Development of a direct ESI-MS method for measuring the tannin precipitation effect of proline-rich peptides and in silico studies on the proline role in tannin-protein interactions

Resistance to antimalarial drugs has spread rapidly over the past few decades. The WHO recommends artemisinin-based combination therapies for the treatment of uncomplicated malaria, but unfortunately these approaches are losing their efficacy in large areas of Southeast Asia. In 2016, artemisinin resistance was confirmed in 5 countries of the Greater Mekong subregion. We focused our study on Syk inhibitors as antimalarial drugs. The Syk protein is present in human erythrocytes, and the membrane of protein band 3 is its major target following activation by oxidant stress. Tyr phosphorylation of band 3 occurs during P. falciparum growth, leading to the release of microparticles containing hemicromes and structural weakening of the host cell membrane, simplifying merozoite reinfection. Syk inhibitors block these events by interacting with the Syk protein’s catalytic site. We performed in vitro proteomics and in silico studies and compared the results. In vitro studies were based on treatment of the parasite’s cellular cultures with different concentrations of Syk inhibitors, while proteomics studies were focused on the Tyr phosphorylation of band 3 by Syk protein with the same concentrations of drugs. In silico studies were based on different molecular modeling approaches in order to analyze and optimize the ligand–protein interactions and obtain the highest efficacy in vitro. In the presence of Syk inhibitors, we observed a marked decrease of band 3 Tyr phosphorylation according to the increase of the drug’s concentration. Our studies could be useful for the structural optimization of these compounds and for the design of novel Syk inhibitors in the future.

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LC-ESI/MS-Phytochemical Profiling with Antioxidant, Antibacterial, Antifungal, Antiviral and In Silico Pharmacological Properties of Algerian Asphodelus tenuifolius (Cav.) Organic Extracts

Antioxidants ◽

10.3390/antiox10040628 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (4) ◽

pp. 628

Author(s):

Ayoub Khalfaoui ◽

Emira Noumi ◽

Soumia Belaabed ◽

Kaïss Aouadi ◽

Bouslama Lamjed ◽

...

Keyword(s):

In Silico ◽

Biological Activities ◽

Total Phenolic ◽

Preclinical Development ◽

Traditional Use ◽

Esi Ms ◽

Butanol Extract ◽

In Silico Studies ◽

Organic Extracts ◽

Simplex Virus

Asphodelus tenuifolius Cav. (A. tenuifolius) is a medicinal plant with a long history of traditional use to treat ailments. In this study, total phenolic and flavonoid content evaluation using LC-ESI/MS analysis and various biological activities (antioxidant, antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral and cytotoxicity) of organic extracts from the aerial parts of A. tenuifolius were analyzed. ADME tools were used to predict the potential of the identified compounds from the most potent extract as specific drugs. As shown, LC-ESI/MS results of chloroformic extract allowed the tentative identification of 12 compounds. Chloroformic extract was rich in polyphenols and flavonoids and exhibited the highest antioxidant activity given by DPPH (IC50 = 25 µg/mL) as compared to the BHT standard (11.5 µg/mL) and β-carotene bleaching assays (IC50 = 95.692 µg/mL). Antibacterial activity results showed that chloroformic extract has a highest activity against Gram-positive and -negative bacteria, especially against Salmonella Typhimurium DT104 (IZ = 19.3 mm, MIC = 18.75 mg/mL, MBC = 37.5 mg/mL). The MBC/MIC ratio was evaluated to interpret the activity that was bacteriostatic rather than bactericidal. Conversely, weaker antifungal activity was registered, and no antiviral activity was observed for all extracts against Herpes Simplex Virus type 2 and Coxsakievirus B-3 viruses. Cytotoxic activity on VERO cell line results revealed that butanol extract was not toxic, with CC50 value of 1430 µg/mL, while chloroformic extract showed moderate cytotoxicity. Additionally, in silico studies performed proved promising pharmacokinetic and drug-likeness properties of the main compounds from the chloroformic extract. Taken together, this work highlights the potent bioactivity and acceptable drug-likeness of this plant, which supports its further preclinical development.

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Discovery of New AKT1 Inhibitors by Combination of In silico Structure Based Virtual Screening Approaches and Biological Evaluations

10.26434/chemrxiv.7591202 ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

Filip Fratev ◽

Denisse A. Gutierrez ◽

Renato J. Aguilera ◽

suman sirimulla

Keyword(s):

Virtual Screening ◽

Success Rate ◽

Protein Interactions ◽

In Silico ◽

Biological Data ◽

In Vitro Binding ◽

Vitro Binding ◽

Screening Protocol ◽

Screening Approaches

AKT1 is emerging as a useful target for treating cancer. Herein, we discovered a new set of ligands that inhibit the AKT1, as shown by in vitro binding and cell line studies, using a newly designed virtual screening protocol that combines structure-based pharmacophore and docking screens. Taking together with the biological data, the combination of structure based pharamcophore and docking methods demonstrated reasonable success rate in identifying new inhibitors (60-70%) proving the success of aforementioned approach. A detail analysis of the ligand-protein interactions was performed explaining observed activities.<br>

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Critical Review on the Chemical Aspects of Cannabidiol (CBD) and Harmonization of Computational Bioactivity Data

Current Medicinal Chemistry ◽

10.2174/0929867327666200210144847 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 28 (2) ◽

pp. 213-237 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Andrea Mastinu ◽

Giovanni Ribaudo ◽

Alberto Ongaro ◽

Sara Anna Bonini ◽

Maurizio Memo ◽

...

Keyword(s):

In Silico ◽

Cannabis Sativa ◽

Therapeutic Potential ◽

The Novel ◽

In Silico Studies ◽

Computational Data ◽

Synthetic Approaches ◽

Analytical Approaches ◽

Yield Sensitivity ◽

Therapeutic Profile

: Cannabidiol (CBD) is a non-psychotropic phytocannabinoid which represents one of the constituents of the “phytocomplex” of Cannabis sativa. This natural compound is attracting growing interest since when CBD-based remedies and commercial products were marketed. This review aims to exhaustively address the extractive and analytical approaches that have been developed for the isolation and quantification of CBD. Recent updates on cutting-edge technologies were critically examined in terms of yield, sensitivity, flexibility and performances in general, and are reviewed alongside original representative results. As an add-on to currently available contributions in the literature, the evolution of the novel, efficient synthetic approaches for the preparation of CBD, a procedure which is appealing for the pharmaceutical industry, is also discussed. Moreover, with the increasing interest on the therapeutic potential of CBD and the limited understanding of the undergoing biochemical pathways, the reader will be updated about recent in silico studies on the molecular interactions of CBD towards several different targets attempting to fill this gap. Computational data retrieved from the literature have been integrated with novel in silico experiments, critically discussed to provide a comprehensive and updated overview on the undebatable potential of CBD and its therapeutic profile.

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Recent In Vitro and In Silico Advances in the Understanding of Intranasal Drug Delivery

Current Pharmaceutical Design ◽

10.2174/1381612826666201112143230 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 26 ◽

Author(s):

John Chen ◽

Andrew Martin ◽

Warren H. Finlay

Keyword(s):

Drug Delivery ◽

In Silico ◽

Local Drug Delivery ◽

In Vivo Studies ◽

Intranasal Drug Delivery ◽

Nasal Sprays ◽

In Silico Studies ◽

Drug Delivery Devices

Background: Many drugs are delivered intranasally for local or systemic effect, typically in the form of droplets or aerosols. Because of the high cost of in vivo studies, drug developers and researchers often turn to in vitro or in silico testing when first evaluating the behavior and properties of intranasal drug delivery devices and formulations. Recent advances in manufacturing and computer technologies have allowed for increasingly realistic and sophisticated in vitro and in silico reconstructions of the human nasal airways. Objective: To perform a summary of advances in understanding of intranasal drug delivery based on recent in vitro and in silico studies. Conclusion: The turbinates are a common target for local drug delivery applications, and while nasal sprays are able to reach this region, there is currently no broad consensus across the in vitro and in silico literature concerning optimal parameters for device design, formulation properties and patient technique which would maximize turbinate deposition. Nebulizers are able to more easily target the turbinates, but come with the disadvantage of significant lung deposition. Targeting of the olfactory region of the nasal cavity has been explored for potential treatment of central nervous system conditions. Conventional intranasal devices, such as nasal sprays and nebulizers, deliver very little dose to the olfactory region. Recent progress in our understanding of intranasal delivery will be useful in the development of the next generation of intranasal drug delivery devices.

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In-silico Studies of Isolated Phytoalkaloid Against Lipoxygenase: Study Based on Possible Correlation

Combinatorial Chemistry & High Throughput Screening ◽

10.2174/1386207321666180220125406 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 21 (3) ◽

pp. 215-221

Author(s):

Haroon Khan ◽

Muhammad Zafar ◽

Helena Den-Haan ◽

Horacio Perez-Sanchez ◽

Mohammad Amjad Kamal

Keyword(s):

In Silico ◽

Docking Studies ◽

In Vivo Studies ◽

In Vitro Assays ◽

Chronic Obstructive ◽

Lipoxygenase Inhibitors ◽

Lipoxygenase Inhibition ◽

In Silico Studies

Aim and Objective: Lipoxygenase (LOX) enzymes play an important role in the pathophysiology of several inflammatory and allergic diseases including bronchial asthma, allergic rhinitis, atopic dermatitis, allergic conjunctivitis, rheumatoid arthritis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Inhibitors of the LOX are believed to be an ideal approach in the treatment of diseases caused by its over-expression. In this regard, several synthetic and natural agents are under investigation worldwide. Alkaloids are the most thoroughly investigated class of natural compounds with outstanding past in clinically useful drugs. In this article, we have discussed various alkaloids of plant origin that have already shown lipoxygenase inhibition in-vitro with possible correlation in in silico studies. Materials and Methods: Molecular docking studies were performed using MOE (Molecular Operating Environment) software. Among the ten reported LOX alkaloids inhibitors, derived from plant, compounds 4, 2, 3 and 1 showed excellent docking scores and receptor sensitivity. Result and Conclusion: These compounds already exhibited in vitro lipoxygenase inhibition and the MOE results strongly correlated with the experimental results. On the basis of these in vitro assays and computer aided results, we suggest that these compounds need further detail in vivo studies and clinical trial for the discovery of new more effective and safe lipoxygenase inhibitors. In conclusion, these results might be useful in the design of new and potential lipoxygenase (LOX) inhibitors.

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Promising Anticancer Therapeutics From Mushrooms: Current Findings and Future Perceptions

Current Pharmaceutical Biotechnology ◽

10.2174/1389201021666201008164056 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 21 ◽

Author(s):

Mrunmaya Kumar Panda ◽

Manish Paul ◽

Sameer Kumar Singdevsachan ◽

Kumananda Tayung ◽

Swagat Kumar Das ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cell Proliferation ◽

Cancer Cell ◽

In Silico ◽

Present Review ◽

Cancer Cell Proliferation ◽

Research Papers ◽

Medicinal Mushrooms ◽

In Silico Studies ◽

Anticancer Therapeutics ◽

Ethnomedicinal Uses

Background: Nowadays medicines derived from natural sources have drawn much attention as potential therapeutic agents in the suppression and treatment of cancer because of their low toxicity and fewer side effects. Objective: The present review aims to assess the currently available knowledge on the ethnomedicinal uses and pharmacological activities of bioactive compounds obtained from medicinal mushrooms towards cancer treatment. Methods: Literature search has been conducted for the collection of research papers from universally accepted scientific databases. These research papers and published book chapters were scrutinized to retrieve information on ethnomedicinal uses of mushrooms, different factors involved in cancer cell proliferation, clinical and in silico pharmaceutical studies made for possible treatments of cancer using mushroom derived compounds. Overall 241 articles were retrieved and reviewed from the year of 1970 to 2020, out of which 98 relevant articles were finally considered for preparation of this review. Results: This review presents an update on the natural bioactive substances derived from medicinal mushrooms and their role in inhibiting the factors responsible for cancer cell proliferation. Along with it, the present review also provides information on the ethnomedicinal uses, solvents used for extraction of anticancer metabolites, clinical trials, and in silico studies that were undertaken towards anticancer drug development from medicinal mushrooms. Conclusion: The present review provides an extensive knowledge on various anticancer substances obtained from medicinal mushrooms, their biological actions and in silico drug designing approaches which could form a basis for the development of natural anticancer therapeutics.

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In Vitro, In Silico and Ex Vivo Studies of Dihydroartemisinin Derivatives as Antitubercular Agents

Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry ◽

10.2174/1568026619666190305131425 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 19 (8) ◽

pp. 633-644 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Komal Kalani ◽

Sarfaraz Alam ◽

Vinita Chaturvedi ◽

Shyam Singh ◽

Feroz Khan ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Bone Marrow ◽

In Silico ◽

Ex Vivo ◽

Virulent Strain ◽

Infection Model ◽

Mouse Bone Marrow ◽

Significant Activity ◽

Macrophage Infection ◽

In Silico Studies

Introduction: As a part of our drug discovery program for anti-tubercular agents, dihydroartemisinin (DHA-1) was screened against Mtb H37Rv, which showed moderate anti-tubercular activity (>25.0 µg/mL). These results prompted us to carry out the chemical transformation of DHA-1 into various derivatives and study their antitubercular potential. Materials and Methods: DHA-1 was semi-synthetically converted into four new acyl derivatives (DHA-1A – DHA-1D) and in-vitro evaluated for their anti-tubercular potential against Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv virulent strain. The derivatives, DHA-1C (12-O-(4-nitro) benzoyl; MIC 12.5 µg/mL) and DHA-1D (12-O-chloro acetyl; MIC 3.12µg/mL) showed significant activity against the pathogen. Results: In silico studies of the most active derivative (DHA-1D) showed interaction with ARG448 inhibiting the mycobacterium enzymes. Additionally, it showed no cytotoxicity towards the Vero C1008 cells and Mouse bone marrow derived macrophages. Conclusion: DHA-1D killed 62% intracellular M. tuberculosis in Mouse bone marrow macrophage infection model. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first-ever report on the antitubercular potential of dihydroartemisinin and its derivatives. Since dihydroartemisinin is widely used as an antimalarial drug; these results may be of great help in anti-tubercular drug development from a very common, inexpensive, and non-toxic natural product.

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Synthesis, In Vitro and In Silico Studies of Indolequinone Derivatives against Clinically Relevant Bacterial Pathogens

Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry ◽

10.2174/1568026620666191223110518 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 20 (3) ◽

pp. 192-208 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Talita Odriane Custodio Leite ◽

Juliana Silva Novais ◽

Beatriz Lima Cosenza de Carvalho ◽

Vitor Francisco Ferreira ◽

Leonardo Alves Miceli ◽

...

Keyword(s):

In Silico ◽

Bacterial Infections ◽

Antimicrobial Agents ◽

Mass Spectrometry Analysis ◽

World Health ◽

Gram Negative Bacteria ◽

Gram Negative ◽

Dione Derivative ◽

In Silico Studies

Background: According to the World Health Organization, antimicrobial resistance is one of the most important public health threats of the 21st century. Therefore, there is an urgent need for the development of antimicrobial agents with new mechanism of action, especially those capable of evading known resistance mechanisms. Objective: We described the synthesis, in vitro antimicrobial evaluation, and in silico analysis of a series of 1H-indole-4,7-dione derivatives. Methods: The new series of 1H-indole-4,7-diones was prepared with good yield by using a copper(II)- mediated reaction between bromoquinone and β-enamino ketones bearing alkyl or phenyl groups attached to the nitrogen atom. The antimicrobial potential of indole derivatives was assessed. Molecular docking studies were also performed using AutoDock 4.2 for Windows. Characterization of all compounds was confirmed by one- and two-dimensional NMR techniques 1H and 13C NMR spectra [1H, 13C – APT, 1H x 1H – COSY, HSQC and HMBC], IR and mass spectrometry analysis. Results: Several indolequinone compounds showed effective antimicrobial profile against Grampositive (MIC = 16 µg.mL-1) and Gram-negative bacteria (MIC = 8 µg.mL-1) similar to antimicrobials current on the market. The 3-acetyl-1-(2,5-dimethylphenyl)-1H-indole-4,7-dione derivative exhibited an important effect against different biofilm stages formed by a serious hospital life-threatening resistant strain of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). A hemocompatibility profile analysis based on in vitro hemolysis assays revealed the low toxicity effects of this new series. Indeed, in silico studies showed a good pharmacokinetics and toxicological profiles for all indolequinone derivatives, reinforcing their feasibility to display a promising oral bioavailability. An elucidation of the promising indolequinone derivatives binding mode was achieved, showing interactions with important sites to biological activity of S. aureus DNA gyrase. These results highlighted 3-acetyl-1-(2-hydroxyethyl)-1Hindole- 4,7-dione derivative as broad-spectrum antimicrobial prototype to be further explored for treating bacterial infections. Conclusion: The highly substituted indolequinones were obtained in moderate to good yields. The pharmacological study indicated that these compounds should be exploited in the search for a leading substance in a project aimed at obtaining new antimicrobials effective against Gram-negative bacteria.

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