Computer-Aided Drug Design of Novel Derivatives of 2-Amino-7,9-dihydro-8H-purin-8-one as Potent Pan-Janus JAK3 Inhibitors

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) remains one of the most prevalent autoimmune diseases worldwide. Janus kinase 3 (JAK3) is an essential enzyme for treating autoimmune diseases, including RA. Molecular modeling techniques play a crucial role in the search for new drugs by reducing time delays. In this study, the 3D-QSAR approach is employed to predict new JAK3 inhibitors. Two robust models, both field-based with R2 = 0.93, R = 0.96, and Q2 = 87, and atom-based with R2 = 0.94, R = 0.97, and Q2 = 86, yielded good results by identifying groups that may readily direct their interaction. A reliable pharmacophore model, DHRRR1, was provided in this work to enable the clear characterization of chemical features, leading to the design of 13 inhibitors with their pIC50 values. The DHRRR1 model yielded a validation result with a ROC value of 0.87. Five promising inhibitors were selected for further study based on an ADMET analysis of their pharmacokinetic properties and covalent docking (CovDock). Compared to the FDA-approved drug tofacitinib, the pharmaceutical features, binding affinity and stability of the inhibitors were analyzed through CovDock, 300 ns molecular dynamics simulations, free energy binding calculations and ADMET predictions. The results show that the inhibitors have strong binding affinity, stability and favorable pharmaceutical properties. The newly predicted molecules, as JAK3 inhibitors for the treatment of RA, are promising candidates for use as drugs.

Genes and Longevity of Lifespan

Aging is a complex process indicated by low energy levels, declined physiological activity, stress induced loss of homeostasis leading to the risk of diseases and mortality. Recent developments in medical sciences and an increased availability of nutritional requirements has significantly increased the average human lifespan worldwide. Several environmental and physiological factors contribute to the aging process. However, about 40% human life expectancy is inherited among generations, many lifespan associated genes, genetic mechanisms and pathways have been demonstrated during last decades. In the present review, we have evaluated many human genes and their non-human orthologs established for their role in the regulation of lifespan. The study has included more than fifty genes reported in the literature for their contributions to the longevity of life. Intact genomic DNA is essential for the life activities at the level of cell, tissue, and organ. Nucleic acids are vulnerable to oxidative stress, chemotherapies, and exposure to radiations. Efficient DNA repair mechanisms are essential for the maintenance of genomic integrity, damaged DNA is not replicated and transferred to next generations rather the presence of deleterious DNA initiates signaling cascades leading to the cell cycle arrest or apoptosis. DNA modifications, DNA methylation, histone methylation, histone acetylation and DNA damage can eventually lead towards apoptosis. The importance of calorie restriction therapy in the extension of lifespan has also been discussed. The role of pathways involved in the regulation of lifespan such as DAF-16/FOXO (forkhead box protein O1), TOR and JNK pathways has also been particularized. The study provides an updated account of genetic factors associated with the extended lifespan and their interactive contributory role with cellular pathways.

XENOHORMESIS UNDERLYES THE ANTI-AGING AND HEALTHY PROPERTIES OF OLIVE POLYPHENOLS

The paper provides a comprehensive and foundational mechanistic framework of hormesis that establishes its centrality in medicine and public health. This hormetic framework is applied to the assessment of olive polyphenols with respect to their capacity to slow the onset and reduce the magnitude of a wide range of age-related disorders and neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's Disease and Parkinson's Disease. It is proposed that olive polyphenol-induced anti-inflammatory protective effects are mediated in large part via the activation of AMPK and the upregulation of Nrf2 pathway. Consistently, herein we also review the importance of the modulation of Nrf2-related stress responsive vitagenes by olive polyphenols, which at low concentration according to the hormesis theory activates this neuroprotective cascade to preserve brain health and its potential use in the prevention and therapy against aging and age-related cognitive disorders in humans.

Olive Polyphenols: Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Properties

Oxidative stress and inflammation triggered by increased oxidative stress are the cause of many chronic diseases. The lack of anti-inflammatory drugs without side-effects has stimulated the search for new active substances. Plant-derived compounds provide new potential anti-inflammatory and antioxidant molecules. Natural products are structurally optimized by evolution to serve particular biological functions, including the regulation of endogenous defense mechanisms and interaction with other organisms. This property explains their relevance for infectious diseases and cancer. Recently, among the various natural substances, polyphenols from extra virgin olive oil (EVOO), an important element of the Mediterranean diet, have aroused growing interest. Extensive studies have shown the potent therapeutic effects of these bioactive molecules against a series of chronic diseases, such as cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, neurodegenerative disorders and cancer. This review begins from the chemical structure, abundance and bioavailability of the main EVOO polyphenols to highlight the effects and the possible molecular mechanism(s) of action of these compounds against inflammation and oxidation, in vitro and in vivo. In addition, the mechanisms of inhibition of molecular signaling pathways activated by oxidative stress by EVOO polyphenols are discussed, together with their possible roles in inflammation-mediated chronic disorders, also taking into account meta-analysis of population studies and clinical trials.

IL-35 promotes EMT through STAT3 activation and induces MET by promoting M2 macrophage polarization in HCC

The tumor microenvironment and interplay with cancer cells could promote tumor growth and metastasis. Here we report that polarization state of macrophages could affect epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and mesenchymal-epithelial transition (MET). IL-35 level secreted by M1 macrophage was significantly higher than M2 macrophage and it facilitated EMT process through activation of STAT3 in hepatocellular carcinoma cells. Interestingly, IL-35 could not directly promote MET, but it could indirectly induce MET of HCC cells through M2 macrophage polarization. These results indicated the level of IL-35 in tumor microenvironment may fluctuate at different stages of oncogenesis to regulate epithelial plasticity of HCC and provide potential therapeutic targets for tumor metastasis.

Polyphenols as Caloric-Restriction Mimetics and Autophagy Inducers in Aging Research

It has been thought that caloric restriction favors longevity and healthy aging where autophagy plays a vital role. However, autophagy decreases during aging and that can lead to the development of aging-associated diseases such as cancer, diabetes, neurodegeneration, etc. It was shown that autophagy can be induced by mechanical or chemical stress. In this regard, various pharmacological compounds were proposed, including natural polyphenols. Apart from the ability to induce autophagy, polyphenols, such as resveratrol, are capable of modulating the expression of pro- and anti-apoptotic factors, neutralizing free radical species, affecting mitochondrial functions, chelating redox-active transition metal ions, and preventing protein aggregation. Moreover, polyphenols have advantages compared to chemical inducers of autophagy due to their intrinsic natural bio-compatibility and safety. In this context, polyphenols can be considered as a potential therapeutic tool for healthy aging either as a part of a diet or as separate compounds (supplements). This review discusses the epigenetic aspect and the underlying molecular mechanism of polyphenols as an anti-aging remedy. In addition, the recent advances of studies on NAD-dependent deacetylase sirtuin-1 (SIRT1) regulation of autophagy, the role of senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP) in cells senescence and their regulation by polyphenols have been highlighted as well. Apart from that, the review also revised the latest information on how polyphenols can help to improve mitochondrial function and modulate apoptosis (programmed cell death).