Repurposing of auranofin against bacterial infections: An In silico and In vitro study

Author(s):  
Nidhi Sharma ◽  
Arti Singh ◽  
Ruchika Sharma ◽  
Anoop Kumar

Aim: The aim of the study was to find out the role of auranofin as a promising broad spectrum antibacterial agent. Methods: In-vitro assays (Percentage growth retardation, Bacterial growth kinetics, Biofilm formation assay) and In-silico study (Molegro virtual docker (MVD) version 6.0 and Molecular operating environment (MOE) version 2008.10 software). Results: The in vitro assays have shown that auranofin has good antibacterial activity against Gram positive and Gram negative bacterial strains. Further, auranofin has shown synergistic activity in combination with ampicillin against S. aureus and B. subtilis whereas in combination with neomycin has just shown additive effect against E. coli, P. aeruginosa and B. pumilus. In vivo results have revealed that auranofin alone and in combination with standard drugs significantly decreased the bioburden in zebrafish infection model as compared to control. The molecular docking study have shown good interaction of auranofin with penicillin binding protein (2Y2M), topoisomerase (3TTZ), UDP-3-O-[3- hydroxymyristoyl] N-acetylglucosaminedeacetylase (3UHM), cell adhesion protein (4QRK), β-lactamase (5CTN) and arylsulphatase (1HDH) enzyme as that of reference ligand which indicate multimodal mechanism of action of auranofin. Finally, MTT assay has shown non-cytotoxic effect of auranofin. Conclusion: In conclusion, auranofin in combination with existing antibiotics could be developed as a broad spectrum antibacterial agent; however, further studies are required to confirm its safety and efficacy. This study provides possibility of use of auranofin apart from its established therapeutic indication in combination with existing antibiotics to tackle the problem of resistance.

2018 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 160-173 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mir Mohammad Masood ◽  
Mohammad Irfan ◽  
Shadab Alam ◽  
Phool Hasan ◽  
Aarfa Queen ◽  
...  

Background: 2,4-disubstituted-1,3-thiazole derivatives (2a–j), (3a–f) and (4a–f) were synthesized, characterized and screened for their potential as antimicrobial agents. In the preliminary screening against a panel of bacterial strains, nine compounds showed moderate to potent antibacterial activity (IC50 = 13.7-90.8 μg/ml). </P><P> Methods: In the antifungal screening, compound (4c) displayed potent antifungal activity (IC50 = 26.5 &#181;g/ml) against Candida tropicalis comparable to the standard drug, fluconazole (IC50 = 10.5 &#181;g/ml). Based on in vitro antimicrobial results, compounds 2f, 4c and 4e were selected for further pharmacological investigations. Hemolytic activity using human red blood cells (hRBCs) and cytotoxicity by MTT assay on human embryonic kidney (HEK-293) cells revealed non-toxic nature of the selected compounds (2f, 4c and 4e). To ascertain their possible mode of action, docking studies with the lead inhibitors (2f, 4c and 4e) were performed using crystal structure coordinates of bacterial methionine aminopeptidases (MetAPs), an enzyme involved in bacterial protein synthesis and maturation. Results: The results of in vitro and in silico studies provide a rationale for selected compounds (2f, 4c and 4e) to be carried forward for further structural modifications and structure-activity relationship (SAR) studies against these bacterial infections. Conclusion: The study suggested binding with one or more key amino acid residues in the active site of Streptococcus pneumoniae MetAP (SpMetAP) and Escherichia coli MetAP (EcMetAP). In silico physicochemical properties using QikProp confirmed their drug likeliness.


2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (13) ◽  
pp. 7079
Author(s):  
Alexandru Sava ◽  
Frederic Buron ◽  
Sylvain Routier ◽  
Alina Panainte ◽  
Nela Bibire ◽  
...  

Starting from indomethacin (IND), one of the most prescribed non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), new nitric oxide-releasing indomethacin derivatives with 1,3,4-oxadiazole-2-thiol scaffold (NO-IND-OXDs, 8a-p) have been developed as a safer and more efficient multitarget therapeutic strategy. The successful synthesis of designed compounds (intermediaries and finals) was proved by complete spectroscopic analyses. In order to study the in silico interaction of NO-IND-OXDs with cyclooxygenase isoenzymes, a molecular docking study, using AutoDock 4.2.6 software, was performed. Moreover, their biological characterization, based on in vitro assays, in terms of thermal denaturation of serum proteins, antioxidant effects and the NO releasing capacity, was also performed. Based on docking results, 8k, 8l and 8m proved to be the best interaction for the COX-2 (cyclooxygense-2) target site, with an improved docking score compared with celecoxib. Referring to the thermal denaturation of serum proteins and antioxidant effects, all the tested compounds were more active than IND and aspirin, used as references. In addition, the compounds 8c, 8h, 8i, 8m, 8n and 8o showed increased capacity to release NO, which means they are safer in terms of gastrointestinal side effects.


Author(s):  
Kamal Sethi ◽  
Arti Singh ◽  
Anoop Kumar

The incidences of opportunistic bacterial infections have increased from the past two decades or threaten to increase in the near future. Inspite of the availability of various classes of antibiotics, bacterial infections are not handled properly.Thus, in the present study, we have repurposed atorvastatin against various types of bacterial strains by using in-silico, in-vitro, and in-vivo studies. Further, preliminary safety study was conducted using MTT assay. In-silico study results have revealed that atorvastatin hasgood interaction with various targets of bacterial cell as that of reference ligand. However, under in-vitro conditions, we have foundthat atorvastatin was effective at higher concentration(>128 μg/ml) against various bacterial strains. Thus, further, atorvastatin was tested in combination with standard antibiotics and has shown synergistic effect. The MTT assay results have revealed non-cytotoxic activity of atorvastatin. In conclusion, atorvastatin in combination with standard drugs could be developed as an antibacterial agent.


2020 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
pp. 37-43
Author(s):  
Prof. Teodora P. Popova ◽  
Toshka Petrova ◽  
Ignat Ignatov ◽  
Stoil Karadzhov

The antimicrobial action of the dietary supplement Oxidal® was tested using the classic Bauer and Kirby agar-gel diffusion method. Clinical and reference strains of Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli were used in the studies. The tested dietary supplement showed a well-pronounced inhibitory effect against the microbial strains commensurable with that of the broad-spectrum chemotherapeutic agent Enrofloxacin and showed even higher activity than the broad spectrum antibiotic Thiamphenicol. The proven inhibitory effect of the tested dietary supplement against the examined pathogenic bacteria is in accordance with the established clinical effectiveness standards for antimicrobial agents.


2018 ◽  
Vol 21 (3) ◽  
pp. 215-221
Author(s):  
Haroon Khan ◽  
Muhammad Zafar ◽  
Helena Den-Haan ◽  
Horacio Perez-Sanchez ◽  
Mohammad Amjad Kamal

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.


2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 116-127 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ashwani Kumar ◽  
Vineet Mehta ◽  
Utkarsh Raj ◽  
Pritish Kumar Varadwaj ◽  
Malairaman Udayabanu ◽  
...  

Background: Cholinesterase inhibitors are the first line of therapy for the management of Alzheimer’s disease (AD), however, it is now established that they provide only temporary and symptomatic relief, besides, having several inherited side-effects. Therefore, an alternative drug discovery method is used to identify new and safer ‘disease-modifying drugs’. Methods: Herein, we screened 646 small molecules of natural origin having reported pharmacological and functional values through in-silico docking studies to predict safer neuromodulatory molecules with potential to modulate acetylcholine metabolism. Further, the potential of the predicted molecules to inhibit acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity and their ability to protect neurons from degeneration was determined through in-vitro assays. Results: Based on in-silico AChE interaction studies, we predicted quercetin, caffeine, ascorbic acid and gallic acid to be potential AChE inhibitors. We confirmed the AChE inhibitory potential of these molecules through in-vitro AChE inhibition assay and compared results with donepezil and begacestat. Herbal molecules significantly inhibited enzyme activity and inhibition for quercetin and caffeine did not show any significant difference from donepezil. Further, the tested molecules did not show any neurotoxicity against primary (E18) hippocampal neurons. We observed that quercetin and caffeine significantly improved neuronal survival and efficiently protected hippocampal neurons from HgCl2 induced neurodegeneration, which other molecules, including donepezil and begacestat, failed to do. Conclusion: Quercetin and caffeine have the potential as “disease-modifying drugs” and may find application in the management of neurological disorders such as AD.


2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (8) ◽  
pp. 633-644 ◽  
Author(s):  
Komal Kalani ◽  
Sarfaraz Alam ◽  
Vinita Chaturvedi ◽  
Shyam Singh ◽  
Feroz Khan ◽  
...  

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.


2019 ◽  
Vol 18 (31) ◽  
pp. 2731-2740 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sandeep Tiwari ◽  
Debmalya Barh ◽  
M. Imchen ◽  
Eswar Rao ◽  
Ranjith K. Kumavath ◽  
...  

Background: Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Vibrio cholerae, and pathogenic Escherichia coli are global concerns for public health. The emergence of multi-drug resistant (MDR) strains of these pathogens is creating additional challenges in controlling infections caused by these deadly bacteria. Recently, we reported that Acetate kinase (AcK) could be a broad-spectrum novel target in several bacteria including these pathogens. Methods: Here, using in silico and in vitro approaches we show that (i) AcK is an essential protein in pathogenic bacteria; (ii) natural compounds Chlorogenic acid and Pinoresinol from Piper betel and Piperidine derivative compound 6-oxopiperidine-3-carboxylic acid inhibit the growth of pathogenic E. coli and M. tuberculosis by targeting AcK with equal or higher efficacy than the currently used antibiotics; (iii) molecular modeling and docking studies show interactions between inhibitors and AcK that correlate with the experimental results; (iv) these compounds are highly effective even on MDR strains of these pathogens; (v) further, the compounds may also target bacterial two-component system proteins that help bacteria in expressing the genes related to drug resistance and virulence; and (vi) finally, all the tested compounds are predicted to have drug-like properties. Results and Conclusion: Suggesting that, these Piper betel derived compounds may be further tested for developing a novel class of broad-spectrum drugs against various common and MDR pathogens.


2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (3) ◽  
pp. 192-208 ◽  
Author(s):  
Talita Odriane Custodio Leite ◽  
Juliana Silva Novais ◽  
Beatriz Lima Cosenza de Carvalho ◽  
Vitor Francisco Ferreira ◽  
Leonardo Alves Miceli ◽  
...  

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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