1
|
Gonçalves PB, Sodero ACR, Cordeiro Y. Natural products targeting amyloid-β oligomer neurotoxicity in Alzheimer's disease. Eur J Med Chem 2024; 276:116684. [PMID: 39032401 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2024.116684] [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: 06/06/2024] [Revised: 07/07/2024] [Accepted: 07/12/2024] [Indexed: 07/23/2024]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) constitutes a major global health issue, characterized by progressive neurodegeneration and cognitive impairment, for which no curative treatment is currently available. Current therapeutic approaches are focused on symptom management, highlighting the critical need for disease-modifying therapy. The hallmark pathology of AD involves the aggregation and accumulation of amyloid-β (Aβ) peptides in the brain. Consequently, drug discovery efforts in recent decades have centered on the Aβ aggregation cascade, which includes the transition of monomeric Aβ peptides into toxic oligomers and, ultimately, mature fibrils. Historically, anti-Aβ strategies focused on the clearance of amyloid fibrils using monoclonal antibodies. However, substantial evidence has highlighted the critical role of Aβ oligomers (AβOs) in AD pathogenesis. Soluble AβOs are now recognized as more toxic than fibrils, directly contributing to synaptic impairment, neuronal damage, and the onset of AD. Targeting AβOs has emerged as a promising therapeutic approach to mitigate cognitive decline in AD. Natural products (NPs) have demonstrated promise against AβO neurotoxicity through various mechanisms, including preventing AβO formation, enhancing clearance mechanisms, or converting AβOs into non-toxic species. Understanding the mechanisms by which anti-AβO NPs operate is useful for developing disease-modifying treatments for AD. In this review, we explore the role of NPs in mitigating AβO neurotoxicity for AD drug discovery, summarizing key evidence from biophysical methods, cellular assays, and animal models. By discussing how NPs modulate AβO neurotoxicity across various experimental systems, we aim to provide valuable insights into novel therapeutic strategies targeting AβOs in AD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Yraima Cordeiro
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, 21949-900, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Kruger L, Ngan DK, Xu T, Zhang L, Xia M, Simeonov A, Huang R. Evaluating the Utility of the MSTI Assay in Predicting Compound Promiscuity and Cytotoxicity. Chem Res Toxicol 2024. [PMID: 39255953 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrestox.4c00243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/12/2024]
Abstract
Nonspecific reactive chemicals often interfere with the interpretation of high-throughput assay results because of their promiscuity and/or cytotoxicity. Using a high-throughput assay to identify such compounds is necessary to efficiently rule out potential assay artifacts. The MSTI, (E)-2-(4-mercaptostyryl)-1,3,3-trimethyl-3H-indol-1-ium, assay uses a thiol-containing fluorescent probe to screen for electrophile reactivity and could potentially be used to determine nonspecific reactive compounds. The Tox21 10K compound library was previously screened against a panel of ∼80 cell-based and biochemical assays, including the biochemical MSTI assay. In this study, we compared the MSTI assay activity of the Tox21 10K compounds with their promiscuity and cytotoxicity as reflected by their activities across the Tox21 assay panel to determine: (1) if this assay is predictive of a compound's promiscuity and cytotoxicity and (2) what chemical features create inconsistent results between the MSTI assay activity and promiscuity/cytotoxicity (false negatives and false positives). We found that the MSTI assay can predict a chemical's promiscuity/cytotoxicity with a 0.55 sensitivity and 0.97 specificity. Out of 3,407 unique compounds evaluated, we identified 92 false positive and 227 false negative results. Several structural features such as carboxamides and alkyl halides were found to be apparent in 53% (p = 2.4 × 10-07) and 19% (p = 4.3 × 10-06) of the false positives and negatives, respectively. The results of this analysis will help identify the potential challenges of this high-throughput assay and allow researchers to identify if a compound will be cytotoxic or promiscuous in an efficient manner.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Laken Kruger
- Division of Pre-clinical Innovation, National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, Maryland 20850, United States
| | - Deborah K Ngan
- Division of Pre-clinical Innovation, National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, Maryland 20850, United States
| | - Tuan Xu
- Division of Pre-clinical Innovation, National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, Maryland 20850, United States
| | - Li Zhang
- Division of Pre-clinical Innovation, National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, Maryland 20850, United States
| | - Menghang Xia
- Division of Pre-clinical Innovation, National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, Maryland 20850, United States
| | - Anton Simeonov
- Division of Pre-clinical Innovation, National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, Maryland 20850, United States
| | - Ruili Huang
- Division of Pre-clinical Innovation, National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, Maryland 20850, United States
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Tan L, Hirte S, Palmacci V, Stork C, Kirchmair J. Tackling assay interference associated with small molecules. Nat Rev Chem 2024; 8:319-339. [PMID: 38622244 DOI: 10.1038/s41570-024-00593-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/29/2024] [Indexed: 04/17/2024]
Abstract
Biochemical and cell-based assays are essential to discovering and optimizing efficacious and safe drugs, agrochemicals and cosmetics. However, false assay readouts stemming from colloidal aggregation, chemical reactivity, chelation, light signal attenuation and emission, membrane disruption, and other interference mechanisms remain a considerable challenge in screening synthetic compounds and natural products. To address assay interference, a range of powerful experimental approaches are available and in silico methods are now gaining traction. This Review begins with an overview of the scope and limitations of experimental approaches for tackling assay interference. It then focuses on theoretical methods, discusses strategies for their integration with experimental approaches, and provides recommendations for best practices. The Review closes with a summary of the critical facts and an outlook on potential future developments.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lu Tan
- Drug Discovery Sciences, Boehringer Ingelheim RCV GmbH & Co KG, Vienna, Austria
| | - Steffen Hirte
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Division of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Vienna Doctoral School of Pharmaceutical, Nutritional and Sport Sciences (PhaNuSpo), University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Vincenzo Palmacci
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Division of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Vienna Doctoral School of Pharmaceutical, Nutritional and Sport Sciences (PhaNuSpo), University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Conrad Stork
- Department of Informatics, Center for Bioinformatics, Faculty of Mathematics, Informatics and Natural Sciences, Universität Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
- BASF SE, Ludwigshafen am Rhein, Germany
| | - Johannes Kirchmair
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Division of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
- Christian Doppler Laboratory for Molecular Informatics in the Biosciences, Department for Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Olmedo DA, Durant-Archibold AA, López-Pérez JL, Medina-Franco JL. Design and Diversity Analysis of Chemical Libraries in Drug Discovery. Comb Chem High Throughput Screen 2024; 27:502-515. [PMID: 37409545 DOI: 10.2174/1386207326666230705150110] [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: 04/05/2023] [Revised: 05/30/2023] [Accepted: 05/30/2023] [Indexed: 07/07/2023]
Abstract
Chemical libraries and compound data sets are among the main inputs to start the drug discovery process at universities, research institutes, and the pharmaceutical industry. The approach used in the design of compound libraries, the chemical information they possess, and the representation of structures, play a fundamental role in the development of studies: chemoinformatics, food informatics, in silico pharmacokinetics, computational toxicology, bioinformatics, and molecular modeling to generate computational hits that will continue the optimization process of drug candidates. The prospects for growth in drug discovery and development processes in chemical, biotechnological, and pharmaceutical companies began a few years ago by integrating computational tools with artificial intelligence methodologies. It is anticipated that it will increase the number of drugs approved by regulatory agencies shortly.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dionisio A Olmedo
- Centro de Investigaciones Farmacognósticas de la Flora Panameña (CIFLORPAN), Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad de Panamá, Ciudad de Panamá, Apartado, 0824-00178, Panamá
- Sistema Nacional de Investigación (SNI), Secretaria Nacional de Ciencia, Tecnología e Innovación (SENACYT), Ciudad del Saber, Clayton, Panamá
| | - Armando A Durant-Archibold
- Centro de Biodiversidad y Descubrimiento de Drogas, Instituto de Investigaciones Científicas y Servicios de Alta Tecnología (INDICASAT AIP), Apartado, 0843-01103, Panamá
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Facultad de Ciencias Naturales, Exactas y Tecnología, Universidad de Panamá, Ciudad de Panamá, Panamá
| | - José Luis López-Pérez
- CESIFAR, Departamento de Farmacología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Panamá, Ciudad de Panamá, Panamá
- Departamento de Ciencias Farmacéuticas, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad de Salamanca, Avda. Campo Charro s/n, 37071 Salamanca, España
| | - José Luis Medina-Franco
- DIFACQUIM Grupo de Investigación, Departamento de Farmacia, Escuela de Química, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México, Apartado, 04510, México
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Tauchen J, Frankova A, Manourova A, Valterova I, Lojka B, Leuner O. Garcinia kola: a critical review on chemistry and pharmacology of an important West African medicinal plant. PHYTOCHEMISTRY REVIEWS : PROCEEDINGS OF THE PHYTOCHEMICAL SOCIETY OF EUROPE 2023:1-47. [PMID: 37359709 PMCID: PMC10205037 DOI: 10.1007/s11101-023-09869-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2022] [Accepted: 04/03/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023]
Abstract
Garcinia kola Heckel (Clusiaceae) is a tree indigenous to West and Central Africa. All plant parts, but especially the seeds, are of value in local folklore medicine. Garcinia kola is used in treatment of numerous diseases, including gastric disorders, bronchial diseases, fever, malaria and is used to induce a stimulating and aphrodisiac effect. The plant is now attracting considerable interest as a possible source of pharmaceutically important drugs. Several different classes of compounds such as biflavonoids, benzophenones, benzofurans, benzopyran, vitamin E derivatives, xanthones, and phytosterols, have been isolated from G. kola, of which many appears to be found only in this species, such as garcinianin (found in seeds and roots), kolanone (fruit pulp, seeds, roots), gakolanone (stem bark), garcinoic acid, garcinal (both in seeds), garcifuran A and B, and garcipyran (all in roots). They showed a wide range of pharmacological activities (e.g. analgesic, anticancer, antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, antimalarial, antimicrobial, hepatoprotective and neuroprotective effects), though this has only been confirmed in animal models. Kolaviron is the most studied compound and is perceived by many studies as the active principle of G. kola. However, its research is associated with significant flaws (e.g. too high doses tested, inappropriate positive control). Garcinol has been tested under better conditions and is perhaps showing more promising results and should attract deeper research interest (especially in the area of anticancer, antimicrobial, and neuroprotective activity). Human clinical trials and mechanism-of-action studies must be carried out to verify whether any of the compounds present in G. kola may be used as a lead in the drug development.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jan Tauchen
- Department of Food Science, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Adela Frankova
- Department of Food Science, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Anna Manourova
- Department of Crop Sciences and Agroforestry, Faculty of Tropical AgriSciences, Czech University of Life Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Irena Valterova
- Department of Crop Sciences and Agroforestry, Faculty of Tropical AgriSciences, Czech University of Life Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Bohdan Lojka
- Department of Crop Sciences and Agroforestry, Faculty of Tropical AgriSciences, Czech University of Life Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Olga Leuner
- Department of Crop Sciences and Agroforestry, Faculty of Tropical AgriSciences, Czech University of Life Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Patlewicz G, Paul-Friedman K, Houck K, Zhang L, Huang R, Xia M, Brown J, Simmons SO. Evaluating the utility of a high throughput thiol-containing fluorescent probe to screen for reactivity: A case study with the Tox21 library. COMPUTATIONAL TOXICOLOGY (AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS) 2023; 26:10.1016/j.comtox.2023.100271. [PMID: 37388277 PMCID: PMC10304587 DOI: 10.1016/j.comtox.2023.100271] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/01/2023]
Abstract
High-throughput screening (HTS) assays for bioactivity in the Tox21 program aim to evaluate an array of different biological targets and pathways, but a significant barrier to interpretation of these data is the lack of high-throughput screening (HTS) assays intended to identify non-specific reactive chemicals. This is an important aspect for prioritising chemicals to test in specific assays, identifying promiscuous chemicals based on their reactivity, as well as addressing hazards such as skin sensitisation which are not necessarily initiated by a receptor-mediated effect but act through a non-specific mechanism. Herein, a fluorescence-based HTS assay that allows the identification of thiol-reactive compounds was used to screen 7,872 unique chemicals in the Tox21 10K chemical library. Active chemicals were compared with profiling outcomes using structural alerts encoding electrophilic information. Random Forest classification models based on chemical fingerprints were developed to predict assay outcomes and evaluated through 10-fold stratified cross validation (CV). The mean CV Balanced Accuracy of the validation set was 0.648. The model developed shows promise as a tool to screen untested chemicals for their potential electrophilic reactivity based solely on chemical structural features.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Grace Patlewicz
- Center for Computational Toxicology & Exposure (CCTE), U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, Durham, NC, 27709, USA
| | - Katie Paul-Friedman
- Center for Computational Toxicology & Exposure (CCTE), U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, Durham, NC, 27709, USA
| | - Keith Houck
- Center for Computational Toxicology & Exposure (CCTE), U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, Durham, NC, 27709, USA
| | - Li Zhang
- National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS), National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Ruili Huang
- National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS), National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Menghang Xia
- National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS), National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Jason Brown
- Center for Computational Toxicology & Exposure (CCTE), U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, Durham, NC, 27709, USA
| | - Steven O. Simmons
- Center for Computational Toxicology & Exposure (CCTE), U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, Durham, NC, 27709, USA
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Proj M, Hrast M, Knez D, Bozovičar K, Grabrijan K, Meden A, Gobec S, Frlan R. Fragment-Sized Thiazoles in Fragment-Based Drug Discovery Campaigns: Friend or Foe? ACS Med Chem Lett 2022; 13:1905-1910. [DOI: 10.1021/acsmedchemlett.2c00429] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2022] [Accepted: 10/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Matic Proj
- Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Ljubljana, Askerceva 7, Ljubljana 1000, Slovenia
| | - Martina Hrast
- Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Ljubljana, Askerceva 7, Ljubljana 1000, Slovenia
| | - Damijan Knez
- Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Ljubljana, Askerceva 7, Ljubljana 1000, Slovenia
| | - Krištof Bozovičar
- Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Ljubljana, Askerceva 7, Ljubljana 1000, Slovenia
| | - Katarina Grabrijan
- Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Ljubljana, Askerceva 7, Ljubljana 1000, Slovenia
| | - Anže Meden
- Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Ljubljana, Askerceva 7, Ljubljana 1000, Slovenia
| | - Stanislav Gobec
- Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Ljubljana, Askerceva 7, Ljubljana 1000, Slovenia
| | - Rok Frlan
- Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Ljubljana, Askerceva 7, Ljubljana 1000, Slovenia
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Do XH, Hoang MHT, Vu AT, Nguyen LT, Bui DTT, Dinh DT, Nguyen XH, Than UTT, Mai HT, To TT, Nguyen TNH, Hoang NTM. Differential Cytotoxicity of Curcumin-Loaded Micelles on Human Tumor and Stromal Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232012362. [PMID: 36293215 PMCID: PMC9604151 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232012362] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2022] [Revised: 10/05/2022] [Accepted: 10/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
Although curcumin in the form of nanoparticles has been demonstrated as a potential anti-tumor compound, the impact of curcumin and nanocurcumin in vitro on normal cells and in vivo in animal models is largely unknown. This study evaluated the toxicity of curcumin-loaded micelles in vitro and in vivo on several tumor cell lines, primary stromal cells, and zebrafish embryos. Breast tumor cell line (MCF7) and stromal cells (human umbilical cord vein endothelial cells, human fibroblasts, and human umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells) were used in this study. A zebrafish embryotoxicity (FET) assay was conducted following the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Test 236. Compared to free curcumin, curcumin PM showed higher cytotoxicity to MCF7 cells in both monolayer culture and multicellular tumor spheroids. The curcumin-loaded micelles efficiently penetrated the MCF7 spheroids and induced apoptosis. The nanocurcumin reduced the viability and disturbed the function of stromal cells by suppressing cell migration and tube formation. The micelles demonstrated toxicity to the development of zebrafish embryos. Curcumin-loaded micelles demonstrated toxicity to both tumor and normal primary stromal cells and zebrafish embryos, indicating that the use of nanocurcumin in cancer treatment should be carefully investigated and controlled.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xuan-Hai Do
- Department of Practical and Experimental Surgery, Vietnam Military Medical University, 160 Phung Hung Street, Phuc La, Ha Dong, Hanoi 10000, Vietnam
| | - My Hanh Thi Hoang
- Faculty of Biology, VNU University of Science, 334 Nguyen Trai Street, Hanoi 10000, Vietnam or
| | - Anh-Tuan Vu
- Faculty of Biology, VNU University of Science, 334 Nguyen Trai Street, Hanoi 10000, Vietnam or
| | - Lai-Thanh Nguyen
- Faculty of Biology, VNU University of Science, 334 Nguyen Trai Street, Hanoi 10000, Vietnam or
| | - Dung Thi Thuy Bui
- Faculty of Biology, VNU University of Science, 334 Nguyen Trai Street, Hanoi 10000, Vietnam or
| | - Duy-Thanh Dinh
- Faculty of Biology, VNU University of Science, 334 Nguyen Trai Street, Hanoi 10000, Vietnam or
- Laboratory for Organogenesis and Regeneration, GIGA-R, University of Liège, 4000 Liège, Belgium
| | - Xuan-Hung Nguyen
- Center of Applied Sciences, Regenerative Medicine and Advance Technologies (CARA), Vinmec Healthcare System, 458 Minh Khai Street, Hanoi 10000, Vietnam
- College of Health Sciences, Vin University, Hanoi 10000, Vietnam
| | - Uyen Thi Trang Than
- Center of Applied Sciences, Regenerative Medicine and Advance Technologies (CARA), Vinmec Healthcare System, 458 Minh Khai Street, Hanoi 10000, Vietnam
| | - Hien Thi Mai
- Center of Applied Sciences, Regenerative Medicine and Advance Technologies (CARA), Vinmec Healthcare System, 458 Minh Khai Street, Hanoi 10000, Vietnam
| | - Thuy Thanh To
- Faculty of Biology, VNU University of Science, 334 Nguyen Trai Street, Hanoi 10000, Vietnam or
| | - Tra Ngoc Huong Nguyen
- Department of Biology, Mount Holyoke College, 50 College Street, South Hadley, MA 01075, USA
| | - Nhung Thi My Hoang
- Faculty of Biology, VNU University of Science, 334 Nguyen Trai Street, Hanoi 10000, Vietnam or
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +84-947440249
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Proj M, Knez D, Sosič I, Gobec S. Redox active or thiol reactive? Optimization of rapid screens to identify less evident nuisance compounds. Drug Discov Today 2022; 27:1733-1742. [PMID: 35301150 DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2022.03.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2021] [Revised: 02/03/2022] [Accepted: 03/11/2022] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Compounds that exhibit assay interference or undesirable mechanisms of bioactivity are routinely encountered in assays at various stages of drug discovery. We observed that assays for the investigation of thiol-reactive and redox-active compounds have not been collected in a comprehensive review. Here, we review these assays and subject them to experimental optimization to improve their reliability. We demonstrate the usefulness of our assay cascade by assaying a library of bioactive compounds, chemical probes, and a set of approved drugs. These high-throughput assays should complement the array of wet-lab and in silico assays during the initial stages of hit discovery campaigns to pursue only hit compounds with tractable mechanisms of action. Teaser: We provide an overview of assays to detect redox active and thiol reactive compounds and the robust protocols for identification of nuisance compounds during early stages of drug discovery programs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Matic Proj
- University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Askerceva 7, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Damijan Knez
- University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Askerceva 7, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Izidor Sosič
- University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Askerceva 7, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia.
| | - Stanislav Gobec
- University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Askerceva 7, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia.
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Discovery of Highly Potent Fusion Inhibitors with Potential Pan-Coronavirus Activity That Effectively Inhibit Major COVID-19 Variants of Concern (VOCs) in Pseudovirus-Based Assays. Viruses 2021; 14:v14010069. [PMID: 35062273 PMCID: PMC8780828 DOI: 10.3390/v14010069] [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: 11/22/2021] [Revised: 12/26/2021] [Accepted: 12/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
We report the discovery of several highly potent small molecules with low-nM potency against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV; lowest half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50: 13 nM), SARS-CoV-2 (IC50: 23 nM), and Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV; IC50: 76 nM) in pseudovirus-based assays with excellent selectivity index (SI) values (>5000), demonstrating potential pan-coronavirus inhibitory activities. Some compounds showed 100% inhibition against the cytopathic effects (CPE; IC100) of an authentic SARS-CoV-2 (US_WA-1/2020) variant at 1.25 µM. The most active inhibitors also potently inhibited variants of concern (VOCs), including the UK (B.1.1.7) and South African (B.1.351) variants and the Delta variant (B.1.617.2) originally identified in India in pseudovirus-based assay. Surface plasmon resonance (SPR) analysis with one potent inhibitor confirmed that it binds to the prefusion SARS-CoV-2 spike protein trimer. These small-molecule inhibitors prevented virus-mediated cell-cell fusion. The absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion (ADME) data for one of the most active inhibitors, NBCoV1, demonstrated drug-like properties. An in vivo pharmacokinetics (PK) study of NBCoV1 in rats demonstrated an excellent half-life (t1/2) of 11.3 h, a mean resident time (MRT) of 14.2 h, and oral bioavailability. We expect these lead inhibitors to facilitate the further development of preclinical and clinical candidates.
Collapse
|
11
|
Yepes AF, Arias JD, Cardona-G W, Herrera-R A, Moreno G. New class of hybrids based on chalcone and melatonin: a promising therapeutic option for the treatment of colorectal cancer. Med Chem Res 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s00044-021-02805-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
|