Synthesis, structural commentary, supramolecular architecture,  and molecular docking investigations of a novel thiophene-fused  1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline derivative  as a potent anti-cancer agent

Aim and Objective: To evaluate a set of seventy phytochemicals for their potential ability to bind the inhibitor of nuclear factor kappaB kinase beta (IKK-β) which is a prime target for cancer and inflammatory diseases. Materials and Methods: Seventy phytochemicals were screened against IKK-β enzyme using DFT-based molecular docking technique and the top docking hits were carried forward for molecular dynamics (MD) simulation protocols. The adme-toxicity analysis was also carried out for the top docking hits. Results: Sesamin, matairesinol and resveratrol were found to be the top docking hits with a total score of -413 kJ/mol, -398.11 kJ/mol and 266.73 kJ/mol respectively. Glu100 and Gly102 were found to be the most common interacting residues. The result from MD simulation observed a stable trajectory with a binding free energy of -107.62 kJ/mol for matairesinol, -120.37 kJ/mol for sesamin and -40.56 kJ/mol for resveratrol. The DFT calculation revealed the stability of the compounds. The ADME-Toxicity prediction observed that these compounds fall within the permissible area of Boiled-Egg and it does not violate any rule for pharmacological criteria, drug-likeness etc. Conclusion: The study interprets that dietary phytochemicals are potent inhibitors of IKK-β enzyme with favourable binding affinity and less toxic effects. In fact, there is a gradual rise in the use of plant-derived molecules because of its lesser side effects compared to chemotherapy. The study has also provided an insight by which the phytochemicals inhibited the IKK-β enzyme. The investigation would also provide in understanding the inhibitory mode of certain dietary phytochemicals in treating cancer.

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Synthesis and Anticancer Activity of 9-O-Pyrazole Alkyl Substituted Berberine Derivatives

Anti-Cancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry ◽

10.2174/1871520618666180717121208 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 18 (11) ◽

pp. 1639-1648 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Daipeng Xiao ◽

Fen He ◽

Dongming Peng ◽

Min Zou ◽

Junying Peng ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Oxidative Stress ◽

Molecular Docking ◽

Anticancer Activity ◽

Cell Lines ◽

Human Lung Cancer ◽

Drug Candidate ◽

Molecular Docking Study ◽

Protective Function ◽

Anti Cancer ◽

Cancer Activity

Background: Berberine (BBR), an isoquinoline plant alkaloid isolated from plants such as Coptis chinensis and Hydrastis canadensis, own multiple pharmacological activities. Objective: In this study, seven BBR derivatives were synthesized and their anticancer activity against HeLa cervical and A549 human lung cancer cell lines were evaluated in vitro. Methods: The anti-cancer activity was measured by MTT assay, and apoptosis was demonstrated by the annexin V-FITC/PI staining assay. The intracellular oxidative stress was investigated through DCFH-DA assay. The molecular docking study was carried out in molecular operating environment (MOE). Results: Compound B3 and B5 showed enhanced anti-cancer activity compared with BBR, the IC50 for compound B3 and B5 were significantly lower than BBR, and compound B3 at the concentration of 64 or 128 µM induced apoptosis in HeLa and A549 cell lines. The reactive oxygen species (ROS) was generated in both cell lines when treated with 100 µM of all the compounds, and compound B3 and B5 induced higher activity in the generation of ROS, while compound B3 exhibited the highest activity, these results are in accordance with the cytotoxicity results, indicating the cytotoxicity were mostly generated from the oxidative stress. In addition, molecular docking analysis showed that compound B3 had the greatest affinity with Hsp90. Upon binding, the protective function of Hsp90 was lost, which might explain its higher cytotoxicity from molecular interaction aspect. Conclusion: All the results demonstrated that compound B3 and B5 showed significantly higher anti-cancer ability than BBR, and compound B3 is a promising anticancer drug candidate.

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Future Oncotargets: Targeting Overexpressed Conserved Protein Targets in Androgen Independent Prostate Cancer Cell Lines

Anti-Cancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry ◽

10.2174/1871520620666200409142239 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 20 (8) ◽

pp. 1017-1027

Author(s):

Abdul M. Baig ◽

Zohaib Rana ◽

Mohammad M. Mannan ◽

Areeba Khaleeq ◽

Fizza Nazim ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Prostate Cancer ◽

Cell Lines ◽

Drug Efflux ◽

Adapter Proteins ◽

Cancer Drugs ◽

Protein Targets ◽

Anti Cancer ◽

Drug Efflux Pumps ◽

Cancer Agent ◽

Androgen Independent

Background: Targeting evolutionarily conserved proteins in malignant cells and the adapter proteins involved in signalling that generates from such proteins may play a cardinal role in the selection of anti-cancer drugs. Drugs targeting these proteins could be of importance in developing anti-cancer drugs. Objectives: We inferred that drugs like loperamide and promethazine that act as antagonists of proteins conserved in cancer cells like voltage-gated Calcium channels (Cav), Calmodulin (CaM) and drug efflux (ABCB1) pump may have the potential to be re-purposed as an anti-cancer agent in Prostate Cancer (PCa). Methods: Growth and cytotoxic assays were performed by selecting loperamide and promethazine to target Cav, CaM and drug efflux (ABCB1) pumps to elucidate their effects on androgen-independent PC3 and DU145 PCa cell lines. Results: We show that loperamide and promethazine in doses of 80-100μg/ml exert oncocidal effects when tested in DU145 and PC3 cell lines. Diphenhydramine, which shares its targets with promethazine, except the CaM, failed to exhibit oncocidal effects. Conclusion: Anti-cancer effects can be of significance if structural analogues of loperamide and promethazine that specifically target Cav, CaM and ABCB1 drug efflux pumps can be synthesized, or these two drugs could be re-purposed after human trials in PCa.

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