Arylidene analogues as selective COX-2 inhibitors: synthesis, characterization, in silico and in vitro studies

1-D MOF [Ag2(C10H10N3O3S)2(C4H8N)2]n: photocatalytic treatment, crystallographic evaluation, ADMET parameters, CT-DNA and anticancer activity

Newly synthesized dinuclear crystalline polymer, the silver complex of bidentate Sulfamethoxazole (Ag-SMX) in the presence of secondary ligand pyrrolidine has been characterized by elemental, spectral (1H-NMR spectra, FT-IR spectra, UV-Vis spectra.), powder XRD, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction (single-crystal) analysis. The synthesis molecular structure of the dinuclear [Ag2(C10H10N3O3S)2(C4H8N)2]n complex reveals a one-dimensional polymeric chain with seesaw geometry (τ4 = 0.71): two silvers interlink each other by argentophilic interaction with Ag1…Ag2 separation distance of 3.0047(6) Å. The Hirshfeld surfaces (HS) and 2D fingerprint plots were used to examine the interconnects in the crystal packing. Molecule properties including MEP, MPA, HOMO-LUMO energy, and global reactivity descriptor parameters were computed to understand the molecule's stability. From ADMET parameters, human Intestinal Absorbance data revealed that the compound has the potential to be well absorbed, and also Ag-smx complex cannot cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB). The capacity of the silver complex to interact with CtDNA was investigated using absorption spectroscopy and viscosity tests. The interaction between CT-DNA reveals that the Ag-SMX complex exhibits the strongest binding affinity among all known sulfonamide derivatives and their metal complexes. The silver complex has higher inhibitory action than the free SMX ligand, according to data from a panel of gram (+ve) and gram (-ve) organisms' minimum inhibitory concentrations. In vitro cytotoxicity investigation revealed that the IC50 value for Ag-SMX is 57.12 g/mL and for SMX is 100.90 g/mL against human lung cancer cell line (A549). This study revealed that, when compared to SMX free-ligand, Ag-SMX is the most effective in terms of cytotoxicity toward the human lung cancer cell line (A549 cell line). In under 120 min, the synthesized Ag-smx complex showed exceptional photo-degradation characteristics against methylene blue (MB) (10 ppm) in visible light radiation.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.

Isolation, identification, and characterization of α- asarone, from hydromethanolic leaf extract of Acorus calamus L. and its apoptosis-inducing mechanism in A549 cells

Due to the presence of several active secondary metabolites, the traditional Indian and Chinese medicinal herb Acorus calamus L. has been utilized for both medical and culinary purposes since ancient times. A recent report has underscored the promising cytotoxic effect of A. calamus leaves extract against non-small cell lung cancer A549 cells. Thus, we want to separate the bioactive substance from the hydromethanolic extract of A. calamus leaves in the current investigation. Thin-layer chromatography was used to separate the compounds and different spectroscopic methods (UV, FTIR, NMR, and LCMS/MS) were used for the structure prediction. α-asarone was found to be the main bioactive compound present and it was isolated from A. calamus leaves extract. It exerted a good cytotoxic effect with an IC50 value of 21.43 ± 1.27 μM against A549 cells and IC50 value of 324.12 ± 1.32 μM against WI-38 cells. The induction of apoptosis in A549 cells by α-asarone was reaffirmed by the diverse differential staining methods including DAPI, Acridine Orange/Ethidium Bromide, and Giemsa staining. Additionally, α-asarone induced mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm) dissipation with a concomitant increase in the production of ROS. Furthermore, it also increased expressions of caspase-3, caspase-9, caspase-8, DR4, and DR5 genes in A549 cells. In conclusion, α-asarone-induced apoptotic cell death in non-small lung cancer cells (A549) as a result of loss of mitochondrial function, increased ROS production, subsequent activation of an internal and extrinsic caspase pathway, and altered expression of genes controlling apoptosis. As a whole, α-asarone is a plausible therapeutic agent for managing lung cancer. HIGHLIGHTSIsolation of bioactive compound from hydromethanolic leaves extract of Acorus calamus L. by thin layer chromatography.Structural elucidation of the bioactive compound was carried out using different methods like UV analysis, FTIR, NMR, and LC-MS/MS analysis.A plausible mode of action revealed that α-asarone can induce apoptosis in lung cancer cells (A549).Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.

New insights into the anti-inflammatory and anti-melanoma mechanisms of action of azelaic acid and other Fusarium solani metabolites via in vitro and in silico studies

Metabolites exploration of the ethyl acetate extract of Fusarium solani culture broth that was isolated from Euphorbia tirucalli root afforded five compounds; 4-hydroxybenzaldehyde (1), 4-hydroxybenzoic acid (2), tyrosol (3), azelaic acid (4), malic acid (5), and fusaric acid (6). Fungal extract as well as its metabolites were evaluated for their anti-inflammatory and anti-hyperpigmentation potential via in vitro cyclooxygenases and tyrosinase inhibition assays, respectively. Azelaic acid (4) exhibited powerful and selective COX-2 inhibition followed by fusaric acid (6) with IC50 values (2.21 ± 0.06 and 4.81 ± 0.14 μM, respectively). As well, azelaic acid (4) had the most impressive tyrosinase inhibitory effect with IC50 value of 8.75 ± 0.18 μM compared to kojic acid (IC50 = 9.27 ± 0.19 μM). Exclusive computational studies of azelaic acid and fusaric acid with COX-2 were in good accord with the in vitro results. Interestingly, this is the first time to investigate and report the potential of compounds 3-6 to inhibit cyclooxygenase enzymes. One of the most invasive forms of skin cancer is melanoma, a molecular docking study using a set of enzymes related to melanoma suggested pirin to be therapeutic target for azelaic acid and fusaric acid as a plausible mechanism for their anti-melanoma activity.

Visible light-driven photocatalysts, quantum chemical calculations, ADMET-SAR parameters, and DNA binding studies of nickel complex of sulfadiazine

A 3D-supramolecular nickel integrated Ni-SDZ complex was synthesized using sodium salt of sulfadiazine as the ligand and nickel(II) acetate as the metal salt using a condensation process and slow evaporation approach to growing the single crystal. The metal complex was characterized for its composition, functional groups, surface morphology as well as complex 3D structure, by resorting to various analytical techniques. The interacting surface and stability as well as reactivity of the complex were carried out using the DFT platform. From ADMET parameters, human Intestinal Absorbance data revealed that the compound has the potential to be well absorbed, and also Ni-SDZ complex cannot cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB). Additionally, the complex's DNA binding affinity and in-vivo and in-vitro cytotoxic studies were explored utilizing UV-Vis absorbance titration, viscosity measurements, and S. pombe cells and brine shrimp lethality tests. In visible light radiation, the Ni-SDZ complex displayed exceptional photo-degradation characteristics of approximately 70.19% within 70 min against methylene blue (MB).

Synthesis, Spectral Characterization, Thermal Investigation, Computational Studies, Molecular Docking, and In Vitro Biological Activities of a New Schiff Base Derived from 2-Chloro Benzaldehyde and 3,3'-Dimethyl-[1,1'-biphenyl]-4,4'-diamine

The current research involves the synthesis of a new Schiff base through the reaction between 2-chlorobenzaldehyde and 3,3'-dimethyl-[1,1'-biphenyl]-4,4'-diamine by using a natural acid catalyst and a synthesized compound physicochemically characterized by X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, 1H- and 13C-nuclear magnetic resonance, and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. Thermal studies were conducted using thermogravimetric, differential thermal analysis, and differential thermogravimetric curves. These curves were obtained in an inert nitrogen environment from ambient temperature to 1263 K using heating rates of 10, 15, and 20 K·min-1. Using thermocurve data, model-free isoconversional techniques such as Kissinger-Akahira-Sunose, Flynn-Wall-Ozawa, and Friedman are used to determine kinetic parameters. These parameters include activation energy, phonon frequency factor, activation enthalpy, activation entropy, and Gibb's free energy change. All of the results have been thoroughly investigated. The molecule's anti-inflammatory and antidiabetic properties were also examined. To learn more about the potential of the Schiff base and how successfully it can suppress the amylase enzyme, a molecular docking experiment was also conducted. For in silico research, the Swiss Absorption, Distribution, Metabolism, Excretion, and Toxicity algorithms were used to calculate the theoretical pharmacokinetic properties, oral bioavailability, toxic effects, and biological activities of the synthesized molecule. Moreover, the cytotoxicity tests against a human lung cancer cell line (A549) using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay demonstrated that the synthesized Schiff base exhibited significant anticancer properties.

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs: recent advances in the use of synthetic COX-2 inhibitors

Cyclooxygenase (COX) enzymes comprise COX-1 and COX-2 isoforms and are responsible for prostaglandin production. Prostaglandins have critical roles in the inflammation pathway and must be controlled by administration of selective nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Selective COX-2 inhibitors have been among the most used NSAIDs during the ongoing coronavirus 2019 pandemic because they reduce pain and protect against inflammation-related diseases. In this framework, the mechanism of action of both COX isoforms (particularly COX-2) as inflammation mediators must be reviewed. Moreover, proinflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin (IL)-6, IL-1β, and IL-8 must be highlighted due to their major participation in upregulation of the inflammatory reaction. Structural and functional analyses of selective COX-2 inhibitors within the active-site cavity of COXs could enable introduction of lead structures with higher selectivity and potency against inflammation with fewer adverse effects. This review focuses on the biological activity of recently discovered synthetic COX-2, dual COX-2/lipoxygenase, and COX-2/soluble epoxide hydrolase hybrid inhibitors based primarily on the active motifs of related US Food and Drug Administration-approved drugs. These new agents could provide several advantages with regard to anti-inflammatory activity, gastrointestinal protection, and a safer profile compared with those of the NSAIDs celecoxib, valdecoxib, and rofecoxib.

Magical bullets from an indigenous Indian medicinal plant Tinospora cordifolia: An in silico approach for the antidote of SARS-CoV-2☆

World Health Organization declared COVID-19 as a global pandemic. Till now, a diverse array of drugs failed to combat. There is an immense need of novel lead molecules on a urgent basis. Medicinal plants are the reservoir of secondary metabolites. In silico approach has been carried out to dock the ligands (various secondary metabolites from Tinospora cordifolia) to the target (SARS-CoV-2 main protease) and compared its efficacy against standard drugs (Azithromycin, Chloroquine, Hydroxychloroquine, Favipiravir, Remdesivir). In silico molecular docking approach provides insight into the screened molecules that might prove to be an effective inhibitor for SARS-CoV-2. Out of five standard drug molecules, two widely used antiviral drugs (Favipiravir and Remdesivir) are ascribed as the most potent molecules based on their highest docking score in the present study. Columbin, Tinosporide, N-trans-feruloyl-tyramine-diacetate, Amritoside C, Amritoside B, Amritoside A, Tinocordifolin, Palmatoside G, Palmatoside F, and Maslinic acids are other molecules considered to be the key molecules based on their docking score (range between -5.02 to −5.72).