Ortiz-Zamora L, Ferreira JV, de Oliveira NKS, de Molfetta FA, Hage-Melim LIS, Fernandes CP, Oliveira AEMFM. Potential implications of vouacapan compounds for insecticidal activity: an in silico study.
Recent Pat Biotechnol 2022;
16:155-173. [PMID:
34994338 DOI:
10.2174/1872208316666220106110902]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2021] [Revised: 08/11/2021] [Accepted: 11/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND
From the fruits and seeds of the species of Pterodon, it is possible to obtain two main products: the essential oil and oleoresin. In oleoresin, numerous vouacapan compounds have been demonstrated to have biological potential, including insecticidal activity.
OBJECTIVE
In silico studies were performed to identify potential candidates for natural insecticides among the vouacapans present in the genus Pterodon.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Molecular docking and molecular dynamics studies were performed to analyze the interaction of vouacapan compounds with acetylcholinesterase of Drosophila melanogaster. Pharmacokinetic parameters regarding physicochemical properties, plasma protein binding, and activity in the central nervous system were evaluated. The toxicological properties of the selected molecules were predicted using Malathion as the reference compound.
RESULTS
6α,7β-dimethoxivouacapan-17-ene (15) showed a high number of interactions and scores in molecular docking studies. This result suggests that this compound exhibits an inhibitory activity of the enzyme acetylcholinesterase. Regarding physicochemical properties, this compound showed the best results, besides presenting low cutaneous permeability values, suggesting null absorption. Molecular dynamics studies demonstrated few conformational changes in the structure of the complex formed by compound 4 and acetylcholinesterase enzyme throughout the simulation time.
CONCLUSION
It was determined that compound 4 (vouacapan 6α,7β,17β,19-tetraol) is an excellent candidate for usage as a natural insecticide.
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