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Wu Z, Chen S, Wang Y, Li F, Xu H, Li M, Zeng Y, Wu Z, Gao Y. Current perspectives and trend of computer-aided drug design: a review and bibliometric analysis. Int J Surg 2024; 110:3848-3878. [PMID: 38502850 PMCID: PMC11175770 DOI: 10.1097/js9.0000000000001289] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2023] [Accepted: 02/22/2024] [Indexed: 03/21/2024]
Abstract
AIM Computer-aided drug design (CADD) is a drug design technique for computing ligand-receptor interactions and is involved in various stages of drug development. To better grasp the frontiers and hotspots of CADD, we conducted a review analysis through bibliometrics. METHODS A systematic review of studies published between 2000 and 20 July 2023 was conducted following the PRISMA guidelines. Literature on CADD was selected from the Web of Science Core Collection. General information, publications, output trends, countries/regions, institutions, journals, keywords, and influential authors were visually analyzed using software such as Excel, VOSviewer, RStudio, and CiteSpace. RESULTS A total of 2031 publications were included. These publications primarily originated from 99 countries or regions led by the U.S. and China. Among the contributors, MacKerell AD had the highest number of articles and the greatest influence. The Journal of Medicinal Chemistry was the most cited journal, whereas the Journal of Chemical Information and Modeling had the highest number of publications. CONCLUSIONS Influential authors in the field were identified. Current research shows active collaboration between countries, institutions, and companies. CADD technologies such as homology modeling, pharmacophore modeling, quantitative conformational relationships, molecular docking, molecular dynamics simulation, binding free energy prediction, and high-throughput virtual screening can effectively improve the efficiency of new drug discovery. Artificial intelligence-assisted drug design and screening based on CADD represent key topics that will influence future development. Furthermore, this paper will be helpful in better understanding the frontiers and hotspots of CADD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhenhui Wu
- School of Pharmacy, Jiangxi University of Chinese Medicine
- School of Clinical Medicine, Jiangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanchang
- Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine, Academy of Military Sciences, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Shupeng Chen
- School of Clinical Medicine, Jiangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanchang
| | - Yihao Wang
- Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine, Academy of Military Sciences, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Fangyang Li
- Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine, Academy of Military Sciences, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Huanhua Xu
- School of Pharmacy, Jiangxi University of Chinese Medicine
| | - Maoxing Li
- Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine, Academy of Military Sciences, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yingjian Zeng
- School of Clinical Medicine, Jiangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanchang
| | - Zhenfeng Wu
- School of Pharmacy, Jiangxi University of Chinese Medicine
| | - Yue Gao
- School of Pharmacy, Jiangxi University of Chinese Medicine
- Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine, Academy of Military Sciences, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
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Xu T, Li S, Li AJ, Zhao J, Sakamuru S, Huang W, Xia M, Huang R. Identification of Potent and Selective Acetylcholinesterase/Butyrylcholinesterase Inhibitors by Virtual Screening. J Chem Inf Model 2023; 63:2321-2330. [PMID: 37011147 PMCID: PMC10688023 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jcim.3c00230] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/05/2023]
Abstract
Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) play important roles in human neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's disease. In this study, machine learning methods were applied to develop quantitative structure-activity relationship models for the prediction of novel AChE and BChE inhibitors based on data from quantitative high-throughput screening assays. The models were used to virtually screen an in-house collection of ∼360K compounds. The optimal models achieved good performance with area under the receiver operating characteristic curve values ranging from 0.83 ± 0.03 to 0.87 ± 0.01 for the prediction of AChE/BChE inhibition activity and selectivity. Experimental validation showed that the best-performing models increased the assay hit rate by several folds. We identified 88 novel AChE and 126 novel BChE inhibitors, 25% (AChE) and 53% (BChE) of which showed potent inhibitory effects (IC50 < 5 μM). In addition, structure-activity relationship analysis of the BChE inhibitors revealed scaffolds for chemistry design and optimization. In conclusion, machine learning models were shown to efficiently identify potent and selective inhibitors against AChE and BChE and novel structural series for further design and development of potential therapeutics against neurodegenerative disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tuan Xu
- Division of Pre-clinical Innovation, National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Rockville, Maryland 20850, United States
| | - Shuaizhang Li
- Division of Pre-clinical Innovation, National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Rockville, Maryland 20850, United States
| | - Andrew J. Li
- Division of Pre-clinical Innovation, National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Rockville, Maryland 20850, United States
| | - Jinghua Zhao
- Division of Pre-clinical Innovation, National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Rockville, Maryland 20850, United States
| | - Srilatha Sakamuru
- Division of Pre-clinical Innovation, National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Rockville, Maryland 20850, United States
| | - Wenwei Huang
- Division of Pre-clinical Innovation, National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Rockville, Maryland 20850, United States
| | - Menghang Xia
- Division of Pre-clinical Innovation, National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Rockville, Maryland 20850, United States
| | - Ruili Huang
- Division of Pre-clinical Innovation, National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Rockville, Maryland 20850, United States
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De Boer D, Nguyen N, Mao J, Moore J, Sorin EJ. A Comprehensive Review of Cholinesterase Modeling and Simulation. Biomolecules 2021; 11:580. [PMID: 33920972 PMCID: PMC8071298 DOI: 10.3390/biom11040580] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2021] [Revised: 04/08/2021] [Accepted: 04/11/2021] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
The present article reviews published efforts to study acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase structure and function using computer-based modeling and simulation techniques. Structures and models of both enzymes from various organisms, including rays, mice, and humans, are discussed to highlight key structural similarities in the active site gorges of the two enzymes, such as flexibility, binding site location, and function, as well as differences, such as gorge volume and binding site residue composition. Catalytic studies are also described, with an emphasis on the mechanism of acetylcholine hydrolysis by each enzyme and novel mutants that increase catalytic efficiency. The inhibitory activities of myriad compounds have been computationally assessed, primarily through Monte Carlo-based docking calculations and molecular dynamics simulations. Pharmaceutical compounds examined herein include FDA-approved therapeutics and their derivatives, as well as several other prescription drug derivatives. Cholinesterase interactions with both narcotics and organophosphate compounds are discussed, with the latter focusing primarily on molecular recognition studies of potential therapeutic value and on improving our understanding of the reactivation of cholinesterases that are bound to toxins. This review also explores the inhibitory properties of several other organic and biological moieties, as well as advancements in virtual screening methodologies with respect to these enzymes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danna De Boer
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, California State University, Long Beach, CA 90840, USA;
| | - Nguyet Nguyen
- Department of Chemical Engineering, California State University, Long Beach, CA 90840, USA; (N.N.); (J.M.)
| | - Jia Mao
- Department of Chemical Engineering, California State University, Long Beach, CA 90840, USA; (N.N.); (J.M.)
| | - Jessica Moore
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, California State University, Long Beach, CA 90840, USA;
| | - Eric J. Sorin
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, California State University, Long Beach, CA 90840, USA;
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4
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Design, synthesis and evaluation of cholinesterase hybrid inhibitors using a natural steroidal alkaloid as precursor. Bioorg Chem 2021; 111:104893. [PMID: 33882364 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2021.104893] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2020] [Revised: 04/01/2021] [Accepted: 04/03/2021] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
To date, Alzheimer's disease is the most alarming neurodegenerative disorder worldwide. This illness is multifactorial in nature and cholinesterase inhibitors have been the ones used in clinical treatments. In this context, many of these drugs selectively inhibit the acetylcholinesterase enzyme interacting in both the active site and the peripheric anionic site. Besides, some agents have exhibited extensive benefits being able to co-inhibit butyrylcholinesterase. In this contribution, a strategy previously explored by numerous authors is reported; the synthesis of hybrid cholinesterase inhibitors. This strategy uses a molecule of recognized high inhibitory activity (tacrine) together with a steroidal alkaloid of natural origin using different connectors. The biological assays demonstrated the improvement in the inhibitory activity compared to the alkaloidal precursor, together with the reinforcement of the interactions in multiple sites of the enzymatic cavity. This strategy should be explored and exploited in this area. Docking and molecular dynamic studies were performed to explain enzyme-ligand interactions, assisting a structure-activity relationship analysis.
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5
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Discovery, biological evaluation and molecular dynamic simulations of butyrylcholinesterase inhibitors through structure-based pharmacophore virtual screening. Future Med Chem 2021; 13:769-784. [PMID: 33759552 DOI: 10.4155/fmc-2020-0325] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Aim: Butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) is a crucial therapeutic target because it is associated with multiple pathological elements of Alzheimer's disease (AD). An integrated computational strategy was employed to exploit effective BChE inhibitors. Methods & results: Ten compounds derived from the Enamine database by structure-based pharmacophore virtual screening were further evaluated for biological activity; out of the ten, only five had an IC50 of less than 100 μM. Among these five compounds, a new molecule, 970180, presented the most potency against BChE, with an IC50 of 4.24 ± 0.16 μM, and acted as a mixed-type inhibitor. Molecular dynamic simulations and absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion prediction further confirmed its high potential as a good candidate of BChE inhibitor. Furthermore, cytotoxicity of molecule 970180 was not observed at concentrations up to 50 μM, and the molecule also showed a prominent neuroprotective effect compared with tacrine at 25 and 50 μM. Conclusion: This study provides an effective structure-based pharmacophore virtual screening method to discover BChE inhibitors and provide new choices for the development of BChE inhibitors, which may be beneficial for AD patients.
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Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a significant health crisis, and current treatments provide only limited benefits to cognition at the cost of serious side effects. Recently, virtual screening techniques such as ligand-based virtual screening (LBVS) and structure-based virtual screening (SBVS) have emerged as powerful drug discovery tools for identifying potential ligands of a biological target from a large database of chemical structures. The cholinesterases are an AD target particularly well suited for drug discovery using virtual screening due to their well-characterized active sites and comprehensive understanding of the structure-activity relationships of existing inhibitors. Over the last 5 years (2015-2020), at least 15 studies have used virtual screening techniques to discover potent new cholinesterase inhibitors. Herein we review how LBVS and SBVS have been applied individually or in tandem to discover novel acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase inhibitors for AD, and highlight the need to confirm in vitro activity of screening compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jared A. Miles
- School of Pharmacy, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Benjamin P. Ross
- School of Pharmacy, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
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7
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Xing S, Li Q, Xiong B, Chen Y, Feng F, Liu W, Sun H. Structure and therapeutic uses of butyrylcholinesterase: Application in detoxification, Alzheimer's disease, and fat metabolism. Med Res Rev 2020; 41:858-901. [PMID: 33103262 DOI: 10.1002/med.21745] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2020] [Revised: 09/21/2020] [Accepted: 10/12/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Structural information of butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) and its variants associated with several diseases are discussed here. Pure human BChE has been proved safe and effective in treating organophosphorus (OPs) poisoning and has completed Phase 1 and 2 pharmacokinetic (PK) and safety studies. The introduction of specific mutations into native BChE to endow it a self-reactivating property has gained much progress in producing effective OPs hydrolases. The hydrolysis ability of native BChE on cocaine has been confirmed but was blocked to clinical application due to poor PK properties. Several BChE mutants with elevated cocaine hydrolysis activity were published, some of which have shown safety and efficiency in treating cocaine addiction of human. The increased level of BChE in progressed Alzheimer's disease patients made it a promising target to elevate acetylcholine level and attenuate cognitive status. A variety of selective BChE inhibitors with high inhibitory activity published in recent years are reviewed here. BChE could influence the weight and insulin secretion and resistance of BChE knockout (KO) mice through hydrolyzing ghrelin. The BChE-ghrelin pathway could also regulate aggressive behaviors of BChE-KO mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuaishuai Xing
- School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Qi Li
- School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Baichen Xiong
- School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yao Chen
- School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Feng Feng
- Department of Natural Medicinal Chemistry, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China.,Institute of Food and Pharmaceuticals Research, Jiangsu Food and Pharmaceuticals Science College, Nanjing, China
| | - Wenyuan Liu
- School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Haopeng Sun
- School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
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A Bioorthogonally Synthesized and Disulfide-Containing Fluorescence Turn-On Chemical Probe for Measurements of Butyrylcholinesterase Activity and Inhibition in the Presence of Physiological Glutathione. Catalysts 2020. [DOI: 10.3390/catal10101169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) is a biomarker in human blood. Aberrant BChE activity has been associated with human diseases. Here we developed a fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) chemical probe to specifically quantify BChE activity in serum, while simultaneously discriminating against glutathione (GSH). The FRET chemical probe 11 was synthesized from a key trifunctional bicyclononyne exo-6 and derivatives of 5-(2-aminoethylamino)-1-naphthalenesulfonic acid (EDANS) and 4-[4-(dimethylamino)phenylazo]benzoic acid (DABCYL). EDANS fluorescence visualization and kinetic analysis of 11 in the presence of diverse compounds confirmed the outstanding reactivity and specificity of 11 with thiols. The thiol-dependent fluorescence turn-on property of 11 was attributed to a general base-catalyzed SN2 nucleophilic substitution mechanism and independent of metal ions. Moreover, all thiols, except GSH, reacted swiftly with 11. Kinetic studies of 11 in the presence of covalently modified GSH derivatives corroborated that the steric hindrance of 11 imposing on GSH was the likely cause of the distinguished reactivity. Since GSH commonly interferes in assays measuring BChE activity in blood samples, the 11-based fluorescent assay was employed to directly quantify BChE activity without GSH interference, and delivered a linear range of 4.3–182.2 U L−1 for BChE activity with detection limit of 4.3 U L−1, and accurately quantified serum BChE activity in the presence of 10 μM GSH. Finally, the 11-based assay was exploited to determine Ki of 5 nM for tacrine inhibition on BChE catalysis. We are harnessing the modulated characteristics of 6 to synthesize advanced chemical probes able to more sensitively screen for BChE inhibitors and quantify BChE activity in serum.
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Mascarenhas AMS, de Almeida RBM, de Araujo Neto MF, Mendes GO, da Cruz JN, dos Santos CBR, Botura MB, Leite FHA. Pharmacophore-based virtual screening and molecular docking to identify promising dual inhibitors of human acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase. J Biomol Struct Dyn 2020; 39:6021-6030. [DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2020.1796791] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Ana Mércia Silva Mascarenhas
- Laboratório de Modelagem Molecular, Departamento de Saúde, Universidade Estadual de Feira de Santana, Bahia, Brasil
| | | | | | - Géssica Oliveira Mendes
- Laboratório de Modelagem Molecular, Departamento de Saúde, Universidade Estadual de Feira de Santana, Bahia, Brasil
| | - Jorddy Neves da Cruz
- Laboratório de Modelagem e Química Computacional, Departamento de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Amapá, Macapá, Brasil
| | - Cleydson Breno Rodrigues dos Santos
- Laboratório de Modelagem e Química Computacional, Departamento de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Amapá, Macapá, Brasil
| | - Mariana Borges Botura
- Laboratório de Toxicologia, Departamento de Saúde, Universidade Estadual de Feira de Santana, Bahia, Brasil
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10
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Zhou Y, Hu Y, Lu X, Yang H, Li Q, Du C, Chen Y, Hong KH, Sun H. Discovery of a Selective 6-Hydroxy-1, 4-Diazepan-2-one Containing Butyrylcholinesterase Inhibitor by Virtual Screening and MM-GBSA Rescoring. Dose Response 2020; 18:1559325820938526. [PMID: 32636723 PMCID: PMC7324897 DOI: 10.1177/1559325820938526] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2020] [Revised: 05/22/2020] [Accepted: 05/27/2020] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia characterized by the loss of cognitive abilities through the death of central neuronal cells. In this study, structure-based virtual screens of 2 central nervous system-targeted libraries followed by molecular mechanics/generalized born surface area rescoring were performed to discover novel, selective butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) inhibitors, which are one of the most effective therapeutic strategies for the treatments in late-stage AD. Satisfyingly, compound 5 was identified as a highly selective low micromolar inhibitor of BChE (BChE IC50 = 1.4 μM). The binding mode prediction and kinetic analysis were performed to obtain detailed information about compound 5. Besides, a preliminary structure–activity relationship investigation of compound 5 was carried out for further development of the series. The present results provided a valuable chemical template with a novel scaffold for the development of selective BChE inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- You Zhou
- College of Biotechnology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Yanyu Hu
- School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xin Lu
- School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Hongyu Yang
- School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Qihang Li
- School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Chenxi Du
- School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yao Chen
- School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Kwon Ho Hong
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Haopeng Sun
- School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
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Wei H, Zhang T, Zhan CG, Zheng F. Cebranopadol reduces cocaine self-administration in male rats: Dose, treatment and safety consideration. Neuropharmacology 2020; 172:108128. [PMID: 32389751 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2020.108128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2020] [Revised: 04/25/2020] [Accepted: 05/02/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
As a novel first-in-class potent analgesic acting as an agonist of multiple opioid receptors, cebranopadol showed high efficacy and good tolerability in a broad range of preclinical models and clinical trials related to pain. In the present study, to evaluate the efficacy and safety of cebranopadol as a potential treatment of cocaine dependence, we tested the effects of cebranopadol with single and repeated doses (25, 50, 75, or 100 μg/kg, oral gavage) using rat models of cocaine fixed-ratio (FR) self-administration (SA), cocaine progressive-ratio (PR) SA, and sucrose pellet SA. In single-dosing treatment paradigm, cebranopadol significantly and dose-dependently reduced cocaine SA under FR and PR schedules and suppressed food intake under FR schedule without causing apparent side effects. In repeated-dosing treatment scheme, i.e. daily administration of 25, 50, 75, or 100 μg/kg cebranopadol for a week, the similar reduction in cocaine intake was detected, while non-negligible complications/side effects were observed at repeated high doses (75 and 100 μg/kg). The observed side effects were similar to the common toxic signs elicited by heroin at high doses, although cebranopadol did not fully substitute heroin's discriminative stimulant effects in our drug discriminative tests. These results demonstrated that the most appropriate oral dose of cebranopadol to balance the efficacy and safety is 50 μg/kg. Collectively, although cebranopadol may serve as a new treatment for cocaine dependence, more consideration, cautiousness, and a clear optimal dose window to dissociate its therapeutic effects from opioid side effects/complications in male and female subjects will be necessary to increase its practical clinical utility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huimei Wei
- Molecular Modeling and Biopharmaceutical Center, College of Pharmacy, University of Kentucky, 789 South Limestone Street, Lexington, KY, 40536, USA; Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Kentucky, 789 South Limestone Street, Lexington, KY, 40536, USA
| | - Ting Zhang
- Molecular Modeling and Biopharmaceutical Center, College of Pharmacy, University of Kentucky, 789 South Limestone Street, Lexington, KY, 40536, USA; Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Kentucky, 789 South Limestone Street, Lexington, KY, 40536, USA
| | - Chang-Guo Zhan
- Molecular Modeling and Biopharmaceutical Center, College of Pharmacy, University of Kentucky, 789 South Limestone Street, Lexington, KY, 40536, USA; Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Kentucky, 789 South Limestone Street, Lexington, KY, 40536, USA.
| | - Fang Zheng
- Molecular Modeling and Biopharmaceutical Center, College of Pharmacy, University of Kentucky, 789 South Limestone Street, Lexington, KY, 40536, USA; Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Kentucky, 789 South Limestone Street, Lexington, KY, 40536, USA.
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12
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Williams A, Zhou S, Zhan CG. Discovery of potent and selective butyrylcholinesterase inhibitors through the use of pharmacophore-based screening. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2019; 29:126754. [PMID: 31708262 PMCID: PMC6953623 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2019.126754] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2019] [Revised: 10/09/2019] [Accepted: 10/11/2019] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Cholinesterase inhibitors have long been used in the treatment of Alzheimer's Disease (AD) via the protection of acetylcholine levels. However, recent research has shown that the specific inhibition of butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) could better ameliorate symptoms within patients. In addition, it has recently been shown that selective inhibition of BChE can also significantly attenuate the toxicity and physiological effects of heroin. Currently, there are no specific and potent inhibitors of BChE approved for use in AD or heroin abuse. Through a combined use of in silico and in vitro screening, we have found three compounds with sub-50 nM IC50 values that specifically target BChE. These newly discovered BChE inhibitors can act as the lead scaffolds for future development of the desirably potent and selective BChE inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Williams
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Kentucky, 789 S. Limestone, Lexington, KY 40536, United States
| | - Shuo Zhou
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Kentucky, 789 S. Limestone, Lexington, KY 40536, United States
| | - Chang-Guo Zhan
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Kentucky, 789 S. Limestone, Lexington, KY 40536, United States.
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