Atom based 3D-QSAR studies on 2,4-dioxopyrimidine-1-carboxamide analogs: Validation of experimental inhibitory potencies towards acid ceramidase

Versatile use of Carmofur: A comprehensive review of its chemistry and pharmacology

Carmofur, 1-hexylcarbamoyl-5-fluorouracil (HCFU) is an antineoplastic drug, which has been in clinics in Japan since 1981 for the treatment of colorectal cancer. Subsequently, it was also introduced in China, Korea, and Finland. Besides colorectal cancer, it has also shown antitumor activity in other cancers such as breast, head and neck, pancreatic, gastrointestinal, and solid brain tumors. A prodrug of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), carmofur has shown better gastrointestinal stability and superior antiproliferative activity compared to its active counterpart 5-FU. Recently, carmofur has gained attention as an acid ceramidase inhibitor and as a potential lead compound against several noncancerous diseases such as coronavirus disease 2019, Krabbe disease, acute lung injury, Parkinson's disease, dementia, childhood ependymoma etc. Carmofur has also been reported to have antifungal, and antimicrobial properties. Nevertheless, no comprehensive review is available on this drug. Herein, we summarized the chemistry, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacology of carmofur based on the literature published between January 1976 and March 2022 as identified from PubMed and Google Scholar search engines.

Gaining deeper insights into the surface binding of bedaquiline analogues with the ATP synthase subunit C of Mycobacterium tuberculosis using molecular docking, molecular dynamics simulation and 3D-QSAR techniques

This computational study exclusively illustrates the key molecular features of bedaquiline and its analogues required for binding to mycobacterial ATP synthase.

Investigation of Drug Interaction Potentials and Binding Modes on Direct Renin Inhibitors: A Computational Modeling Studies

Background:

Hypertension is one of the key risk factors for cardiovascular disease, it is regulated through Renin Angiotensin Aldosterone System (RAAS) cascade. Renin catalyzes the initial rate-limiting step in RAAS system, that influences the synthesis of angiotensin I from precursor angiotensin. Renin inhibition could be a potential step for the blood pressure lowering mechanism as well as for organ protection.

Methods:

In order to understand the structure-activity association of direct renin inhibitors (DRIs), we have carried out three-dimensional quantitative structure activity relationship (3D-QSAR), molecular docking studies and Density Functional Theory (DFT) analysis to identify the attractive compounds. Five-point pharmacophore model of one acceptor, three hydrophobic groups and one aromatic ring was chosen for the dataset of 40 compounds.

Results:

The generated 3D-QSAR model shows that the alignment has a good correlation coefficient for the training set compounds, which comprise the value of R2 = 0.96, SD = 0.1, and F = 131.3. The test compounds had Q2 = 0.91, RMSE = 0.25, and Pearson-R = 0.97, which describes the predicted model was reliable.

Discussion:

External validations were carried out to validate the predicted QSAR model. Further, the significant compounds were studied using different in silico approaches in order to explore the difference in the atomic configuration and binding mechanism of the identified compounds.

Conclusion:

The molecular dynamics simulation of the complex was analyzed and confirmed the stability of the compounds in the protein. The outcome of the result could be useful to improve the safety and efficacy of DRIs that can be projected to clinical trials.