Identification of Anti‐Cancer Agents Targeting Aldo‐Keto Reductase (AKR) 1C3 Protein by Pharmacophore Modeling, Virtual Screening and Molecular Docking

Exploring the anti-SARS-CoV-2 main protease potential of FDA approved marine drugs using integrated machine learning templates as predictive tools

Since the inception of COVID-19 pandemic in December 2019, socio-economic crisis begins to rise globally and SARS-CoV-2 was responsible for this outbreak. With this outbreak, currently, world is in need of effective and safe eradication of COVID-19. Hence, in this study anti-SAR-Co-2 potential of FDA approved marine drugs (Biological macromolecules) data set is explored computationally using machine learning algorithm of Flare by Cresset Group, Field template, 3D-QSAR and activity Atlas model was generated against FDA approved M-pro SARS-CoV-2 repurposed drugs including Nafamostat, Hydroxyprogesterone caporate, and Camostat mesylate. Data sets were categorized into active and inactive molecules on the basis of their structural and biological resemblance with repurposed COVID-19 drugs. Then these active compounds were docked against the five different M-pro proteins co-crystal structures. Highest LF VS score of Holichondrin B against all main protease co-crystal structures ranked it as lead drug. Finally, this new technique of drug repurposing remained efficient to explore the anti-SARS-CoV-2 potential of FDA approved marine drugs.

Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of 2-(Halophenyl)benzoxazole-5-carboxylic acids as Potential Anti-inflammatory and Cytotoxic Agent with Molecular Docking Studies

2-(Halophenyl)benzoxazole-5-carboxylic acids with mono-halogen (chloro, bromo and fluoro) substituted at ortho-, meta- and para-positions on the phenyl ring were designed and synthesized based on significance of presence of halogen in increasing number of marketed halogenated drugs and importance of benzoxazoles. These 2-alogenatedphenylbenzoxazole-5-carboxylic acids and their methyl esters were screened for anti-inflammatory activity, and cytotoxicity. 2-(3-Chlorophenyl)benzoxaole-5-carboxylic acid ( 6b ) exhibited significant anti-inflammatory activity with IC 50 values of 0.103 µmol/mL almost equivalent to the standard drug ibuprofen (0.101 µmol/mL). 2-(4-Chlorophenyl)benzoxaole-5-carboxylic acid ( 6c ) showed excellent cytotoxic activity against 22Rv1 cells (human prostate carcinoma epithelial cell line) with IC 50 value of 1.54 μM better than that of standard drug doxorubicin having IC 50 value of 2.32 μM. More importantly, the selectivity index of this potential molecule was found to be 57.74. Molecular docking analysis resulted in good binding interactions of these compounds with their respective biochemical targets viz. Cyclooxygenase-2 and aldo-keto reductase IC3.