Selected 4-phenyl hydroxycoumarins: In vitro cytotoxicity, teratogenic effect on zebrafish (Danio rerio) embryos and molecular docking study

NADPHnet: a novel strategy to predict compounds for regulation of NADPH metabolism via network-based methods

Identification of compounds to modulate NADPH metabolism is crucial for understanding complex diseases and developing effective therapies. However, the complex nature of NADPH metabolism poses challenges in achieving this goal. In this study, we proposed a novel strategy named NADPHnet to predict key proteins and drug-target interactions related to NADPH metabolism via network-based methods. Different from traditional approaches only focusing on one single protein, NADPHnet could screen compounds to modulate NADPH metabolism from a comprehensive view. Specifically, NADPHnet identified key proteins involved in regulation of NADPH metabolism using network-based methods, and characterized the impact of natural products on NADPH metabolism using a combined score, NADPH-Score. NADPHnet demonstrated a broader applicability domain and improved accuracy in the external validation set. This approach was further employed along with molecular docking to identify 27 compounds from a natural product library, 6 of which exhibited concentration-dependent changes of cellular NADPH level within 100 μM, with Oxyberberine showing promising effects even at 10 μM. Mechanistic and pathological analyses of Oxyberberine suggest potential novel mechanisms to affect diabetes and cancer. Overall, NADPHnet offers a promising method for prediction of NADPH metabolism modulation and advances drug discovery for complex diseases.

Anti-Cancer Effects of α-Cubebenoate Derived from Schisandra chinensis in CT26 Colon Cancer Cells

α-Cubebenoate derived from Schisandra chinensis has been reported to possess anti-allergic, anti-obesity, and anti-inflammatory effects and to exhibit anti-septic activity, but its anti-cancer effects have not been investigated. To examine the anti-cancer activity of α-cubebenoate, we investigated its effects on the proliferation, apoptosis, and metastasis of CT26 cells. The viabilities of CT26 cells (a murine colorectal carcinoma cell line) and HCT116 cells (a human colon cancer cell line) were remarkably and dose-dependently diminished by α-cubebenoate, whereas the viability of CCD-18Co cells (a normal human fibroblast cell line) were unaffected. Furthermore, α-cubebenoate treatment increased the number of apoptotic CT26 cells as compared with Vehicle-treated cells and increased Bax, Bcl-2, Cas-3, and Cleaved Cas-3 protein levels by activating the MAP kinase signaling pathway. α-Cubebenoate also suppressed CT26 migration by regulating the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. Furthermore, similar reductions were observed in the expression levels of some migration-related proteins including VEGFA, MMP2, and MMP9. Furthermore, reduced VEGFA expression was found to be accompanied by the phosphorylations of FAK and MLC in the downstream signaling pathway of adhesion protein. The results of the present study provide novel evidence that α-cubebenoate can stimulate apoptosis and inhibit metastasis by regulating the MAPK, PI3K/AKT, and FAK/MLC signaling pathways.

Enzyme-Responsive Amphiphilic Peptide Nanoparticles for Biocompatible and Efficient Drug Delivery

Self-assembled peptide nanostructures recently have gained much attention as drug delivery systems. As biomolecules, peptides have enhanced biocompatibility and biodegradability compared to polymer-based carriers. We introduce a peptide nanoparticle system containing arginine, histidine, and an enzyme-responsive core of repeating GLFG oligopeptides. GLFG oligopeptides exhibit specific sensitivity towards the enzyme cathepsin B that helps effective controlled release of cargo molecules in the cytoplasm. Arginine can induce cell penetration, and histidine facilitates lysosomal escape by its buffering capacity. Herein, we propose an enzyme-responsive amphiphilic peptide delivery system (Arg-His-(Gly-Phe-Lue-Gly)₃, RH-(GFLG)₃). The self-assembled RH-(GFLG)₃ globular nanoparticle structure exhibited a positive charge and formulation stability for 35 days. Nile Red-tagged RH-(GFLG)₃ nanoparticles showed good cellular uptake compared to the non-enzyme-responsive control groups with d-form peptides (LD (^LRH-^D(GFLG)₃), DL (^DRH-L(GFLG)₃), and DD (^DRH-^D(GFLG)₃). The RH-(GFLG)₃ nanoparticles showed negligible cytotoxicity in HeLa cells and human RBCs. To determine the drug delivery efficacy, we introduced the anticancer drug doxorubicin (Dox) in the RH-(GFLG)₃ nanoparticle system. LL-Dox exhibited formulation stability, maintaining the physical properties of the nanostructure, as well as a robust anticancer effect in HeLa cells compared to DD-Dox. These results indicate that the enzyme-sensitive RH-(GFLG)₃ peptide nanoparticles are promising candidates as drug delivery carriers for biomedical applications.

Development of a phos-tag-based fluorescent biosensor for sensitive detection of protein kinase in cancer cells

Protein kinase can catalyze the phosphorylation of peptides/proteins, and it is closely associated with various human diseases such as cancer, immune deficiencies, and Alzheimer’s disease. Sensitive monitoring of protein kinase...

Another look at reactions of 4-hydroxycoumarin with hydroxyl radical in the environment: deprotonation and diffusion effects

Quantum chemistry calculations suggest that chemical fate of the anticoagulant rodenticide 4-hydroxycoumarin in the environment is crucially dependent on deprotonation in aqueous medium.

Synthesis and antiproliferative evaluation of some iron chelators as polyamine transporter targeting agents

A series of kojic acid derivatives based on monoamines, diamines, and triamines have been synthesized in good yield and purity. A spermidine (spd) rescue experiment was applied against MCF-7 cells to evaluate the polyamine transporter selectivity, and in vitro antiproliferative effects were determined against Hela and DU-145 cell lines. Overall, 5b showed the best selectivity for the polyamine transporter and antiproliferative effects. Therefore, the in-silico metabolism profile and ADMET properties of the title compounds were calculated by the PreADMET server. Additionally, physicochemical properties of ligands were predicted by using the Molinspiration online property calculation server.

Design and development of novel therapeutics for coronary heart disease treatment based on cholesteryl ester transfer protein inhibition - in silico approach

Cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) belongs to the group of enzymes which inhibition have the application in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases. This study presents QSAR modeling for a set of compounds acting as CETP inhibitors based on the Monte Carlo optimization with SMILES notation and molecular graph-based descriptors, and field-based 3D modeling. A 3D QSAR model was developed for one random split into the training and test sets, whereas conformation independent QSAR models were developed for three random splits, with the results suggesting there is an excellent correlation between them. Various statistical approaches were used to assess the statistical quality of the developed models, including robustness and predictability, and the obtained results were very good. This study used a novel statistical metric known as the index of ideality of correlation for the final assessment of the model, and the results that were obtained suggested that the model was good. Also, molecular fragments which account for the increases and/or decreases of a studied activity were defined and then used for the computer-aided design of new compounds as potential CETP inhibitors. The final assessment of the developed QSAR model and designed inhibitors was done using molecular docking, which revealed an excellent correlation with the results from QSAR modeling.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.

Design and development of novel therapeutics for brucellosis treatment based on carbonic anhydrase inhibition

Carbonic anhydrase is a metalloprotein, an enzyme with strong inhibition in antibacterial treatment. This study presents QSAR modeling for a series of 41 chemical compounds, 40 sulfonamides and one sulfamate, including 13 clinically tested drugs as carbonic anhydrase inhibitors based on the Monte Carlo optimization with molecular descriptors based on the SMILES notation and local invariants of the molecular graph, and field 3D based methods. Conformation independent QSAR models were developed for three random splits and a 3D QSAR model for one random split into the training and test sets. The statistical quality of the developed models, including robustness and predictability, was tested using various statistical approaches and the results that were obtained were very good. An excellent correlation between the results from the conformation independent and the 3D QSAR model was obtained. A novel statistical metric known as the index of ideality of correlation was used for the final assessment of the model, and the obtained results were good. Molecular fragments responsible for the increases and decreases of a studied activity were defined and further used for the computer-aided design of new compounds as potential carbonic anhydrase inhibitors. Molecular docking was applied for the final assessment of the developed QSAR model and designed inhibitors, and an excellent correlation between the results from QSAR modeling and molecular docking studies was obtained.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.

Development of novel therapeutics for glaucoma filtration surgery based on transforming growth factor-β receptor 1 inhibition

QSAR modeling with computer-aided drug design was used for the in silico development of novel therapeutics for glaucoma filtration surgery.

Development of non-peptide ACE inhibitors as novel and potent cardiovascular therapeutics: An in silico modelling approach

Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors have been acknowledged as first-line agents for the treatment of hypertension and a variety of cardiovascular disorders. In this context, quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) models for a series of non-peptide compounds as ACE inhibitors are developed based on Simplified Molecular Input-Line Entry System (SMILES) notation and local graph invariants. Three random splits into the training and test sets are used. The Monte Carlo method is applied for model development. Molecular docking studies are used for the final assessment of the developed QSAR model and the design of novel inhibitors. The statistical quality of the developed model is good. Molecular fragments responsible for the increase/decrease of the studied activity are calculated. The computer-aided design of new compounds, as potential ACE inhibitors, is presented. The predictive potential of the applied approach is tested, and the robustness of the model is proven using different methods. The results obtained from molecular docking studies are in excellent correlation with the results from QSAR studies. The presented study may be useful in the search for novel cardiovascular therapeutics based on ACE inhibition.

Design and development of novel antibiotics based on FtsZ inhibition – in silico studies

QSAR models, computer-aided drug design and the application of molecular docking were used to evaluate benzamide analogues as FtsZ inhibitors.

Potent anti-melanogenic activity and favorable toxicity profile of selected 4-phenyl hydroxycoumarins in the zebrafish model and the computational molecular modeling studies

7-Hydroxy-4-phenylcoumarin (7C) and 5,7-dihydroxy-4-phenylcoumarin (5,7C) have been evaluated as potential anti-melanogenic agents in the zebrafish (Danio rerio) model in comparison to commercially utilized depigmenting agents hydroquinone and kojic acid. 7C and 5,7C decreased the body pigmentation at 5 µg/mL, while did not affect the embryos development and survival at doses ≤50 µg/mL and ≤25 µg/mL. Unlike hydroquinone and kojic acid, 4-phenyl hydroxycoumarins were no melanocytotoxic, showed no cardiotoxic side effects, neither caused neutropenia in zebrafish embryos, suggesting these compounds may present novel skin-whitening agents with improved pharmacological properties. Inhibition of tyrosinase was identified as the possible mode of anti-melanogenic action. Molecular docking studies using the homology model of human tyrosinase as well as adenylate cyclase revealed excellent correlation with experimentally obtained results.

Recent developments of C-4 substituted coumarin derivatives as anticancer agents

Cancer is a prominent cause of death in global. Currently, the numbers of drugs that are in clinical practice are having a high prevalence of side effect and multidrug resistance. Researchers have made an attempt to expand a suitable anticancer drug that has no MDR and side effect. Coumarin scaffold became an attractive subject due to their broad spectrum of pharmacological activities. Coumarin derivatives extensively explored for anticancer activities as it possesses minimum side effect along with multi-drug reversal activity. Coumarin derivatives can act by various mechanisms on different tumor cell lines depending on substitution pattern of the core structure of coumarin. Substitution on coumarin nucleus leads to the search for more potent compounds. In this review, we have made an effort to give a synthetic strategy for the preparation of C-4 substituted coumarin derivatives as anticancer agents based on their mechanism of action and also discuss the SAR of the most active compound.

In vivo SAR and STR analyses of alkaloids from Picrasma quassioides identify 1-hydroxymethyl-8-hydroxy-β-carboline as a novel natural angiogenesis inhibitor

Twenty alkaloids were obtained from the anti-angiogenic fraction of Picrasma quassioides and their SAR/STR were studies by a zebrafish model. We had identified 3 as an angiogenesis inhibitor and confirmed in vitro.