scholarly journals Multi-Targeting Bioactive Compounds Extracted from Essential Oils as Kinase Inhibitors

Molecules ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 25 (9) ◽  
pp. 2174 ◽  
Author(s):  
Annalisa Maruca ◽  
Delia Lanzillotta ◽  
Roberta Rocca ◽  
Antonio Lupia ◽  
Giosuè Costa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Essential Oils ◽  
Binding Affinity ◽  
Structural Changes ◽  
Kinase Inhibitors ◽  
Synergistic Effects ◽  
Data Bank ◽  
Binding Modes ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
Target Action ◽  
Potential Resource

Essential oils (EOs) are popular in aromatherapy, a branch of alternative medicine that claims their curative effects. Moreover, several studies reported EOs as potential anti-cancer agents by inducing apoptosis in different cancer cell models. In this study, we have considered EOs as a potential resource of new kinase inhibitors with a polypharmacological profile. On the other hand, computational methods offer the possibility to predict the theoretical activity profile of ligands, discovering dangerous off-targets and/or synergistic effects due to the potential multi-target action. With this aim, we performed a Structure-Based Virtual Screening (SBVS) against X-ray models of several protein kinases selected from the Protein Data Bank (PDB) by using a chemoinformatics database of EOs. By evaluating theoretical binding affinity, 13 molecules were detected among EOs as new potential kinase inhibitors with a multi-target profile. The two compounds with higher percentages in the EOs were studied more in depth by means Induced Fit Docking (IFD) protocol, in order to better predict their binding modes taking into account also structural changes in the receptor. Finally, given its good binding affinity towards five different kinases, cinnamyl cinnamate was biologically tested on different cell lines with the aim to verify the antiproliferative activity. Thus, this work represents a starting point for the optimization of the most promising EOs structure as kinase inhibitors with multi-target features.

Discovery of an Unexpected Similarity in Ligand Binding Between BRD4 and PPARγ

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lina Humbeck ◽  
Jette Pretzel ◽  
Saskia Spitzer ◽  
Oliver Koch
Keyword(s):  
Cancer Therapy ◽  
Drug Targets ◽  
Synergistic Effects ◽  
Complex Structure ◽  
Peroxisome Proliferator ◽  
Resistance Development ◽  
Peroxisome Proliferator Activated Receptor ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
Fundamental Research ◽  
Important Drug

Knowledge about interrelationships between different proteins is crucial in fundamental research for the elucidation of protein networks and pathways. Furthermore, it is especially critical in chemical biology to identify further key regulators of a disease and to take advantage of polypharmacology effects. A comprehensive scaffold-based analysis uncovered an unexpected relationship between bromodomain-containing protein 4 (BRD4) and peroxisome-proliferator activated receptor gamma (PPARγ). They are both important drug targets for cancer therapy and many more important diseases. Both proteins share binding site similarities near a common hydrophobic subpocket which should allow the design of a polypharmacology-based ligand targeting both proteins. Such a dual-BRD4-PPARγ-modulator could show synergistic effects with a higher efficacy or delayed resistance development in, for example, cancer therapy. Thereon, a complex structure of sulfasalazine was obtained that involves two bromodomains and could be a potential starting point for the design of a bivalent BRD4 inhibitor.

Biological and In silico Studies on Synthetic Analogues of Tyrosine Betaine as Inhibitors of Neprilysin - A Drug Target for the Treatment of Heart Failure

2018 ◽  
Vol 24 (17) ◽  
pp. 1899-1904
Author(s):  
Daniel Fabio Kawano ◽  
Marcelo Rodrigues de Carvalho ◽  
Mauricio Ferreira Marcondes Machado ◽  
Adriana Karaoglanovic Carmona ◽  
Gilberto Ubida Leite Braga ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Heart Failure ◽  
Secondary Metabolites ◽  
Structural Similarity ◽  
Structural Features ◽  
Major Constituent ◽  
Binding Modes ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
In Silico Studies ◽  
Nep Inhibition

Background: Fungal secondary metabolites are important sources for the discovery of new pharmaceuticals, as exemplified by penicillin, lovastatin and cyclosporine. Searching for secondary metabolites of the fungi Metarhizium spp., we previously identified tyrosine betaine as a major constituent. Methods: Because of the structural similarity with other inhibitors of neprilysin (NEP), an enzyme explored for the treatment of heart failure, we devised the synthesis of tyrosine betaine and three analogues to be subjected to in vitro NEP inhibition assays and to molecular modeling studies. Results: In spite of the similar binding modes with other NEP inhibitors, these compounds only displayed moderate inhibitory activities (IC50 ranging from 170.0 to 52.9 µM). However, they enclose structural features required to hinder passive blood brain barrier permeation (BBB). Conclusions: Tyrosine betaine remains as a starting point for the development of NEP inhibitors because of the low probability of BBB permeation and, consequently, of NEP inhibition at the Central Nervous System, which is associated to an increment in the Aβ levels and, accordingly, with a higher risk for the onset of Alzheimer's disease.

The Undiscovered Potential of Essential Oils for Treating SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19)

2020 ◽  
Vol 26 (41) ◽  
pp. 5261-5277
Author(s):  
Peter J. Wilkin ◽  
Minnatallah Al-Yozbaki ◽  
Alex George ◽  
Girish K. Gupta ◽  
Cornelia M. Wilson
Keyword(s):  
Essential Oils ◽  
Clinical Symptoms ◽  
Synergistic Effects ◽  
World Health Organisation ◽  
Diagnostic Techniques ◽  
World Health ◽  
Clinical Aspects ◽  
Traditional Use ◽  
In Silico Studies ◽  
The World

On 11th March 2020, the World Health Organisation (WHO) announced a pandemic caused by a novel beta-coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, designated COVID-19. The virus emerged in December 2019 in Wuhan, China, has spread across the world as a global pandemic. The traditional use of medicines from plants can be traced back to 60,000 years. Global interest in the development of drugs from natural products has increased greatly during the last few decades. Essential oils (EOs) have been studied through the centuries and are known to possess various pharmaceutical properties. In the present review, we have highlighted the current biology, epidemiology, various clinical aspects, different diagnostic techniques, clinical symptoms, and management of COVID-19. An overview of the antiviral action of EOs, along with their proposed mechanism of action and in silico studies conducted, is described. The reported studies of EOs' antiviral activity highlight the baseline data about the additive and/or synergistic effects among primary or secondary phytoconstituents found in individual oils, combinations or blends of oils and between EOs and antiviral drugs. It is hoped that further research will provide better insights into EOs' potential to limit viral infection and aid in providing solutions through natural, therapeutically active agents.

Approach in improving potency and selectivity of kinase inhibitors: Allosteric kinase inhibitors

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shangfei Wei ◽  
Tianming Zhao ◽  
Jie Wang ◽  
Xin Zhai
Keyword(s):  
Protein Interactions ◽  
Kinase Inhibitors ◽  
Binding Modes ◽  
Allosteric Inhibitors ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Allosteric Sites ◽  
Protein Functions ◽  
Regulate Protein

: Allostery is an efficient and particular regulatory mechanism to regulate protein functions. Different from conserved orthosteric sites, allosteric sites have distinctive functional mechanism to form the complex regulatory network. In drug discovery, kinase inhibitors targeting the allosteric pockets have received extensive attention for the advantages of high selectivity and low toxicity. The approval of trametinib as the first allosteric inhibitor validated that allosteric inhibitors could be used as effective therapeutic drugs for treatment of diseases. To date, a wide range of allosteric inhibitors have been identified. In this perspective, we outline different binding modes and potential advantages of allosteric inhibitors. In the meantime, the research processes of typical and novel allosteric inhibitors are described briefly in terms of structureactivity relationships, ligand-protein interactions and in vitro and in vivo activity. Additionally, challenges as well as opportunities are presented.

A New Series Of 1,3-Dimethylxanthine Based Adenosine A2a Receptor Antagonists As A Non-Dopaminergic Treatment Of Parkinson’s Disease

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 ◽  
Author(s):  
Suman Rohilla ◽  
Ranju Bansal ◽  
Puneet Chauhan ◽  
Sonja Kachler ◽  
Karl-Norbert Klotz
Keyword(s):  
Parkinson’S Disease ◽  
Parkinson's Disease ◽  
Molecular Docking ◽  
Binding Affinity ◽  
Docking Studies ◽  
Binding Modes ◽  
Molecular Docking Studies ◽  
In Silico Docking ◽  
Adenosine A2a Receptor Antagonists ◽  
The Impact

Background: Adenosine receptors (AR) have emerged as competent and innovative nondopaminergic targets for the development of potential drug candidates and thus constitute an effective and safer treatment approach for Parkinson’s disease (PD). Xanthine derivatives are considered as potential candidates for the treatment Parkinson’s disease due to their potent A2A AR antagonistic properties. Objective: The objectives of the work are to study the impact of substituting N7-position of 8-m/pchloropropoxyphenylxanthine structure on in vitro binding affinity of compounds with various AR subtypes, in vivo antiparkinsonian activity and binding modes of newly synthesized xanthines with A2A AR in molecular docking studies. Methods: Several new 7-substituted 8-m/p-chloropropoxyphenylxanthine analogues have been prepared. Adenosine receptor binding assays were performed to study the binding interactions with various subtypes and perphenazine induced rat catatonia model was used for antiparkinsonian activity. Molecular docking studies were performed using Schrödinger molecular modeling interface. Results: 8-para-substituted xanthine 9b bearing an N7-propyl substituent displayed the highest affinity towards A2A AR (Ki = 0.75 µM) with moderate selectivity versus other AR subtypes. 7-Propargyl analogue 9d produced significantly longlasting antiparkinsonian effects and also produced potent and selective binding affinity towards A2A AR. In silico docking studies further highlighted the crucial structural components required to develop xanthine derived potential A2A AR ligands as antiparkinsonian agents. Conclusion: A new series of 7-substituted 8-m/p-chloropropoxyphenylxanthines having good affinity for A2A AR and potent antiparkinsonian activity has been developed.

scholarly journals Identification of Potential Kinase Inhibitors within the PI3K/AKT Pathway of Leishmania Species

Biomolecules ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (7) ◽  
pp. 1037
Author(s):  
Rodrigo Ochoa ◽  
Amaya Ortega-Pajares ◽  
Florencia A. Castello ◽  
Federico Serral ◽  
Darío Fernández Do Porto ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Kinase Inhibitors ◽  
Screening Method ◽  
Molecular Targets ◽  
Leishmania Species ◽  
Akt Pathway ◽  
Protein Protein Interaction ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
Binding Pockets ◽  
Protein Protein Interaction Networks

Leishmaniasis is a public health disease that requires the development of more effective treatments and the identification of novel molecular targets. Since blocking the PI3K/AKT pathway has been successfully studied as an effective anticancer strategy for decades, we examined whether the same approach would also be feasible in Leishmania due to their high amount and diverse set of annotated proteins. Here, we used a best reciprocal hits protocol to identify potential protein kinase homologues in an annotated human PI3K/AKT pathway. We calculated their ligandibility based on available bioactivity data of the reported homologues and modelled their 3D structures to estimate the druggability of their binding pockets. The models were used to run a virtual screening method with molecular docking. We found and studied five protein kinases in five different Leishmania species, which are AKT, CDK, AMPK, mTOR and GSK3 homologues from the studied pathways. The compounds found for different enzymes and species were analysed and suggested as starting point scaffolds for the design of inhibitors. We studied the kinases’ participation in protein–protein interaction networks, and the potential deleterious effects, if inhibited, were supported with the literature. In the case of Leishmania GSK3, an inhibitor of its human counterpart, prioritized by our method, was validated in vitro to test its anti-Leishmania activity and indirectly infer the presence of the enzyme in the parasite. The analysis contributes to improving the knowledge about the presence of similar signalling pathways in Leishmania, as well as the discovery of compounds acting against any of these kinases as potential molecular targets in the parasite.

Wankelende wetenschap. De studie van de journalistiek & de revolutie in de media

2010 ◽  
Vol 38 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Frank van Vree
Keyword(s):  
Professional Practice ◽  
Structural Changes ◽  
Traditional Media ◽  
The Public ◽  
Journalism Studies ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
The Media ◽  
The Public Sphere ◽  
New Research ◽  
The Revolution

An Unstable Discipline. Journalism Studies & the Revolution in the Media An Unstable Discipline. Journalism Studies & the Revolution in the Media During the last decade media and journalism have got into turmoil; landslides have changed the traditional media landscape, overturning familiar marking points, institutions and patterns. To understand these radical changes journalism studies should not only develop a new research agenda, but also review its approach and perspective.This article looks back on recent development in the field and argues for a more cohesive perspective, taking journalism as a professional practice as its starting point. Furthermore a plea is made for a thorough research into the structural changes of the public sphere and the role and position of journalism.

scholarly journals Natural Compound Modulates the Cervical Cancer Microenvironment—A Pharmacophore Guided Molecular Modelling Approaches

2018 ◽  
Vol 7 (12) ◽  
pp. 551 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shailima Rampogu ◽  
Doneti Ravinder ◽  
Smita Pawar ◽  
Keun Lee
Keyword(s):  
Cervical Cancer ◽  
Md Simulations ◽  
Data Bank ◽  
Docking Studies ◽  
New Drugs ◽  
Binding Modes ◽  
Cervical Cancer Cells ◽  
Causative Agents ◽  
Nitric Oxide Synthase 2 ◽  
Oxide Synthase

Cervical cancer is regarded as one of the major burdens noticed in women next to breast cancer. Although, human papilloma viruses (HPVs) are regarded as the principal causative agents, they require certain other factors such as oestrogen hormone to induce cervical cancer. Aromatase is an enzyme that converts androgens into oestrogens and hindering this enzyme could subsequently hamper the formation of oestrogen thereby alleviating the disease. Accordingly, in the current investigation, a structure based pharmacophore was generated considering two proteins bearing the Protein Data Bank (PDB) codes 3EQM (pharm 1) and 3S7S (pharm 2), respectively. The two models were employed as the 3D query to screen the in-house built natural compounds database. The obtained 51 compounds were escalated to molecular docking studies to decipher on the binding affinities and to predict the quintessential binding modes which were affirmed by molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. The compound has induced dose-dependent down regulation of PP2B, Nitric oxide synthase-2 (NOS2), and Interleukin 6 (IL-6) genes in the HeLa cells and has modulated the expression of apoptotic genes such as Bax, Bcl2, and caspases-3 at different concentrations. These results guide us to comprehend that the identified aromatase inhibitor was effective against the cervical cancer cells and additionally could server as scaffolds in designing new drugs.

scholarly journals EVALUATION OF FUNCTIONAL PERFORMANCE OF THE BANKING SYSTEM OF UKRAINE IN CONDITIONS FINANCIAL INSTABILITY

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nataliia Danik ◽  
Kateryna Novak ◽  
Anastasiia Yakovenko
Keyword(s):  
Economic Crisis ◽  
Financial Stability ◽  
Structural Changes ◽  
Banking Sector ◽  
Synergistic Effects ◽  
Banking System ◽  
Scientific Article ◽  
Financial Instability ◽  
Industrial Complex ◽  
The Impact

The article covers the problems of the functioning of the banking sector of Ukraine during 2018-2021, as one of the main sectors of the financial market and the national economy as a whole. When analyzing the state of the banking sector, regularities and general trends in the functioning of the banking sector of Ukraine have been established, and appropriate calculations have been made. The impact of global financial crises on the activities of banking structures, which must operate in conditions of constant financial instability, is described. Today, the whole world, including Ukraine, is on the verge of a global financial and economic crisis. This raises the question of whether Ukrainian banks have the necessary margin of resilience to vulnerabilities to the financial and economic crisis. In recent years, the functioning and development of the banking system has been characterized by increased financial stability, the level of bank capitalization, liquidity, some improvement in asset quality, reducing risks in banking, as well as the presence of positive structural changes. Today, Ukraine's banking system operates in a complex socio-economic and legal environment, most of which - macroeconomic instability, irrational structure of the industrial complex, the crisis of science and technology, imperfect fiscal and monetary policy, low level of effective demand - complicate sustainable development banking sector and increase competitiveness. In conditions of instability, intensification of turbulent processes, the development of the banking system requires new innovative approaches to determining the mechanisms of effective functioning and stable development based on a system-synergetic approach, which led to the choice and relevance of the chosen topic of this scientific article. Efficiency of banks is a multicomponent, multifaceted, multidimensional system characteristic that depends on many factors and is an effective indicator of performance of functions and achievement of goals and objectives of banks development provided financial stability based on financial stability and dynamic balance, achievement of multiplicative and synergistic effects.

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