of DHZ was evaluated on C57 BL/6 male mice using Escilatopram as the standard antidepressant. Open field test (OFT), forced swimming test (FST) and tail suspension test (TST) were used to evaluate the antidepressant effect of the drugs on days 1 and 7. Following the behavioural study, neurotransmitters (noradrenaline, dopamine and serotonin) were estimated using liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry. Results DHZ demonstrated a greater binding affinity for the MAO-A enzyme compared to moclobemide in silico. Immobility in TST and FST were significantly (p < 0.05) reduced in vivo with 100mg/kg DHZ as compared to respective controls. DHZ treatment was more effective 1 h post treatment compared to vehicle control. A significant increase in levels of neurotransmitters was observed in mice brain homogenate in response to DHZ treatment, reassuring its antidepressant-like potential. Conclusion DHZ demonstrated MAO-A inhibition in silico, and the increased neurotransmitter levels in the brain in vivo were associated with an antidepressant-like effect.

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In silico Screening of Natural Phytocompounds Towards Identification of Potential Lead Compounds to Treat COVID-19

Frontiers in Molecular Biosciences ◽

10.3389/fmolb.2021.637122 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 8 ◽

Author(s):

Muthumanickam Sankar ◽

Balajee Ramachandran ◽

Boomi Pandi ◽

Nachiappan Mutharasappan ◽

Vidhyavathi Ramasamy ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Binding Affinity ◽

Conformational Changes ◽

Viral Entry ◽

In Silico ◽

Binding Free Energy ◽

Curcuma Longa ◽

Zingiber Officinale ◽

Dynamics Simulation ◽

Piper Nigrum ◽

The Stability

COVID-19 is one of the members of the coronavirus family that can easily assail humans. As of now, 10 million people are infected and above two million people have died from COVID-19 globally. Over the past year, several researchers have made essential advances in discovering potential drugs. Up to now, no efficient drugs are available on the market. The present study aims to identify the potent phytocompounds from different medicinal plants (Zingiber officinale, Cuminum cyminum, Piper nigrum, Curcuma longa, and Allium sativum). In total, 227 phytocompounds were identified and screened against the proteins S-ACE2 and Mpro through structure-based virtual screening approaches. Based on the binding affinity score, 30 active phytocompounds were selected. Amongst, the binding affinity for beta-sitosterol and beta-elemene against S-ACE2 showed −12.0 and −10.9 kcal/mol, respectively. Meanwhile, the binding affinity for beta-sitosterol and beta-chlorogenin against Mpro was found to be −9.7 and −8.4 kcal/mol, respectively. Further, the selected compounds proceeded with molecular dynamics simulation, prime MM-GBSA analysis, and ADME/T property checks to understand the stability, interaction, conformational changes, binding free energy, and pharmaceutical relevant parameters. Moreover, the hotspot residues such as Lys31 and Lys353 for S-ACE2 and catalytic dyad His41 and Cys145 for Mpro were actively involved in the inhibition of viral entry. From the in silico analyses, we anticipate that this work could be valuable to ongoing novel drug discovery with potential treatment for COVID-19.

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Screening marine algae metabolites as high-affinity inhibitors of SARS-CoV-2 main protease (3CLpro): an in silico analysis to identify novel drug candidates to combat COVID-19 pandemic

Applied Biological Chemistry ◽

10.1186/s13765-020-00564-4 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 63 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Ghazala Muteeb ◽

Adil Alshoaibi ◽

Mohammad Aatif ◽

Md. Tabish Rehman ◽

M. Zuhaib Qayyum

Keyword(s):

Hydrophobic Interactions ◽

In Silico Analysis ◽

Salt Bridge ◽

Competitive Inhibitor ◽

Binding Energies ◽

Dynamics Simulation ◽

In Vivo Studies ◽

Energy Calculation

AbstractThe recent dissemination of SARS-CoV-2 from Wuhan city to all over the world has created a pandemic. COVID-19 has cost many human lives and created an enormous economic burden. Although many drugs/vaccines are in different stages of clinical trials, still none is clinically available. We have screened a marine seaweed database (1110 compounds) against 3CLpro of SARS-CoV-2 using computational approaches. High throughput virtual screening was performed on compounds, and 86 of them with docking score < − 5.000 kcal mol−1 were subjected to standard-precision docking. Based on binding energies (< − 6.000 kcal mol−1), 9 compounds were further shortlisted and subjected to extra-precision docking. Free energy calculation by Prime-MM/GBSA suggested RC002, GA004, and GA006 as the most potent inhibitors of 3CLpro. An analysis of ADMET (Absorption, Distribution, Metabolism, Excretion, and Toxicity) properties of RC002, GA004, and GA006 indicated that only RC002 (callophysin A, from red alga Callophycus oppositifolius) passed Lipinski’s, Veber’s, PAINS and Brenk’s filters and displayed drug-like and lead-like properties. Analysis of 3CLpro-callophysin A complex revealed the involvement of salt bridge, hydrogen bonds, and hydrophobic interactions. callophysin A interacted with the catalytic residues (His41 and Cys145) of 3CLpro; hence it may act as a mechanism-based competitive inhibitor. Docking energy and docking affinity of callophysin A towards 3CLpro was − 8.776 kcal mol−1 and 2.73 × 106 M−1, respectively. Molecular dynamics simulation confirmed the stability of the 3CLpro-callophysin A complex. The findings of this study may serve as the basis for further validation by in vitro and in vivo studies.

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In Silico Studies and In Vivo MAOA Inhibitory Activity of Coumarins Isolated from Angelica archangelica Extract: An Approach toward Antidepressant Activity

ACS Omega ◽

10.1021/acsomega.0c00887 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 5 (25) ◽

pp. 15069-15076 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Anudeep Kaur ◽

Saweta Garg ◽

Bilal Ahmad Shiekh ◽

Nirmal Singh ◽

Palwinder Singh ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Inhibitory Activity ◽

In Silico ◽

Antidepressant Activity ◽

Angelica Archangelica ◽

In Silico Studies

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Antidepressant Potential of Lotus corniculatus L. subsp. corniculatus: An Ethnobotany Based Approach

Molecules ◽

10.3390/molecules25061299 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 25 (6) ◽

pp. 1299

Author(s):

Fatma Tuğçe Gürağaç Dereli ◽

Haroon Khan ◽

Eduardo Sobarzo-Sánchez ◽

Esra Küpeli Akkol

Keyword(s):

Antidepressant Activity ◽

Tail Suspension Test ◽

Lotus Corniculatus ◽

Antidepressant Effect ◽

In Vivo Test ◽

Aerial Parts ◽

Test Models ◽

Bioassay Guided Fractionation

As a Turkish traditional medicinal plant, aerial parts of Lotus corniculatus L. subsp. corniculatus (Fabaceae) are used as a painkiller, antihemoroidal, diuretic and sedative. In this study, the antidepressant potential of the plant has been attempted to clarify. Extracts with water, n-Hexane, ethyl acetate, and methanol were prepared respectively from the aerial parts. Antidepressant activity of the extracts were researched by using three different in vivo test models namely a tail suspension test, antagonism of tetrabenazine-induced hypothermia, ptosis, and suppression of locomotor activity and forced swimming test on male BALB/c mice and in vitro monoamine oxidase (MAO)-A and B inhibition assays. The results were evaluated through comparing with control and reference groups, and then active compounds of the active extract have been determined. Bioassay-guided fractionation of active fraction led to the isolation of three compounds and structures of the compounds were elucidated by spectroscopic methods. The data of this study demonstrate that the MeOH extract of the aerial parts of the plant showed remarkable in vivo antidepressant effect and the isolated compounds medicarpin-3-O-glucoside, gossypetin-3-O-glucoside and naringenin-7-O-glucoside (prunin) from the active sub-fractions could be responsible for the activity. Further mechanistic and toxicity studies are planned to develop new antidepressant-acting drugs.

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In-silico Molecular Docking and ADME/Pharmacokinetic Prediction Studies of Some Novel Carboxamide Derivatives as Anti-tubercular Agents

Chemistry Africa ◽

10.1007/s42250-020-00162-3 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 3 (4) ◽

pp. 989-1000

Author(s):

Mustapha Abdullahi ◽

Shola Elijah Adeniji

Keyword(s):

Molecular Docking ◽

Binding Affinity ◽

In Silico ◽

Density Functional ◽

Docking Simulation ◽

Basis Set ◽

Hybrid Functional ◽

Standard Drug

AbstractMolecular docking simulation of thirty-five (35) molecules of N-(2-phenoxy)ethyl imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine-3-carboxamide (IPA) with Mycobacterium tuberculosis target (DNA gyrase) was carried out so as to evaluate their theoretical binding affinities. The chemical structure of the molecules was accurately drawn using ChemDraw Ultra software, then optimized at density functional theory (DFT) using Becke’s three-parameter Lee–Yang–Parr hybrid functional (B3LYP/6-311**) basis set in a vacuum of Spartan 14 software. Subsequently, the docking operation was carried out using PyRx virtual screening software. Molecule 35 (M35) with the highest binding affinity of − 7.2 kcal/mol was selected as the lead molecule for structural modification which led to the development of four (4) newly hypothetical molecules D1, D2, D3 and D4. In addition, the D4 molecule with the highest binding affinity value of − 9.4 kcal/mol formed more H-bond interactions signifying better orientation of the ligand in the binding site compared to M35 and isoniazid standard drug. In-silico ADME and drug-likeness prediction of the molecules showed good pharmacokinetic properties having high gastrointestinal absorption, orally bioavailable, and less toxic. The outcome of the present research strengthens the relevance of these compounds as promising lead candidates for the treatment of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis which could help the medicinal chemists and pharmaceutical professionals in further designing and synthesis of more potent drug candidates. Moreover, the research also encouraged the in vivo and in vitro evaluation study for the proposed designed compounds to validate the computational findings.

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Investigation of biological activities of Colocasia gigantea Hook.f. leaves and PASS prediction, in silico molecular docking with ADME/T analysis of its isolated bioactive compounds

10.1101/2020.05.18.101113 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Safaet Alam ◽

Nazim Uddin Emon ◽

Mohammad A. Rashid ◽

Mohammad Arman ◽

Mohammad Rashedul Haque

Keyword(s):

Molecular Docking ◽

Binding Affinity ◽

In Silico ◽

Castor Oil ◽

Biological Activities ◽

Kappa Opioid Receptor ◽

Soluble Extract ◽

Docking Score

AbstractBackgroundColocasia gigantea is locally named as kochu and also better known due to its various healing power. This research is to investigate the antidiarrheal, antimicrobial, and antioxidant possibilities of the methanol soluble extract of Colocasia gigantea.MethodsAntidiarrheal investigation was performed by using in vivo castor oil induced diarrheal method where as in vitro antimicrobial and antioxidant investigation have been implemented by disc diffusion and DPPH scavenging method respectively. Moreover, in silico studies were followed by molecular docking analysis of several secondary metabolites were appraised with Schrödinger-Maestro v 11.1.ResultsThe induction of plant extract (200 and 400 mg/kg, b.w, p.o), the castor oil mediated diarrhea has been minimized 19.05 % (p < 0.05) and 42.86 % (p < 0.001) respectively. The methanolic extract of C. gigantea showed mild sensitivity against almost all the tested strains but it shows high consistency of phenolic content and furthermore yielded 67.68 μg/mL of IC50 value in the DPPH test. The higher and lower binding affinity was shown in beta-amyrin and monoglyceryl stearic acid against the kappa-opioid receptor (PDB ID: 4DJH) with a docking score of -3.28 kcal/mol and -6.64 kcal/mol respectively. In the antimicrobial investigation, Penduletin and Beta-Amyrin showed the highest and lowest binding affinity against the selected receptors with the docking score of -8.27 kcal/mol and -1.66 kcal/mol respectively.ConclusionThe results of our scientific research reflect that the methanol soluble extract of C. gigantea is safe which may provide possibilities of alleviation of diarrhea and as a potential wellspring of antioxidants which can be considered as an alternate source for exploration of new medicinal products.

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Dual targeting of cytokine storm and viral replication in COVID-19 by plant-derived steroidal pregnanes in silico

10.21203/rs.3.rs-329239/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Gideon A. Gyebi ◽

Oludare M. Ogunyemi ◽

Ibrahim M. Ibrahim ◽

Saheed O. Afolabi ◽

Joseph O. Adebayo

Keyword(s):

In Silico ◽

Glucocorticoid Receptors ◽

Active Regions ◽

Binding Energies ◽

Dynamics Simulation ◽

Mode Analysis ◽

High Morbidity ◽

Cytokine Storm

Abstract The high morbidity and mortality rate of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome CoronaVirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection arises majorly from the Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome and “cytokine storm” syndrome, which is sustained by an aberrant systemic inflammatory response and elevated pro-inflammatory cytokines. Thus, phytocompounds with broad-spectrum anti-inflammatory activity that target multiple SARS-CoV-2 proteins will enhance the development of effective drugs against the disease. In this study, an in-house library of 106 steriodal plant-derived pregnanes (PDPs) was docked in the active regions of human glucocorticoid receptors (hGRs) in a comparative molecular docking analysis. Based on the minimal binding energy and a comparative dexamethason binding mode analysis, a list of top twenty ranked PDPs docked in the agonist conformation of hGR, with binding energies ranging between -9.8 and -11.2 Kcal/mol, was obtained and analyzed for interactions with the human Janus kinases 1 and Interleukins-6 and SARS-CoV-2 3-chymotrypsin-like protease, Papain-like protease and RNA-dependent RNA polymerase. For each target protein, the top three ranked PDPs were selected. Eight PDPs (bregenin, hirundigenin, anhydroholantogenin, atratogenin A, atratogenin B, glaucogenin A, glaucogenin C and glaucogenin D) with high binding tendencies to the catalytic residues of multiple targets were identified. A high degree of structural stability was observed from the 100 ns molecular dynamics simulation analyses of glaucogenin C and hirundigenin complexes of hGR. The selected top-eight ranked PDPs demonstrated favourable druggable and in silico ADMET properties. Thus, the therapeutic potentials of glaucogenin C and hirundigenin can be explored for further in vitro and in vivo studies.

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In Vivo Antidepressant Effect of Passiflora edulis f. flavicarpa into Cationic Nanoparticles: Improving Bioactivity and Safety

Pharmaceutics ◽

10.3390/pharmaceutics12040383 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 12 (4) ◽

pp. 383

Author(s):

Jovelina Samara Ferreira Alves ◽

Alaine Maria dos Santos Silva ◽

Rodrigo Moreira da Silva ◽

Pamella Rebeca Fernandes Tiago ◽

Thais Gomes de Carvalho ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Biochemical Analysis ◽

Forced Swimming Test ◽

Antidepressant Activity ◽

Antidepressant Effect ◽

Passiflora Edulis ◽

Eudragit E ◽

The Central Nervous System ◽

Swimming Test ◽

Cationic Nanoparticles

A variety of neuroactive flavonoids can be found in the species of the Passiflora genus; however, their difficulty in crossing the blood–brain barrier limits their in vivo neuropharmacological activity. In this study, cationic nanoparticles were developed as a novel nanocarrier for improving the antidepressant activity of Passiflora edulis f. flavicarpa leaf extract. Formulations obtained using Eudragit E PO polymethylmethacrylate copolymer, as polymeric matrix had their physicochemical properties investigated. The analytical content of the flavonoids vicenin-2, orientin, isoorientin, vitexin, and isovitexin was determined in the plant extract. Small-sized and spherical nanoparticles loaded with Passiflora edulis f. flavicarpa were obtained with positive zeta potential and high encapsulation efficiency. In addition, the nanosystems were shown to be stable for at least 6 months. The antidepressant activity of P. edulis extract (50 and 100 mg/kg) as well as the extract-loaded nanoparticles (5 mg/kg) were investigated in mice using the forced swimming test, where the latter increased the potency of the former by 10-fold. In addition, histopathological and biochemical analysis confirmed the biocompatibility of the extract-loaded nanoparticles. This study demonstrated that the Eudragit cationic nanoparticles were able to improve the antidepressant activity of P. edulis in the central nervous system of mice.

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Evaluation of the Binding Affinity of a Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone Analogue (GnRH-a) Buserelin through In Silico and In Vivo testing in Clarias magur

Current Proteomics ◽

10.2174/1570164618666210426090916 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 ◽

Author(s):

Mukesh Kumar ◽

Mukunda Goswami ◽

Sunil Kumar Nayak ◽

Gireesh-Babu P. ◽

Aparna Chaudhari

Keyword(s):

Binding Affinity ◽

In Silico ◽

Docking Studies ◽

Gnrh Receptor ◽

Gonadotropin Releasing Hormone ◽

Hormone Analogue ◽

Releasing Hormone ◽

Gonadotropin Releasing Hormone Analogue ◽

In Vivo Testing

Aim: To evaluate the binding affinity and biological potency of gonadotropin releasing hormone analogue (GnRHa) Buserelin (‎C60H86N16O13) based on in silico and in vivo testing for induced breeding in Clarias magur. Background: Many attempts have been made to induce C. magur but encouraging results have not yet been achieved. Hence, it is the need of the hour to find out more potent analogues or other bio-molecules for induced breeding in C. magur to facilitate sustainable aquaculture. Objective: To determine the binding affinity of C. magur GnRH receptor through in silico and its validation for induced breeding of C. magur. Methods: Buserelin (‎C60H86N16O13) was selected as the potential GnRHa after screening several peptides for their binding energy with the C. magur GnRH receptor. The induced breeding trial was set up at ICAR-CIFE Powarkheda Centre, M.P. India, and Buserelin was administered in different doses to the brooders along with the dopamine inhibitor domperidone. The standard treatment with the commercial salmon GnRH (sGnRH) analogue Ovaprim® (Syndel, USA) was used as the control. Results: The 3-D structure of C. magur GnRH receptor was generated using MODELLER software. Molecular docking studies revealed the binding preference of the receptor as chicken (c) GnRH-II > Buserelin > sGnRH > catfish (cf) GnRH > human (m) GnRH. Though Buserelin showed better binding affinity compared to sGnRH, induced breeding experiments with magur showed similar performance of the ligands at the equivalent dose of 20 µg/kg B.W., but the spontaneous release of milt from the males was not obsereved in both the cases. Significantly better reproductive parameters were recorded with Buserelin at the dose of 30 µg/kg B.W. Conclusion: The study revealed that that the GnRHa Buserelin can be used as an effective inducing agent for breeding in C. magur.

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Coumarins and Quinolones as Effective Multiple Targeted Agents Versus Covid-19: An in Silico Study

Medicinal Chemistry ◽

10.2174/1573406417666210208223924 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 17 ◽

Author(s):

Mojgan Nejabat ◽

Razieh Ghodsi ◽

Farzin Hadizadeh

Keyword(s):

Binding Affinity ◽

In Silico ◽

Oral Absorption ◽

Antiviral Agent ◽

In Vivo Studies ◽

Reference Drug ◽

Viral Proteases ◽

In Silico Study

Background: The Covid-19 virus emerged a few months ago in China and infections rapidly escalated into a pandemic. Objective: To date, there is no selective antiviral agent for the management of pathologies associated with covid-19 and the need for an effective agent against it is essential. Method: In this work two home-made databases from synthetic quinolines and coumarins were virtually docked against viral proteases (3CL and PL), human cell surface proteases (TMPRSS2 and furin) and spike proteins (S1 and S2). Chloroquine, a reference drug without a clear mechanism against coronavirus was also docked on mentioned targets and the binding affinities compared with title compounds. Result: The best compounds of synthetic coumarins and quinolines for each target were determined. All compounds against all targets showed binding affinity between -5.80 to -8.99 kcal/mol in comparison with the FDA-approved drug, Chloroquine, with binding affinity of -5.7 to -7.98 kcal/mol. Two compounds, quinoline-1 and coumarin-24, were found to be effective on three targets – S2, TMPRSS2 and furin – simultaneously, with good predicted affinity between -7.54 to -8.85 kcal/mol. In silico ADME studies also confirmed good oral absorption for them. Furthermore, PASS prediction was calculated and coumarin-24 had higher probable activity (Pa) than probable inactivity (Pi) with acceptable protease inhibitory as well as good antiviral activity against Hepatitis C virus (HCV), Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and influenza. Conclusion: Quinoline-1 and Coumarin-24 have the potential to be used against Covid-19. Hence these agents could be useful in combating covid-19 infection after further in vitro and in vivo studies.

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