scholarly journals Discovery of New Hits as Antitrypanosomal Agents by In Silico and In Vitro Assays Using Neolignan-Inspired Natural Products from Nectandra leucantha

Molecules ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (14) ◽  
pp. 4116
Author(s):  
Sheila C. Araujo ◽  
Fernanda S. Sousa ◽  
Thais A. Costa-Silva ◽  
Andre G. Tempone ◽  
João Henrique G. Lago ◽  
...  

In the present study, the phytochemical study of the n-hexane extract from flowers of Nectandra leucantha (Lauraceae) afforded six known neolignans (1–6) as well as one new metabolite (7), which were characterized by analysis of NMR, IR, UV, and ESI-HRMS data. The new compound 7 exhibited potent activity against the clinically relevant intracellular forms of T. cruzi (amastigotes), with an IC50 value of 4.3 μM and no observed mammalian cytotoxicity in fibroblasts (CC50 > 200 μM). Based on the results obtained and our previous antitrypanosomal data of 50 natural and semi-synthetic related neolignans, 2D and 3D molecular modeling techniques were employed to help the design of new neolignan-based compounds with higher activity. The results obtained from the models were important to understand the main structural features related to the biological response of the neolignans and to aid in the design of new neolignan-based compounds with better biological activity. Therefore, the results acquired from phytochemical, biological, and in silico studies showed that the integration of experimental and computational techniques consists of a powerful tool for the discovery of new prototypes for development of new drugs to treat CD.

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 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 58-71 ◽  
Author(s):  
Suchitil Rivera-Marrero ◽  
Laura Fernández-Maza ◽  
Samila León-Chaviano ◽  
Marquiza Sablón-Carrazana ◽  
Alberto Bencomo-Martínez ◽  
...  

Background: Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia. Neuroimaging methods have widened the horizons for AD diagnosis and therapy. The goals of this work are the synthesis of 2-(3-fluoropropyl)-6-methoxynaphthalene (5) and its [18F]-radiolabeled counterpart ([18F]Amylovis), the in silico and in vitro comparative evaluations of [18F]Amylovis and [11C]Pittsburg compound B (PIB) and the in vivo preclinical evaluation of [18F]Amylovis in transgenic and wild mice. </p><p> Methods: Iron-catalysis cross coupling reaction, followed by fluorination and radiofluorination steps were carried out to obtain 5 and 18F-Amylovis. Protein/A&#223; plaques binding, biodistribution, PET/CT Imaging and immunohistochemical studies were conducted in healthy/transgenic mice. </p><p> Results: The synthesis of 5 was successful obtained. Comparative in silico studies predicting that 5 should have affinity to the A&#946;-peptide, mainly through &#960;-&#960; interactions. According to a dynamic simulation study the ligand-A&#946; peptide complexes are stable in simulation-time (&#916;G = -5.31 kcal/mol). [18F]Amylovis was obtained with satisfactory yield, high radiochemical purity and specific activity. The [18F]Amylovis log Poct/PBS value suggests its potential ability for crossing the blood brain barrier (BBB). According to in vitro assays, [18F]Amylovis has an adequate stability in time. Higher affinity to A&#946; plaques were found for [18F]Amylovis (Kd 0.16 nmol/L) than PIB (Kd 8.86 nmol/L) in brain serial sections of 3xTg-AD mice. Biodistribution in healthy mice showed that [18F]Amylovis crosses the BBB with rapid uptake (7 %ID/g at 5 min) and good washout (0.11&#177;0.03 %ID/g at 60 min). Comparative PET dynamic studies of [18F]Amylovis in healthy and transgenic APPSwe/PS1dE9 mice, revealed a significant high uptake in the mice model. </p><p> Conclusion: The in silico, in vitro and in vivo results justify that [18F]Amylovis should be studied as a promissory PET imaging agent to detect the presence of A&#946; senile plaques.


Plants ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (8) ◽  
pp. 1031 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sameh S. Elhady ◽  
Enas E. Eltamany ◽  
Amera E. Shaaban ◽  
Alaa A. Bagalagel ◽  
Yosra A. Muhammad ◽  
...  

Phytochemical study of Chiliadenus montanus aerial parts afforded six compounds; Intermedeol (1), 5α-hydroperoxy-β-eudesmol (2), 5,7-dihydroxy-3,3’,4’-trimethoxyflavone (3), 5,7,4’-trihydroxy-3,6,3’-trimethoxyflavone (jaceidin) (4), eudesm-11,13-ene-1β,4β,7α-triol (5) and 1β,4β,7β,11-tetrahydroxyeudesmane (6). These compounds were identified based on their NMR spectral data. The isolated compounds were tested for their cytotoxicity against liver cancer cell line (HepG2) and breast cancer cell line (MCF-7). Jaceidin flavonoid (4) exhibited the highest cytotoxic effect in vitro. Therefore, both of jaceidin and C. montanus extract were evaluated for their in vivo anti-tumor activity against Ehrlich’s ascites carcinoma (EAC). Compared to control group, jaceidin and C. montanus extract decreased the tumor weight, improved the histological picture of tumor cells, lowered the levels of VEGF and ameliorate the oxidative stress. Molecular docking and in silico studies suggested that jaceidin was a selective inhibitor of VEGF-mediated angiogenesis with excellent membrane permeability and oral bioavailability.


2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. 353-363 ◽  
Author(s):  
Che Puteh Osman ◽  
Nor Hadiani Ismail ◽  
Aty Widyawaruyanti ◽  
Syahrul Imran ◽  
Lidya Tumewu ◽  
...  

Background: A phytochemical study on medicinal plants used for the treatment of fever and malaria in Africa yielded metabolites with potential antiplasmodial activity, many of which are Anthraquinones (AQ). AQs have similar sub-structure as naphthoquinones and xanthones, which were previously reported as novel antiplasmodial agents. </P><P> Objective: The present study aimed to investigate the structural requirements of 9,10- anthraquinones with hydroxy, methoxy and methyl substituents to exert strong antiplasmodial activity and to investigate their possible mode of action. </P><P> Methods: Thirty-one AQs were synthesized through Friedel-Crafts reaction and assayed for antiplasmodial activity in vitro against Plasmodium falciparum (3D7). The selected compounds were tested for toxicity and probed for their mode of action against β-hematin dimerization through HRP2 and lipid catalyses. The most active compounds were subjected to a docking study using AutoDock 4.2. </P><P> Results: The active AQs have similar common structural characteristics. However, it is difficult to establish a structure-activity relationship as certain compounds are active despite the absence of the structural features exhibited by other active AQs. They have either ortho- or meta-arranged substituents and one free hydroxyl and/or carbonyl groups. When C-6 is substituted with a methyl group, the activity of AQs generally increased. 1,3-DihydroxyAQ (15) showed good antiplasmodial activity with an IC50 value of 1.08 &#181;M, and when C-6 was substituted with a methyl group, 1,3- dihydroxy-6-methylAQ (24) showed stronger antiplasmodial activity with an IC50 value of 0.02 &#181;M, with better selectivity index. Compounds 15 and 24 showed strong HRP2 activity and mild toxicity against hepatocyte cells. Molecular docking studies showed that the hydroxyl groups at the ortho (23) and meta (24) positions are able to form hydrogen bonds with heme, of 3.49 Å and 3.02 Å, respectively. </P><P> Conclusion: The activity of 1,3-dihydroxy-6-methylAQ (24) could be due to their inhibition against the free heme dimerization by inhibiting the HRP2 protein. It was further observed that the anthraquinone moiety of compound 24 bind in parallel to the heme ring through hydrophobic interactions, thus preventing crystallization of heme into hemozoin.


2021 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Raju Lipin ◽  
Anantha Krishnan Dhanabalan ◽  
Krishnasamy Gunasekaran ◽  
Rajadurai Vijay Solomon

AbstractFavipiravir is found to show excellent in-vitro inhibition activity against Nipah virus. To explore the structure–property relationship of Favipiravir, in silico designing of a series of piperazine substituted Favipiravir derivatives are attempted and computational screening has been done to evaluate its bimolecular interactions with Nipah virus. The geometrical features of all the molecules have been addressed from Density Functional Theory calculations. Chemical reactivity descriptor analysis was carried out to understand various reactivity parameters. The drug-likeness properties were estimated by a detailed ADMET study. The binding ability and the mode of binding of these derivatives into the Nipah virus are obtained from molecular docking studies. Our calculations show greater binding ability for the designed inhibitors compared to that of the experimentally reported molecule. Overall, the present work proves to offers new insights and guidelines for synthetic chemists to develop new drugs using piperazine substituted Favipiravir in the treatment of Nipah virus.


2018 ◽  
Vol 63 ◽  
pp. 285-295 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yanyan Liu ◽  
Jianjie Fu ◽  
Wenxiao Pan ◽  
Qiao Xue ◽  
Xian Liu ◽  
...  

Author(s):  
Shraddha Phadke ◽  
Devender Pathak ◽  
Rakesh Somani

Aims: Design and in silico studies of 2,5-disubstituted triazole and thiadiazole derivatives as Pteridine Reductase 1 inhibitors. With a view to develop effective agents against Leishmaniasis, 2-substituted-5-[(1H-benzimidazol-2yl) methyl] azole derivatives (A1-A12) were designed against the target enzyme Pteridine reductase 1. Methodology: The series was designed by targeting Pteridine reductase 1 which is an enzyme responsible for folate and pterin metabolism. Based on thorough study of the enzyme structure and structural features of ligands required for optimum interaction with the enzyme, a series of 12 compounds consisting of 2,5-disubstituted 1,2,4-triazole and 1,3,4-thiadiazole derivatives was designed. In silico studies were carried out which included docking studies (using V Life software) to understand binding of the compounds with enzyme PTR1, ADMET studies, drug likeness studies for physicochemical properties and bioactivity studies to understand the possible mechanism of action of the compounds. These studies were undertaken using online softwares, molinspiration and admetSAR web servers. Results: Compounds A10 and A12 gave the best docking scores of -59.9765 and -60.4373 respectively that were close to dihydrobiopterin (original substrate). All the compounds complied with Lipinski’s rule of five. Most of the compounds displayed favorable ADMET properties. Conclusion: The 2,5-disubstituted 1,2,4-triazole and 1,3,4-thiadiazole derivatives exhibited good binding affinity for PTR1 enzyme (PDB code: 1E92). The docking scores indicated that enzyme binding may be governed by the nature and size of the substituents on the azole ring. The compounds display well-defined drug-like and pharmacokinetic properties based on Lipinski’s rule of five with additional physicochemical and ADMET parameters. Bioactivity studies suggested the possible drug mechanism as enzyme inhibition. Hence, this study provides evidence for consideration of valuable ligands in 2,5-disubstituted 1,2,4-triazole and 1,3,4-thiadiazole derivatives as potential pteridine reductase 1 inhibitor and further in vitro and in vivo investigations may prove its therapeutic potential.


2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (24) ◽  
pp. 2179-2190
Author(s):  
Caleb M Kam ◽  
Amanda L Tauber ◽  
Stephan M Levonis ◽  
Stephanie S Schweiker

Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) members PARP1 and PARP14 belong to an 18-member superfamily of post-translational modifying enzymes. A library of 9 novel non-NAD analog amine compounds was designed, synthesized and evaluated for inhibitory activity against PARP1 and PARP14. Both in silico studies and in vitro assays identified compound 2 as a potential PARP1 inhibitor, inhibiting activity by 93 ± 2% (PARP14 inhibition: 0 ± 6%), and 7 as a potential PARP14 inhibitor, inhibiting activity by 91 ± 2% (PARP1 inhibition: 18 ± 4%), at 10-μm concentration. Key in silico interactions with TYR907 in PARP1 and TYR1620 and TYR1646 in PARP14 have been identified. Compound 2 and compound 7 have been identified as potential leads for the development of selective PARP inhibitors.


2020 ◽  
Vol 16 ◽  
Author(s):  
Silvina Mariela Grioli ◽  
Eliana Noelia Alonso ◽  
Evangelina Mascaró ◽  
Santiago Armando Stabile ◽  
María Julia Ferronato ◽  
...  

Background: 1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (calcitriol) shows potent growth-inhibitory properties on different can-cer cell lines but its hypercalcemic effects have severely hampered its therapeutic application. Therefore, it is important todevelop synthetic calcitriol analogues that retain or even increase its antitumoral effects and lack hypercalcemic activity. Based on previous evidence of the potent antitumor effects of the synthetic alkynylphosphonate EM1 analogue, we have now synthesized a derivative called SG. Objective: The aim of the present work is to evaluate the calcemic activity and the antitumor effect of SG, comparing these effects with those exerted by calcitriol and with those previously published for EM1. In addition, we propose to analyse by in silico studies the chemical structure-biological function relationship of these molecules. Methods: We performed the synthesis of vinylphosphonate SG analogue; in vitro assays on different cancer cell lines; in vivo assays on mice; and in silico assays applying computational molecular modelling. Results: The SG compound lacks hypercalcemic activity, similar to the parent compound EM1. However, the antitumor ac-tivity was blunted, as no antiproliferative or antimigratory effects were observed. By in silico assays, we demostrated that SG analogue has lower affinity for the VDR-ligand binding domain than EM1 compound, due to lack of interaction with the important residues His305 and His397. Conclusion: These results demonstrate that chemical modification in the lateral side chain of the SG analogue affects the antitumoral activity observed previously for EM1 but does not affect the calcemic activity. These results contribute to the rational design and synthesis of novel calcitriol analogues.


2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (2) ◽  
pp. 18-32
Author(s):  
Sergey M. Andreev ◽  
Nadezhda N. Shershakova ◽  
Ksenia V. Kozhikhova ◽  
Artyom A. Shatilov ◽  
Anastasiia V. Timofeeva ◽  
...  

The epidemic associated with the new Sars-CoV-2 coronavirus has affected almost all countries of the world and no reliable treatment for this infection exists yet. Many laboratories in the world are currently conducting intensive experimental and theoretical/in silico studies to find effective drugs specific for this disease (COVID-19), but unfortunately, it may take a long time before new drugs appear in the clinical practice. One of the currently widely accepted approaches for finding active compounds is based on the possibility of using existing drugs approved by government medical organizations (as the FDA). Their choice is based on screening, based on the use of computer models that evaluate the specific binding (energy minimization) of such drugs to target molecules that are important for the life cycle. Thus, a few well-known antiviral drugs against HIV, hepatitis C and others selected on this basis exerted an antiviral effect in vitro, but their real effectiveness was far from expected. It should be emphasized that the severe clinical manifestation of the disease is an acute respiratory distress syndrome, mediated by oxidative stress and an aggressive immune attack on its own cells. In this regard, the use of compounds with high antioxidant activity could have advantages both prophylactically and medically. There is a huge range of natural compounds, including official and traditional medicine, which represent valuable unlimited potential for COVID-19 therapy, the advantage of such compounds in their low toxicity. In this review, we tried to focus on the clinical and pharmacological properties of natural substances, mainly flavonoids, which can become promising drugs for the treatment and prevention of COVID-19. The review includes information on possible virus targets and antiviral drugs. Much attention is paid to the question of inhibition of viral activity. Based on published data, including structural features of various compounds, a prediction is made about the prospects of using these compounds as inhibitors of viral activity, as well as anti-inflammatory drugs for the treatment of COVID-19. An important step in the analysis of compounds was the study of the possibility of their interaction with cellular targets of the virus, as well as the ability to bind to the proteins of the Sars-CoV-2 virus itself.


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