Discovery of novel PARP-1 inhibitors using tandem in silico studies: integrated docking, e-pharmacophore, deep learning based de novo and molecular dynamics simulation approach

Development of new benzil-hydrazone derivatives as anticholinesterase inhibitors: synthesis, X-ray analysis, DFT study and in vitro/in silico evaluation

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a complex neurodegenerative disorder affecting the central nervous system. Current drugs for AD have limited effectiveness and often come with side effects. Consequently, there is a pressing need to develop new, safe, and more effective treatments for Alzheimer's disease. In this work, two novel benzil-hydrazone compounds, abbreviated 2-ClMHB and 2-ClBHB, were synthesized for the first time by refluxing the benzil with 2-Chloro phenyl hydrazine and they have been tested for their in vitro anti-cholinesterase activities and in silico acetyl and butyryl enzymes inhibition. The resulting products were characterized using UV-Vis and IR spectroscopy, while the single-crystal X-ray diffraction investigation was successful in establishing the structures of these compounds. DFT calculations have been successfully made to correlate the experimental data. According to biological studies, the synthesized hydrazones significantly inhibited both butyrylcholinesterase (2-ClMHB: 20.95 ± 1.29 µM and 2-ClBHB: 31.21 ± 1.50 µM) and acetylcholinesterase (2-ClMHB: 21.80 ± 1.10 µM and 2-ClBHB: 10.38 ± 1.27 µM). Moreover, molecular docking was also employed to locate the molecule with the optimum interaction and stability as well as to explain the experimental findings. The compound's dynamic nature, binding interaction, and protein-ligand stability were investigated using molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. Analyzing parameters such as RMSD and RMSF indicated that the compound remained stable throughout the 100 ns MD simulation. Finally, the drugs displayed high oral bioavailability, as per projected ADME and pharmacokinetic parameters.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.

In silico identification of colchicine derivatives as novel and potential inhibitors based on molecular docking and dynamic simulations targeting multifactorial drug targets involved in Alzheimer's disease

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most prevalent neurodegenerative disorder, characterized by a gradual and steady deterioration in cognitive function over time. At least 50 million people worldwide are considered to have AD or another form of dementia. AD is marked by a gradual decline in cognitive abilities, memory deterioration and neurodegenerative transformations within the brain. The intricate and multifaceted nature of polygenic AD presents significant challenges within the landscape of drug development. The pathophysiology of AD unfolds in a non-linear and dynamic pattern, encompassing various systems and giving rise to a multitude of factors and hypotheses that contribute to the disease's onset. These encompass theories such as the beta-amyloid hypothesis, cholinergic hypothesis, tau hypothesis, oxidative stress and more. In the realm of drug development, polypharmacological drug profiles have emerged as a strategy that can yield combined or synergistic effects, effectively mitigating undesirable side effects and significantly enhancing the therapeutic efficacy of essential medications. With this concept in mind, our in-silico study sought to delve into the binding interactions of a diverse array of colchicine derivative compounds. These derivatives are chosen for their potential anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-neurodegenerative and neuroprotective properties against Alzheimer's and other neurodegenerative diseases. We investigated compound interactions with AD-related targets, utilizing comprehensive molecular docking and dynamic simulations. COM111X showed impressive docking with acetylcholinesterase, indicating potential as an anti-Alzheimer's drug. COM112Y displayed strong docking scores with PDE4D and butyrylcholinesterase, suggesting dual inhibition for Alzheimer's treatment. Further in vitro and in vivo studies are warranted to explore these findings.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.