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Adomako AK, Gasu EN, Mensah JO, Borquaye LS. Antileishmanial natural products as potential inhibitors of the Leishmania pteridine reductase: insights from molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations. In Silico Pharmacol 2024; 12:70. [PMID: 39091898 PMCID: PMC11289227 DOI: 10.1007/s40203-024-00247-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2023] [Accepted: 07/22/2024] [Indexed: 08/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Although many natural product-derived compounds possess anti-leishmanial activities in vitro and in vivo, their molecular targets in the Leishmania parasite remain elusive. This is a major challenge in optimizing these compounds into leads. The Leishmania pteridine reductase (PTR1) is peculiar for folate and pterin metabolism and has been validated as a drug target. In this study, 17 compounds with anti-leishmanial activities were screened against Leishmania major PTR1 (LmPTR1) using molecular docking and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. All ligands were bound in the active site pocket of LmPTR1 with binding affinities ranging from -11.2 to -5.2 kcal/mol. Agnuside, betulin, betulinic acid, gerberinol, ismailin, oleanolic acid, pristimerin, and ursolic acid demonstrated binding affinities similar to a known inhibitor, methyl 1-(4-{[2,4-diaminopteridin-6-yl) methyl] amino} benzoyl) piperidine-4-carboxylate (DVP). MD simulations revealed that betulin, betulinic acid, ismailin, oleanolic acid, pristimerin, and ursolic acid formed stable complexes with LmPTR1. The binding free energies of the complexes were very good (-87 to -148 kJ/mol), and much higher than the complex of the standard DVP inhibitor and LmPTR1 (-27 kJ/mol). Betulin, betulinic acid, ismailin, oleanolic acid, pristimerin, and ursolic acid likely exert their antileishmanial action by inhibiting PTR1 and could thus be used as a basis for the development of potential antileishmanial chemotherapeutic agents. Graphical abstract Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s40203-024-00247-8.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Edward Ntim Gasu
- Department of Chemistry, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
- Central Laboratory, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
| | | | - Lawrence Sheringham Borquaye
- Department of Chemistry, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
- Central Laboratory, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
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2
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Alipour Z, Zarezadeh S, Ghotbi-Ravandi AA. The Potential of Anti-coronavirus Plant Secondary Metabolites in COVID-19 Drug Discovery as an Alternative to Repurposed Drugs: A Review. PLANTA MEDICA 2024; 90:172-203. [PMID: 37956978 DOI: 10.1055/a-2209-6357] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2023]
Abstract
In early 2020, a global pandemic was announced due to the emergence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), known to cause COVID-19. Despite worldwide efforts, there are only limited options regarding antiviral drug treatments for COVID-19. Although vaccines are now available, issues such as declining efficacy against different SARS-CoV-2 variants and the aging of vaccine-induced immunity highlight the importance of finding more antiviral drugs as a second line of defense against the disease. Drug repurposing has been used to rapidly find COVID-19 therapeutic options. Due to the lack of clinical evidence for the therapeutic benefits and certain serious side effects of repurposed antivirals, the search for an antiviral drug against SARS-CoV-2 with fewer side effects continues. In recent years, numerous studies have included antiviral chemicals from a variety of plant species. A better knowledge of the possible antiviral natural products and their mechanism against SARS-CoV-2 will help to develop stronger and more targeted direct-acting antiviral agents. The aim of the present study was to compile the current data on potential plant metabolites that can be investigated in COVID-19 drug discovery and development. This review represents a collection of plant secondary metabolites and their mode of action against SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zahra Alipour
- Department of Plant Sciences and Biotechnology, Faculty of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Somayeh Zarezadeh
- Department of Plant Sciences and Biotechnology, Faculty of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ali Akbar Ghotbi-Ravandi
- Department of Plant Sciences and Biotechnology, Faculty of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran
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3
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Boakye‐Yiadom M, Yeboah R, Offei‐Abrokwa D, Wilson EB, Darko SA, Tamakloe E. The use of Nibima and Immunim, two Ghanaian herbal medicines in the management of mild COVID-19: A case report. Clin Case Rep 2024; 12:e8539. [PMID: 38405358 PMCID: PMC10890966 DOI: 10.1002/ccr3.8539] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2023] [Revised: 01/22/2024] [Accepted: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 02/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Key Clinical Message Nibima and Immunim manages mild COVID-19 in 7 days. Abstract Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) can lead to severe complications and deaths. The search for phytotherapeutic agents to augment the fight against the current COVID-19 pandemic is therefore of highest priority. A 52-year-old female with no history of chronic illness presented to our clinic facility with a 3 days loss of smell and headache which persisted after self-medication. The patient tested positive for COVID-19 in the SARS-CoV-2 Ag test as well as the Typhoid rapid antibody test. Routine laboratory tests were not remarkable. A 60 mL three times daily dose of Nibima and 5 mL in 40 mL of warm water dose of Immunim were given to the patient for 7 days. Patient recovered sense of smell and regained appetite but cough although reduced persisted. She also tested negative for COVID-19 after 7 days treatment. This case is the first documented case of COVID-19 management with herbal medicines in Ghana. We strongly suggest a larger control trial on these products to ascertain these findings to repurpose them as viable treatments for COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mavis Boakye‐Yiadom
- Clinical Research DepartmentCentre for Plant Medicine ResearchMampong‐AkuapemGhana
| | - Ronald Yeboah
- Clinical Research DepartmentCentre for Plant Medicine ResearchMampong‐AkuapemGhana
| | - David Offei‐Abrokwa
- Clinical Research DepartmentCentre for Plant Medicine ResearchMampong‐AkuapemGhana
| | - Ekuwa Baisiwa Wilson
- Clinical Research DepartmentCentre for Plant Medicine ResearchMampong‐AkuapemGhana
| | - Samuel Annang Darko
- Clinical Research DepartmentCentre for Plant Medicine ResearchMampong‐AkuapemGhana
| | - Emmanuel Tamakloe
- Clinical Research DepartmentCentre for Plant Medicine ResearchMampong‐AkuapemGhana
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Akakpo L, Gasu EN, Mensah JO, Borquaye LS. Oplodiol and nitidine as potential inhibitors of Plasmodium falciparum dihydrofolate reductase: insights from a computational study. J Biomol Struct Dyn 2024; 42:1655-1669. [PMID: 37194452 DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2023.2212815] [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: 01/31/2023] [Accepted: 04/05/2023] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
Many natural products have been shown to possess antiplasmodial activities, but their protein targets are unknown. This work employed molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations to explore the inhibitory activity of some antiplasmodial natural products against wild-type and mutant strains of Plasmodium falciparum dihydrofolate reductase (PfDHFR). From the molecular docking study, 6 ligands preferentially bind at the active site of the DHFR domain with binding energies ranging from -6.4 to -9.5 kcal/mol. Interactions of compounds with MET55 and PHE58 were mostly observed in the molecular docking study. From the molecular dynamics study, the binding of 2 of the ligands-nitidine and oplodiol-was observed to be stable against all tested strains of PfDHFR. The average binding free energy of oplodiol in complex with the various PfDHFR strains was -93.701 kJ/mol whereas that of nitidine was -106.206 kJ/mol. The impressive in silico activities of the 2 compounds suggest they could be considered for development as potential antifolate agents.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Loretta Akakpo
- Department of Chemistry, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Edward Ntim Gasu
- Department of Chemistry, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
- Central Laboratory, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
| | | | - Lawrence Sheringham Borquaye
- Department of Chemistry, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
- Central Laboratory, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
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5
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Manu P, Mensah JO, Gasu EN, Borquaye LS. The Amaryllidaceae alkaloid, montanine, is a potential inhibitor of the Trypanosoma cruzi trans-sialidase enzyme. J Biomol Struct Dyn 2023:1-17. [PMID: 37870068 DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2023.2272750] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2023] [Accepted: 08/10/2023] [Indexed: 10/24/2023]
Abstract
Trypanosoma cruzi is the parasite that causes the chronic malady known as Chagas disease (CD). Only nifurtimox and benznidazole are currently approved to treat CD in acute and chronic phases. To minimize the danger of disease transmission and as a therapy, new compounds that are safer and more effective are required. It has been demonstrated that Amaryllidaceae plants suppress the growth of T. cruzi - the causative agent of CD. However, little research has been done on their potential protein targets in the parasite. In this study, an in-silico approach was used to investigate the interactions of the Amaryllidaceae alkaloids with trans-sialidase, a confirmed protein target of T. cruzi. The nature and efficiency of the main binding modes of the alkaloids were investigated by molecular docking. Trans-sialidase active site residues were bound by the alkaloids with binding energies varying from -8.9 to -6.9 kcal/mol. From the molecular docking investigation, all the alkaloids had strong interactions with the crucial amino acid residues (Glu230, Tyr342, and Asp59) required for trans-sialidase catalysis. Montanine was the most stable compound throughout the molecular dynamics simulation and had a favorable docking binding energy (-8.9 kcal/mol). The binding free energy (MM-GBSA) of the montanine complex was -14.6 kcal/mol. The pharmacokinetic properties investigated demonstrated that all the evaluated compounds exhibit suitable oral administration requirements. Overall, this in silico study suggests that the Amaryllidaceae alkaloids could potentially act as inhibitors of trans-sialidase.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Prince Manu
- Department of Chemistry, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
| | | | - Edward Ntim Gasu
- Department of Chemistry, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
- Central Laboratory, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Lawrence Sheringham Borquaye
- Department of Chemistry, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
- Central Laboratory, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
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Raman K, Rajagopal K, Ramesh B, Nallasivan PK, Raja MKMM, Jupudi S, Byran G, Khan SL, Bin Emran T. Drug target of natural products and COVID-19: how far has science progressed? Ann Med Surg (Lond) 2023; 85:2731-2742. [PMID: 37363478 PMCID: PMC10289732 DOI: 10.1097/ms9.0000000000000703] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2022] [Accepted: 04/10/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023] Open
Abstract
The new coronavirus [severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)] that caused a viral disease with a high risk of mortality (coronavirus disease 2019) was found toward the end of 2019. This was a significant acute respiratory syndrome. In a brief period, this virus spread throughout the entire planet, causing tremendous loss of life and economic damage. The process of developing new treatments takes time, and there are presently no recognized specific treatments to treat this infection. The most promising participants, who subsequently developed into prospective leads, were dropped from the clinical research in their latter phases. Medication that has previously acquired permission may only be repurposed for use for various medical reasons following a thorough investigation for safety and effectiveness. Because there are now no effective treatments available, natural products are being used haphazardly as antiviral medications and immunity boosters. The fundamental statement that most natural compounds have powerful antiviral action does not apply to SARS-CoV-2. Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus infections are inhibited by natural treatments. According to an in silico study, the virus' nonstructural proteins, including PLpro, Mpro, and RdRp, as well as structural proteins like the spike (S) protein, have been shown to have a strong affinity for several natural products and to be inhibited by them. The virus also suggests that it is a valid candidate for therapeutic research since it utilizes the intracellular angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 receptor of the host cell. In this study, interesting targets for SARS-CoV-2 medication development are explored, as well as the antiviral properties of some well-known natural compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kannan Raman
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, JSS College of Pharmacy (JSS Academy of Higher Education & Research), Ooty, The Nilgiris, Tamil Nadu India
| | - Kalirajan Rajagopal
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, JSS College of Pharmacy (JSS Academy of Higher Education & Research), Ooty, The Nilgiris, Tamil Nadu India
| | - B. Ramesh
- Kakatiya Government College, Hanumakonda, Telangana India
| | - P. Kumar Nallasivan
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Karpagam Academy of Higher Education, Coimbatore India
| | - M. K. Mohan M. Raja
- Parul Institute of Pharmacy and Research, Parul University, Vadodara, Gujarat India
| | - Srikanth Jupudi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, JSS College of Pharmacy (JSS Academy of Higher Education & Research), Ooty, The Nilgiris, Tamil Nadu India
| | - Gowramma Byran
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, JSS College of Pharmacy (JSS Academy of Higher Education & Research), Ooty, The Nilgiris, Tamil Nadu India
| | - Sharuk L. Khan
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, N.B.S. Institute of Pharmacy, Ausa, Maharashtra, India
| | - Talha Bin Emran
- Department of Pharmacy, BGC Trust University Bangladesh, Chittagong, Bangladesh
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Daffodil International University, Dhaka, Bangladesh
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Saramago LC, Santana MV, Gomes BF, Dantas RF, Senger MR, Oliveira Borges PH, Ferreira VNDS, dos Santos Rosa A, Tucci AR, Dias Miranda M, Lukacik P, Strain-Damerell C, Owen CD, Walsh MA, Ferreira SB, Silva-Junior FP. AI-Driven Discovery of SARS-CoV-2 Main Protease Fragment-like Inhibitors with Antiviral Activity In Vitro. J Chem Inf Model 2023; 63:2866-2880. [PMID: 37058135 PMCID: PMC10124747 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jcim.3c00409] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2023] [Indexed: 04/15/2023]
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 is the causative agent of COVID-19 and is responsible for the current global pandemic. The viral genome contains 5 major open reading frames of which the largest ORF1ab codes for two polyproteins, pp1ab and pp1a, which are subsequently cleaved into 16 nonstructural proteins (nsp) by two viral cysteine proteases encoded within the polyproteins. The main protease (Mpro, nsp5) cleaves the majority of the nsp's, making it essential for viral replication and has been successfully targeted for the development of antivirals. The first oral Mpro inhibitor, nirmatrelvir, was approved for treatment of COVID-19 in late December 2021 in combination with ritonavir as Paxlovid. Increasing the arsenal of antivirals and development of protease inhibitors and other antivirals with a varied mode of action remains a priority to reduce the likelihood for resistance emerging. Here, we report results from an artificial intelligence-driven approach followed by in vitro validation, allowing the identification of five fragment-like Mpro inhibitors with IC50 values ranging from 1.5 to 241 μM. The three most potent molecules (compounds 818, 737, and 183) were tested against SARS-CoV-2 by in vitro replication in Vero E6 and Calu-3 cells. Compound 818 was active in both cell models with an EC50 value comparable to its measured IC50 value. On the other hand, compounds 737 and 183 were only active in Calu-3, a preclinical model of respiratory cells, showing selective indexes twice as high as those for compound 818. We also show that our in silico methodology was successful in identifying both reversible and covalent inhibitors. For instance, compound 818 is a reversible chloromethylamide analogue of 8-methyl-γ-carboline, while compound 737 is an N-pyridyl-isatin that covalently inhibits Mpro. Given the small molecular weights of these fragments, their high binding efficiency in vitro and efficacy in blocking viral replication, these compounds represent good starting points for the development of potent lead molecules targeting the Mpro of SARS-CoV-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luiz Carlos Saramago
- LaBECFar-Laboratório de Bioquímica
Experimental e Computacional de Fármacos, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz,
Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, 21040-900 Rio de
Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Marcos V. Santana
- LaBECFar-Laboratório de Bioquímica
Experimental e Computacional de Fármacos, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz,
Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, 21040-900 Rio de
Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Bárbara Figueira Gomes
- LaBECFar-Laboratório de Bioquímica
Experimental e Computacional de Fármacos, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz,
Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, 21040-900 Rio de
Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Rafael Ferreira Dantas
- LaBECFar-Laboratório de Bioquímica
Experimental e Computacional de Fármacos, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz,
Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, 21040-900 Rio de
Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Mario R. Senger
- LaBECFar-Laboratório de Bioquímica
Experimental e Computacional de Fármacos, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz,
Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, 21040-900 Rio de
Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Pedro Henrique Oliveira Borges
- LaBECFar-Laboratório de Bioquímica
Experimental e Computacional de Fármacos, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz,
Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, 21040-900 Rio de
Janeiro, Brazil
- LaSOPB-Laboratório de Síntese
Orgânica e Prospecção Biológica, Instituto de Química,
Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, 21040-900 Rio de
Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Vivian Neuza dos Santos Ferreira
- LMMV-Laboratório de Morfologia e
Morfogênese Viral (LMMV), Instituto Oswaldo Cruz,
Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, 21040-900 Rio de
Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Alice dos Santos Rosa
- LMMV-Laboratório de Morfologia e
Morfogênese Viral (LMMV), Instituto Oswaldo Cruz,
Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, 21040-900 Rio de
Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Amanda Resende Tucci
- LMMV-Laboratório de Morfologia e
Morfogênese Viral (LMMV), Instituto Oswaldo Cruz,
Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, 21040-900 Rio de
Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Milene Dias Miranda
- LMMV-Laboratório de Morfologia e
Morfogênese Viral (LMMV), Instituto Oswaldo Cruz,
Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, 21040-900 Rio de
Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Petra Lukacik
- Diamond Light Source, Harwell Science and
Innovation Campus, OX11 0DE Didcot, U.K.
- Research Complex at Harwell, Harwell
Science & Innovation Campus, OX11 0FA Didcot,
U.K.
| | - Claire Strain-Damerell
- Diamond Light Source, Harwell Science and
Innovation Campus, OX11 0DE Didcot, U.K.
- Research Complex at Harwell, Harwell
Science & Innovation Campus, OX11 0FA Didcot,
U.K.
| | - C. David Owen
- Diamond Light Source, Harwell Science and
Innovation Campus, OX11 0DE Didcot, U.K.
- Research Complex at Harwell, Harwell
Science & Innovation Campus, OX11 0FA Didcot,
U.K.
| | - Martin Austin Walsh
- Diamond Light Source, Harwell Science and
Innovation Campus, OX11 0DE Didcot, U.K.
- Research Complex at Harwell, Harwell
Science & Innovation Campus, OX11 0FA Didcot,
U.K.
| | - Sabrina Baptista Ferreira
- LaSOPB-Laboratório de Síntese
Orgânica e Prospecção Biológica, Instituto de Química,
Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, 21040-900 Rio de
Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Floriano Paes Silva-Junior
- LaBECFar-Laboratório de Bioquímica
Experimental e Computacional de Fármacos, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz,
Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, 21040-900 Rio de
Janeiro, Brazil
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Odoom JF, Aboagye CI, Acheampong P, Asiamah I, Darko G, Borquaye LS. Chemical Composition, Antioxidant, and Antimicrobial Activities of the Leaf and Fruit Essential Oils of the West African Plum, Vitex doniana. J CHEM-NY 2023. [DOI: 10.1155/2023/9959296] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Vitex doniana (West African plum or black plum) is a plant with varying phytoconstituents and biological activities across different countries. In this study, essential oils extracted from the leaves and fruits of Vitex doniana cultivated in Ghana were investigated for their antimicrobial and antioxidant activities. The antioxidant actions of the essential oils were determined using hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), phosphomolybdenum, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging assays. For both essential oils, the total antioxidant capacities ranged from 44 to 68 µg/g AAE, the IC50 values for H2O2 scavenging activity were between 87 and 242 µg/mL, whereas that for DPPH assay were between 322 and 599 µg/mL. The IC50 for the TBARS assay for both essential oils also ranged from 247 to 414 µg/mL. The antimicrobial activities of the essential oils were investigated using the broth dilution assay. The minimum inhibition concentration for the essential oils ranged from 12.5 to 50 mg/mL. Biofilm inhibitory activity was also evaluated for both essential oils, and the fruit essential oil showed a half-maximal inhibition of biofilm formation (BIC50) at 44.40 ± 0.6 mg/mL, whereas the BIC50 value of the leaf essential oil was 109.1 ± 0.9 mg/mL. The fruit essential oil was superior to the leaf essential oil in inhibiting the secretion of pyoverdine. Molecular docking analyses suggested that methyl cinnamate, ethyl cinnamate, p-menth-4-en-3-one, trans-α-ionone, benzyl benzoate, isobutyl cinnamate, and folic acid likely interacted with LasR and algC proteins, and hence, contributed to the inhibition of biofilm formation and pyoverdine secretion. Essential oils from Vitex doniana could, therefore, be exploited as a natural source of radical scavenging and antimicrobial agents and could be useful in the pharmaceutical, food, and cosmetic industries.
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Biswas S, Mita MA, Afrose S, Hasan MR, Islam MT, Rahman MA, Ara MJ, Chowdhury MBA, Meem HN, Mamunuzzaman M, Ahammad T, Ashik IU, Ibrahim MM, Imam MT, Hossain MA, Saleh MA. Integrated Computational Approaches for Inhibiting Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin in Male Infertility by Screening Potent Phytochemicals. Life (Basel) 2023; 13:476. [PMID: 36836833 PMCID: PMC9966787 DOI: 10.3390/life13020476] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2022] [Revised: 01/01/2023] [Accepted: 01/18/2023] [Indexed: 02/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Male infertility is significantly influenced by the plasma-protein sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG). Male infertility, erectile dysfunction, prostate cancer, and several other male reproductive system diseases are all caused by reduced testosterone bioavailability due to its binding to SHBG. In this study, we have identified 345 phytochemicals from 200 literature reviews that potentially inhibit severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2. Only a few studies have been done using the SARS-CoV-2 inhibitors to identify the SHBG inhibitor, which is thought to be the main protein responsible for male infertility. In virtual-screening and molecular-docking experiments, cryptomisrine, dorsilurin E, and isoiguesterin were identified as potential SHBG inhibitors with binding affinities of -9.2, -9.0, and -8.8 kcal/mol, respectively. They were also found to have higher binding affinities than the control drug anastrozole (-7.0 kcal/mol). In addition to favorable pharmacological properties, these top three phytochemicals showed no adverse effects in pharmacokinetic evaluations. Several molecular dynamics simulation profiles' root-mean-square deviation, radius of gyration, root-mean-square fluctuation, hydrogen bonds, and solvent-accessible surface area supported the top three protein-ligand complexes' better firmness and stability than the control drug throughout the 100 ns simulation period. These combinatorial drug-design approaches indicate that these three phytochemicals could be developed as potential drugs to treat male infertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suvro Biswas
- Miocrobiology Laboratory, Department of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, University of Rajshahi, Rajshahi 6205, Bangladesh
| | - Mohasana Akter Mita
- Department of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, University of Rajshahi, Rajshahi 6205, Bangladesh
| | - Shamima Afrose
- Department of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, University of Rajshahi, Rajshahi 6205, Bangladesh
| | - Md. Robiul Hasan
- Department of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, University of Rajshahi, Rajshahi 6205, Bangladesh
| | - Md. Tarikul Islam
- Department of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, University of Rajshahi, Rajshahi 6205, Bangladesh
| | - Md. Ashiqur Rahman
- Department of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, University of Rajshahi, Rajshahi 6205, Bangladesh
| | - Mst. Jasmin Ara
- Department of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, University of Rajshahi, Rajshahi 6205, Bangladesh
| | | | - Habibatun Naher Meem
- Department of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, University of Rajshahi, Rajshahi 6205, Bangladesh
| | - Md. Mamunuzzaman
- Department of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, University of Rajshahi, Rajshahi 6205, Bangladesh
| | - Tanvir Ahammad
- Department of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, University of Rajshahi, Rajshahi 6205, Bangladesh
| | - Istiaq Uddin Ashik
- Department of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, University of Rajshahi, Rajshahi 6205, Bangladesh
| | - Munjed M. Ibrahim
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah 21955, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohammad Tarique Imam
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Prince Sattam Bin Abdul Aziz University, Al Kharj, Pin 11942, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohammad Akbar Hossain
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine in Al-Qunfudah, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah 28814, Saudi Arabia
| | - Md. Abu Saleh
- Miocrobiology Laboratory, Department of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, University of Rajshahi, Rajshahi 6205, Bangladesh
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Asiamah I, Obiri SA, Tamekloe W, Armah FA, Borquaye LS. Applications of Molecular Docking in Natural Products-Based Drug Discovery. SCIENTIFIC AFRICAN 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.sciaf.2023.e01593] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/24/2023] Open
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11
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Boakye A, Gasu EN, Mensah JO, Borquaye LS. Computational studies on potential small molecule inhibitors of Leishmania pteridine reductase 1. J Biomol Struct Dyn 2023; 41:12128-12141. [PMID: 36632757 DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2023.2166119] [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: 09/08/2022] [Accepted: 01/01/2023] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Leishmaniasis is a neglected tropical disease of major public health concern. Challenges with current therapeutics have led to the exploration of plant medicine for potential antileishmanial agents. Despite the promising activity of some antileishmanial natural products, their protein targets have not been explored. The relevance of folate metabolism in the Leishmania parasite's existence presents crucial targets for the development of antileishmanial chemotherapy. Pteridine reductase 1 (PTR1), a crucial enzyme involved in DNA biosynthesis, is a validated target of the Leishmania parasite. Unearthing inhibitors of this enzyme is therefore an active research area. The goal of this work is to unearth small molecule inhibitors of PTR1 using molecular docking and molecular dynamic simulations. Thus, the interactions between selected antileishmanial natural products and PTR1 were examined. The binding affinities obtained from molecular docking ranged from -6.2 to -9.8 kcal/mol. When compared to the natural PTR1 substrate biopterin, compounds such as anonaine, chimanine D, corynantheine, grifolin, licochalcone A, piperogalin and xylopine produced better binding affinities, making interactions catalytic residues - Tyr194, Asp181, Phe113, Arg17 and Ser111. The PTR1- xylopine, -piperogalin, -grifolin, and -licochalcone A complexes exhibited remarkable stability under dynamic conditions during the entire 200 ns simulation period. The overall binding free energy of grifolin, piperogalin, and licochalcone A were observed to be -105.711, -103.567, and -105.646 kJ/mol respectively. The binding of these complexes was observed to be favorable and spontaneous and as such capable of inhibiting Leishmania PTR1. They could therefore be considered as candidates in the development of antileishmanial chemotherapy.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aaron Boakye
- Department of Chemistry, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Edward Ntim Gasu
- Department of Chemistry, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
- Central Laboratory, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
| | | | - Lawrence Sheringham Borquaye
- Department of Chemistry, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
- Central Laboratory, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
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12
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Trivedi A, Ahmad R, Siddiqui S, Misra A, Khan MA, Srivastava A, Ahamad T, Khan MF, Siddiqi Z, Afrin G, Gupta A, Upadhyay S, Husain I, Ahmad B, Mehrotra S, Kant S. Prophylactic and therapeutic potential of selected immunomodulatory agents from Ayurveda against coronaviruses amidst the current formidable scenario: an in silico analysis. J Biomol Struct Dyn 2022; 40:9648-9700. [PMID: 34243689 DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2021.1932601] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
There is currently a dearth of specific therapies to treat respiratory infections caused by the three related species of coronaviruses viz. SARS-CoV-2, SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV. Prevention from disease is currently the safest and most convenient alternative available. The present study aimed to evaluate the preventive and therapeutic effect of fifteen phytoconstituents from medicinal plants of Ayurveda against coronaviruses by in silico screening. All the phytoconstituents exhibited rapid GI absorption and bioavailability and most of them had no toxicity versus reference drug chloroquine. BAS analyses revealed that most of the phytocomponents had favorable bioactivity scores towards biological target proteins. Principal component analysis revealed that most of the phytoconstituents fell close to chloroquine in 3D projection of chemical space. Affinity of phytoconstituents towards SARS-CoV-2 spike protein-human ACE2 complex decreased as isomeldenin > tinosporaside > EGCG whereas in case of unbound ACE2, the strength of binding followed the order isomeldenin > tinosporaside > ellagic acid. Towards SARS-CoV-2 main and papain-like proteases, the affinity decreased as isomeldenin > EGCG > tinosporaside and EGCG > tinosporaside > isomeldenin, respectively. Most phytoconstituents displayed significant binding kinetics to the selected protein targets than chloroquine. SAR analysis revealed that isomeldenin, tinosporaside, EGCG and ellagic acid bind to viral spike glycoproteins via H-bond, Pi-Pi, Pi-sigma and Pi-alkyl type interactions. Molecular dynamics simulation of isomeldenin and EGCG with SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2 spike glycoproteins exhibited low deviations throughout the 100 ns simulation indicating good stability and compactness of the protein-ligand complexes. Thus, the above four phytoconstituents have the potential to emerge as prophylactic and therapeutic agents against coronaviruses if investigated further in vitro and in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anchal Trivedi
- Department of Biochemistry, Era's Lucknow Medical College and Hospital, Era University, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Rumana Ahmad
- Department of Biochemistry, Era's Lucknow Medical College and Hospital, Era University, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Sahabjada Siddiqui
- Department of Biotechnology, Era's Lucknow Medical College and Hospital, Era University, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Aparna Misra
- Department of Biochemistry, Era's Lucknow Medical College and Hospital, Era University, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | | | - Aditi Srivastava
- Department of Biochemistry, Era's Lucknow Medical College and Hospital, Era University, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Tanveer Ahamad
- Department of Biotechnology, Era's Lucknow Medical College and Hospital, Era University, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Mohd Faheem Khan
- Department of Biotechnology, Era's Lucknow Medical College and Hospital, Era University, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Zeba Siddiqi
- Department of Medicine, Era's Lucknow Medical College and Hospital, Era University, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Gazala Afrin
- Department of Biochemistry, Era's Lucknow Medical College and Hospital, Era University, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Anamika Gupta
- Department of Biochemistry, Era's Lucknow Medical College and Hospital, Era University, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Shivbrat Upadhyay
- Department of Biotechnology, Era's Lucknow Medical College and Hospital, Era University, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Ishrat Husain
- Department of Biochemistry, Era's Lucknow Medical College and Hospital, Era University, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Bilal Ahmad
- Research Cell, Era's Lucknow Medical College and Hospital, Era University, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Sudhir Mehrotra
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Lucknow, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Surya Kant
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, King George's Medical University, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India
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13
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Aboagye CI, Ampomah GB, Mensah JO, Mensah CN, Nartey D, Gasu EN, Borquaye LS. N-Benzylimidazoles as Potential Antimicrobial and Antibiofilm Agents – Syntheses, Bioactivity and Molecular Docking Studies. SCIENTIFIC AFRICAN 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.sciaf.2022.e01529] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
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14
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Discovering new potential inhibitors to SARS-CoV-2 RNA dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) using high throughput virtual screening and molecular dynamics simulations. Sci Rep 2022; 12:19986. [PMID: 36411383 PMCID: PMC9676757 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-24695-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2021] [Accepted: 03/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
RNA dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp), is an essential in the RNA replication within the life cycle of the severely acute respiratory coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), causing the deadly respiratory induced sickness COVID-19. Remdesivir is a prodrug that has seen some success in inhibiting this enzyme, however there is still the pressing need for effective alternatives. In this study, we present the discovery of four non-nucleoside small molecules that bind favorably to SARS-CoV-2 RdRp over the active form of the popular drug remdesivir (RTP) and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) by utilizing high-throughput virtual screening (HTVS) against the vast ZINC compound database coupled with extensive molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. After post-trajectory analysis, we found that the simulations of complexes containing both ATP and RTP remained stable for the duration of their trajectories. Additionally, it was revealed that the phosphate tail of RTP was stabilized by both the positive amino acid pocket and magnesium ions near the entry channel of RdRp which includes residues K551, R553, R555 and K621. It was also found that residues D623, D760, and N691 further stabilized the ribose portion of RTP with U10 on the template RNA strand forming hydrogen pairs with the adenosine motif. Using these models of RdRp, we employed them to screen the ZINC database of ~ 17 million molecules. Using docking and drug properties scoring, we narrowed down our selection to fourteen candidates. These were subjected to 200 ns simulations each underwent free energy calculations. We identified four hit compounds from the ZINC database that have similar binding poses to RTP while possessing lower overall binding free energies, with ZINC097971592 having a binding free energy two times lower than RTP.
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15
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In vitro antileishmanial activity and molecular docking studies of lupeol and monostearin, isolated from Parkia biglobosa. SCIENTIFIC AFRICAN 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.sciaf.2022.e01464] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
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16
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Dey R, Samadder A, Nandi S. Exploring the Targets of Novel Corona Virus and Docking-based Screening of Potential Natural Inhibitors to Combat COVID-19. Curr Top Med Chem 2022; 22:2410-2434. [PMID: 36281864 DOI: 10.2174/1568026623666221020163831] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2022] [Revised: 09/07/2022] [Accepted: 09/21/2022] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
There is a need to explore natural compounds against COVID-19 due to their multitargeted actions against various targets of nCoV. They act on multiple sites rather than single targets against several diseases. Thus, there is a possibility that natural resources can be repurposed to combat COVID-19. However, the biochemical mechanisms of these inhibitors were not known. To reveal the mode of anti-nCoV action, structure-based docking plays a major role. The present study is an attempt to explore various potential targets of SARS-CoV-2 and the structure-based screening of various potential natural inhibitors to combat the novel coronavirus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rishita Dey
- Department of Zoology, Cytogenetics and Molecular Biology Lab., University of Kalyani, Kalyani, Nadia, 741235, India.,Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Global Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (Affiliated to Uttarakhand Technical University), Kashipur, 244713, India
| | - Asmita Samadder
- Department of Zoology, Cytogenetics and Molecular Biology Lab., University of Kalyani, Kalyani, Nadia, 741235, India
| | - Sisir Nandi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Global Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (Affiliated to Uttarakhand Technical University), Kashipur, 244713, India
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17
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A Review on Herbal Secondary Metabolites Against COVID-19 Focusing on the Genetic Variants of SARS-CoV-2. Jundishapur J Nat Pharm Prod 2022. [DOI: 10.5812/jjnpp-129618] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Context: An outbreak of the new coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) was reported in Wuhan, China, in December 2019, subsequently affecting countries worldwide and causing a pandemic. Although several vaccines, such as mRNA vaccines, inactivated vaccines, and adenovirus vaccines, have been licensed in several countries, the danger of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) variants persists. To date, Alpha (B.1.1.7), Beta (B.1.351, B.1.351.2, B.1.351.3), Delta (B.1.617.2, AY.1, AY.2, AY. 3), Gamma (P.1, P.1.1, P.1.2), and Iota (B.1 .526) circulating in the United States, Kappa (B.1.617.1) in India, Lambda (C.37) in Peru and Mu (B.1.621) in Colombia are considered the variants of concern and interest. Evidence Acquisition: Data were collected through the end of August 2021 by searching PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar databases. There were findings from in silico, in vitro cell-based, and non-cell-based investigations. Results: The potential and safety profile of herbal medicines need clarification to scientifically support future recommendations regarding the benefits and risks of their use. Conclusions: Current research results on natural products against SARS-CoV-2 and variants are discussed, and their specific molecular targets and possible mechanisms of action are summarized.
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18
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Essential Oils from the Fruits and Leaves of Spondias mombin Linn.: Chemical Composition, Biological Activity, and Molecular Docking Study. EVIDENCE-BASED COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE 2022; 2022:7211015. [PMID: 36072414 PMCID: PMC9441349 DOI: 10.1155/2022/7211015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2022] [Accepted: 08/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
This work focused on characterizing the chemical constituents and evaluating the antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of the essential oils obtained from the fruit and leaves of Spondias mombin—a flowering plant of the Anacardiaceae family. Essential oils were extracted through steam distillation and characterized by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. For the fruit essential oil, 35 compounds were obtained, and 25 compounds were identified in the leaf essential oil. The dominant compounds present in the fruit essential oil were (E)-ethyl cinnamate (14.06%) and benzyl benzoate (12.27%). Methyl salicylate (13.05%) and heptacosane (12.69%) were the abundant compounds in the leaf essential oil. The antioxidant activity of the essential oils was evaluated via phosphomolybdenum, hydrogen peroxide scavenging, 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging, and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) assays. The total antioxidant capacity of fruit and leaf essential oils was 48.5 ± 0.7 μg/gAAE and 48.5 ± 0.7 μg/g AAE, respectively. The half maximal scavenging concentrations of the essential oils in the hydrogen peroxide; DPPH and TBARS assays ranged from 252.2 μg/mL to 2288 μg/mL. The antimicrobial activity of the essential oils was tested using broth dilution and disc diffusion assays against eight microorganisms. The essential oils exhibited broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity against the microorganisms with minimum inhibitory concentrations of 9.75–50 mg/mL. Also, the zones of inhibition of the oils ranged from 12 mm to 25 mm. The biofilm inhibitory activities of the oils were dose-dependent with BIC50 values of 42.49 ± 0.1 mg/mL and 97.34 ± 0.6 mg/mL for fruit and leaf essential oils, respectively. Molecular docking studies revealed that the antibiofilm action of the fruit and leaf essential oils could be due to inhibition of the quorum sensing protein, LasR. The results suggest a possible application of the oils as antioxidant and antimicrobial agents.
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19
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Gao K, Wang R, Chen J, Cheng L, Frishcosy J, Huzumi Y, Qiu Y, Schluckbier T, Wei X, Wei GW. Methodology-Centered Review of Molecular Modeling, Simulation, and Prediction of SARS-CoV-2. Chem Rev 2022; 122:11287-11368. [PMID: 35594413 PMCID: PMC9159519 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.1c00965] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Despite tremendous efforts in the past two years, our understanding of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), virus-host interactions, immune response, virulence, transmission, and evolution is still very limited. This limitation calls for further in-depth investigation. Computational studies have become an indispensable component in combating coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) due to their low cost, their efficiency, and the fact that they are free from safety and ethical constraints. Additionally, the mechanism that governs the global evolution and transmission of SARS-CoV-2 cannot be revealed from individual experiments and was discovered by integrating genotyping of massive viral sequences, biophysical modeling of protein-protein interactions, deep mutational data, deep learning, and advanced mathematics. There exists a tsunami of literature on the molecular modeling, simulations, and predictions of SARS-CoV-2 and related developments of drugs, vaccines, antibodies, and diagnostics. To provide readers with a quick update about this literature, we present a comprehensive and systematic methodology-centered review. Aspects such as molecular biophysics, bioinformatics, cheminformatics, machine learning, and mathematics are discussed. This review will be beneficial to researchers who are looking for ways to contribute to SARS-CoV-2 studies and those who are interested in the status of the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaifu Gao
- Department
of Mathematics, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan 48824, United States
| | - Rui Wang
- Department
of Mathematics, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan 48824, United States
| | - Jiahui Chen
- Department
of Mathematics, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan 48824, United States
| | - Limei Cheng
- Clinical
Pharmacology and Pharmacometrics, Bristol
Myers Squibb, Princeton, New Jersey 08536, United States
| | - Jaclyn Frishcosy
- Department
of Mathematics, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan 48824, United States
| | - Yuta Huzumi
- Department
of Mathematics, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan 48824, United States
| | - Yuchi Qiu
- Department
of Mathematics, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan 48824, United States
| | - Tom Schluckbier
- Department
of Mathematics, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan 48824, United States
| | - Xiaoqi Wei
- Department
of Mathematics, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan 48824, United States
| | - Guo-Wei Wei
- Department
of Mathematics, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan 48824, United States
- Department
of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan 48824, United States
- Department
of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Michigan
State University, East Lansing, Michigan 48824, United States
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20
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Allosteric Modulation of the Main Protease (MPro) of SARS-CoV-2 by Casticin—Insights from Molecular Dynamics Simulations. CHEMISTRY AFRICA 2022. [PMCID: PMC9261893 DOI: 10.1007/s42250-022-00411-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Inhibition of the main protease (Mpro) of SARS-CoV-2 has been suggested to be vital in shutting down viral replication in a host. Most efforts aimed at inhibiting MPro activity have been channeled into competitive inhibition at the active site, but this strategy will require a high inhibitor concentration and impressive inhibitor-MPro binding affinity. Allosteric inhibition can potentially serve as an effective strategy for alleviating these limitations. In this study, the ability of antiviral natural products to inhibit MPro in an allosteric fashion was explored with in silico techniques. Molecular docking revealed a strong interaction between casticin, an antiviral flavonoid, and Mpro at a site distant from the active site. This site, characterized as a distal site, has been shown to have an interdependent dynamic effect with the active site region. Mpro only, Mpro-peptide (binary) and Mpro-peptide-casticin (ternary) complexes were subjected to molecular dynamics simulations for 50 ns to investigate the modulatory activity of casticin binding on Mpro. Molecular dynamic simulations revealed that binding of casticin at the distal site interferes with the proper orientation of the peptide substrate in the oxyanion hole of the active site, and this could lead to a halt or decrease in catalytic activity. This study therefore highlights casticin as a potential allosteric modulator of the SARS-CoV-2 main protease, which could be optimized and developed into a potential lead compound for anti-SARS-CoV-2 chemotherapy.
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21
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Zheng Z, Xu T, Liu Z, Tian W, Jiang ZH, Zhu GY, Li T, Gao J, Bai LP. Cryptolepine suppresses breast adenocarcinoma via inhibition of HIF-1 mediated glycolysis. Biomed Pharmacother 2022; 153:113319. [PMID: 35753261 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2022.113319] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2022] [Revised: 06/15/2022] [Accepted: 06/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
As a characteristic transcription factor in solid tumors, hypoxia inducible factor-1 (HIF-1) acts as a master regulator in breast cancer progression. Cryptolepine, as a natural alkaloid, noticeably inhibited HIF-1 transcriptional activity and decreased the protein expression of hypoxia-induced HIF-1α in breast cancer cells. Further study showed that cryptolepine blocked HIF-1-mediated glycolysis and suppressed the expression of multiple glycolysis enzymes, resulting in a decrease in ATP production in hypoxic T47D and 4T1 cells. Meanwhile, cryptolepine displayed potent suppressive effect on tumor growth in a dose-dependent manner. In 4T1 tumor xenografts, cryptolepine reduced HIF-1α protein expression, and thus decreased the levels of both lactate acid and ATP productions. The mechanistic study revealed that cryptolepine could effectively suppress the process of HIF-1α mRNA translation rather than transcription, which was attributed to the inhibition on the phosphorylation of eIF4E regulated by both MAPK and mTOR signaling pathways. Collectively, current findings suggested that cryptolepine possesses the potential to treat breast cancers by modulating HIF-1 both in vitro and in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiyuan Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Macau Institute for Applied Research in Medicine and Health, Macau University of Science and Technology, 999078, Macau, People's Republic of China
| | - Ting Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Macau Institute for Applied Research in Medicine and Health, Macau University of Science and Technology, 999078, Macau, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhiyan Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Macau Institute for Applied Research in Medicine and Health, Macau University of Science and Technology, 999078, Macau, People's Republic of China
| | - Wenyue Tian
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Macau Institute for Applied Research in Medicine and Health, Macau University of Science and Technology, 999078, Macau, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhi-Hong Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Macau Institute for Applied Research in Medicine and Health, Macau University of Science and Technology, 999078, Macau, People's Republic of China; Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Joint Laboratory of Respiratory Infectious Disease (Macau University of Science and Technology), 999078, Macau, People's Republic of China
| | - Guo-Yuan Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Macau Institute for Applied Research in Medicine and Health, Macau University of Science and Technology, 999078, Macau, People's Republic of China; Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Joint Laboratory of Respiratory Infectious Disease (Macau University of Science and Technology), 999078, Macau, People's Republic of China
| | - Ting Li
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Macau Institute for Applied Research in Medicine and Health, Macau University of Science and Technology, 999078, Macau, People's Republic of China
| | - Jin Gao
- IncreasePharm (Hengqin) Institute Co., Ltd, Zhu Hai, Guangdong 519031, People's Republic of China
| | - Li-Ping Bai
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Macau Institute for Applied Research in Medicine and Health, Macau University of Science and Technology, 999078, Macau, People's Republic of China; Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Joint Laboratory of Respiratory Infectious Disease (Macau University of Science and Technology), 999078, Macau, People's Republic of China.
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22
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Gyebi GA, Ogunyemi OM, Adefolalu AA, López-Pastor JF, Banegas-Luna AJ, Rodríguez-Martínez A, Pérez-Sánchez H, Adegunloye AP, Ogunro OB, Afolabi SO, Baazeem A, Alotaibi SS, Batiha GES. Antimalarial phytochemicals as potential inhibitors of SARS-CoV-2 guanine N7-methyltransferase (nsp 14): an integrated computational approach. J Biomol Struct Dyn 2022:1-23. [DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2022.2078408] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Gideon A. Gyebi
- Department of Biochemistry, Bingham University, Karu, Nigeria
- Natural Products and Structural (Bio-Chem)-Informatics Research Laboratory (NpsBC-Rl), Bingham University, Karu, Nigeria
| | - Oludare M. Ogunyemi
- Human Nutraceuticals and Bioinformatics Research Unit, Department of Biochemistry, Salem University, Lokoja, Nigeria
| | | | - Juan F. López-Pastor
- Structural Bioinformatics and High-Performance Computing Research Group (BIO-HPC), Computer Engineering Department, Universidad Católica de Murcia (UCAM), Murcia, Spain
| | - Antonio J. Banegas-Luna
- Structural Bioinformatics and High-Performance Computing Research Group (BIO-HPC), Computer Engineering Department, Universidad Católica de Murcia (UCAM), Murcia, Spain
| | - Alejandro Rodríguez-Martínez
- Structural Bioinformatics and High-Performance Computing Research Group (BIO-HPC), Computer Engineering Department, Universidad Católica de Murcia (UCAM), Murcia, Spain
| | - Horacio Pérez-Sánchez
- Structural Bioinformatics and High-Performance Computing Research Group (BIO-HPC), Computer Engineering Department, Universidad Católica de Murcia (UCAM), Murcia, Spain
| | | | - Olalekan B. Ogunro
- Department of Biological Sciences, KolaDaisi University, Ibadan, Nigeria
| | - Saheed O. Afolabi
- Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Nigeria
| | - Alaa Baazeem
- Department of Biology, College of Science, Taif University, Taif, Saudi Arabia
| | - Saqer S. Alotaibi
- Department of Biology, College of Science, Taif University, Taif, Saudi Arabia
| | - Gaber El-Saber Batiha
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Damanhour University, Damanhour, Egypt
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23
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An In Silico Study of the Interactions of Alkaloids from Cryptolepis sanguinolenta with Plasmodium falciparum Dihydrofolate Reductase and Dihydroorotate Dehydrogenase. J CHEM-NY 2022. [DOI: 10.1155/2022/5314179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The Plasmodium falciparum dihydrofolate reductase (PfDHFR) and dihydroorotate dehydrogenase (PfDHODH) are essential for Plasmodium falciparum growth and development, and have been validated as targets for the development of new antimalarial agents. Several alkaloids isolated from Cryptolepis sanguinolenta have been reported to have antiplasmodial activity, but their protein targets are unknown. Therefore, molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations were used to investigate the interactions and stability of the alkaloids with PfDHFR and PfDHODH. Based on physicochemical characteristics, alkaloids were grouped as sterically bulky (sb) or planar (pg). Docking results revealed strong binding affinities (−6.0 to −13.4 kcal/mol) of the alkaloids against PfDHODH and various strains of PfDHFR while interacting with key residues such as Asp54 and Phe58 in PfDHFR. The pg alkaloids had high binding affinity and preference for the inhibitor binding domain over the flavin mononucleotide (FMN) binding domain in PfDHODH due to size considerations. From the molecular dynamics trajectories, protein-alkaloid complexes were stable throughout the simulation, with supporting evidence from root mean square deviations, root mean square fluctuations, radius of gyration, free binding energies, and other parameters. We report herein that biscryptolepine and cryptomisrine (sb class), as well as cryptolepinone, cryptoheptine, cryptolepine, and neocryptolepine (pg class), are capable of inhibiting PfDHFR effectively in pyrimethamine sensitive and resistant cells. Also, our results show that alkaloids of the pg class can inhibit PfDHODH as FMN decoys, as well as direct enzyme inhibitors, thereby halting crucial protein function.
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24
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Ali F, Alom S, Shakya A, Ghosh SK, Singh UP, Bhat HR. Implication of in silico studies in the search for novel inhibitors against SARS-CoV-2. Arch Pharm (Weinheim) 2022; 355:e2100360. [PMID: 35244237 PMCID: PMC9073995 DOI: 10.1002/ardp.202100360] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2021] [Revised: 01/11/2022] [Accepted: 01/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
Corona Virus Disease-19 (COVID-19) is a pandemic disease mainly caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). It had spread from Wuhan, China, in late 2019 and spread over 222 countries and territories all over the world. Earlier, at the very beginning of COVID-19 infection, there were no approved medicines or vaccines for combating this disease, which adversely affected a lot of individuals worldwide. Although frequent mutation leads to the generation of more deadly variants of SARS-CoV-2, researchers have developed several highly effective vaccines that were approved for emergency use by the World Health Organization (WHO), such as mRNA-1273 by Moderna, BNT162b2 by Pfizer/BioNTech, Ad26.COV2.S by Janssen, AZD1222 by Oxford/AstraZeneca, Covishield by the Serum Institute of India, BBIBP-CorV by Sinopharm, coronaVac by Sinovac, and Covaxin by Bharat Biotech, and the first US Food and Drug Administration-approved antiviral drug Veklury (remdesivir) for the treatment of COVID-19. Several waves of COVID-19 have already occurred worldwide, and good-quality vaccines and medicines should be available for ongoing as well as upcoming waves of the pandemic. Therefore, in silico studies have become an excellent tool for identifying possible ligands that could lead to the development of safer medicines or vaccines. Various phytoconstituents from plants and herbs with antiviral properties are studied further to obtain inhibitors of SARS-CoV-2. In silico screening of various molecular databases like PubChem, ZINC, Asinex Biol-Design Library, and so on has been performed extensively for finding effective ligands against targets. Herein, in silico studies carried out by various researchers are summarized so that one can easily find the best molecule for further in vitro and in vivo studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Farak Ali
- Girijananda Chowdhury Institute of Pharmaceutical ScienceTezpur, SonitpurAssamIndia
| | - Shahnaz Alom
- Girijananda Chowdhury Institute of Pharmaceutical ScienceTezpur, SonitpurAssamIndia
| | - Anshul Shakya
- Department of Pharmaceutical SciencesDibrugarh UniversityDibrugarhAssamIndia
| | - Surajit K. Ghosh
- Department of Pharmaceutical SciencesDibrugarh UniversityDibrugarhAssamIndia
| | - Udaya P. Singh
- Drug Design & Discovery Laboratory, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sam Higginbottom University of AgricultureTechnology & SciencesAllahabadUttar PradeshIndia
| | - Hans R. Bhat
- Department of Pharmaceutical SciencesDibrugarh UniversityDibrugarhAssamIndia
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25
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Gonzalez BL, de Oliveira NC, Ritter MR, Tonin FS, Melo EB, Sanches ACC, Fernandez-Llimos F, Petruco MV, de Mello JCP, Chierrito D, de Medeiros Araújo DC. The naturally-derived alkaloids as a potential treatment for COVID-19: A scoping review. Phytother Res 2022; 36:2686-2709. [PMID: 35355337 PMCID: PMC9111026 DOI: 10.1002/ptr.7442] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2021] [Revised: 02/22/2022] [Accepted: 03/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) is caused by Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2), which has a high mortality rate and transmissibility. In this context, medicinal plants have attracted attention due to the wide availability and variety of therapeutic compounds, such as alkaloids, a vast class with several proven pharmacological effects, like the antiviral and anti‐inflammatory activities. Therefore, this scoping review aimed to summarize the current knowledge of the potential applicability of alkaloids for treating COVID‐19. A systematic search was performed on PubMed and Scopus, from database inception to August 2021. Among the 63 eligible studies, 65.07% were in silico model, 20.63% in vitro and 14.28% clinical trials and observational studies. According to the in silico assessments, the alkaloids 10‐hydroxyusambarensine, cryptospirolepine, crambescidin 826, deoxynortryptoquivaline, ergotamine, michellamine B, nigellidine, norboldine and quinadoline B showed higher binding energy with more than two target proteins. The remaining studies showed potential use of berberine, cephaeline, emetine, homoharringtonine, lycorine, narciclasine, quinine, papaverine and colchicine. The possible ability of alkaloids to inhibit protein targets and to reduce inflammatory markers show the potential for development of new treatment strategies against COVID‐19. However, more high quality analyses/reviews in this field are necessary to firmly establish the effectiveness/safety of the alkaloids here described.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Fernanda Stumpf Tonin
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Ciências Farmacêuticas, Universidade Federal do Paraná-UFPR, Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil
| | - Eduardo Borges Melo
- Centro de Ciências Médicas e Farmacêuticas, Universidade Estadual do Oeste do Paraná-UNIOESTE, Cascavel, Paraná, Brazil
| | | | | | | | | | - Danielly Chierrito
- Departamento de Farmácia, Universidade Estadual de Maringá-UEM, Maringá, Paraná, Brazil
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26
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Antonopoulou I, Sapountzaki E, Rova U, Christakopoulos P. Inhibition of the main protease of SARS-CoV-2 (M pro) by repurposing/designing drug-like substances and utilizing nature's toolbox of bioactive compounds. Comput Struct Biotechnol J 2022; 20:1306-1344. [PMID: 35308802 PMCID: PMC8920478 DOI: 10.1016/j.csbj.2022.03.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2021] [Revised: 03/10/2022] [Accepted: 03/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The emergence of the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) has resulted in a long pandemic, with numerous cases and victims worldwide and enormous consequences on social and economic life. Although vaccinations have proceeded and provide a valuable shield against the virus, the approved drugs are limited and it is crucial that further ways to combat infection are developed, that can also act against potential mutations. The main protease (Mpro) of the virus is an appealing target for the development of inhibitors, due to its importance in the viral life cycle and its high conservation among different coronaviruses. Several compounds have shown inhibitory potential against Mpro, both in silico and in vitro, with few of them also having entered clinical trials. These candidates include: known drugs that have been repurposed, molecules specifically designed based on the natural substrate of the protease or on structural moieties that have shown high binding affinity to the protease active site, as well as naturally derived compounds, either isolated or in plant extracts. The aim of this work is to collectively present the results of research regarding Mpro inhibitors to date, focusing on the function of the compounds founded by in silico simulations and further explored by in vitro and in vivo assays. Creating an extended portfolio of promising compounds that may block viral replication by inhibiting Mpro and by understanding involved structure-activity relationships, could provide a basis for the development of effective solutions against SARS-CoV-2 and future related outbreaks.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Ulrika Rova
- Biochemical Process Engineering, Division of Chemical Engineering, Department of Civil, Environmental and Natural Resources Engineering, Luleå University of Technology, SE-97187 Luleå, Sweden
| | - Paul Christakopoulos
- Biochemical Process Engineering, Division of Chemical Engineering, Department of Civil, Environmental and Natural Resources Engineering, Luleå University of Technology, SE-97187 Luleå, Sweden
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27
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Sadeghi M, Miroliaei M. Inhibitory effects of selected isoquinoline alkaloids against main protease (M pro) of SARS-CoV-2, in silico study. In Silico Pharmacol 2022; 10:5. [PMID: 35310017 PMCID: PMC8918422 DOI: 10.1007/s40203-022-00122-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2021] [Accepted: 02/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has become a global threat. Despite the production of various vaccines and different treatments, finding natural compounds to control COVID-19 is still a challenging task. Isoquinoline alkaloids are naturally occurring compounds known to have some potential antiviral activity. In this study, ten abundant isoquinoline alkaloids with antiviral activity were selected to analyze the preventive effect on COVID-19. A scrutinized evaluation based on Lipinski's rule showed that one out of ten compounds was toxic. Based on molecular docking analysis using Autodock software one of the best molecules with maximum negative binding energy was selected for further analysis. The Gromacs simulation analysis revealed that Coptisine has more action against active site Mpro of COVID-19. Overall, to make a rational design of various preventive analogues that inhibit the COVID-19, associated in vitro and in vivo analyses are needed to confirm this claim.
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Affiliation(s)
- Morteza Sadeghi
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology and Microbiology, Faculty of Biological Science and Technology, University of Isfahan, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Mehran Miroliaei
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology and Microbiology, Faculty of Biological Science and Technology, University of Isfahan, Isfahan, Iran
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28
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Amissah JN, Alorvor FE, Okorley BA, Asare CM, Osei-Safo D, Appiah-Opong R, Addae-Mensah I. Mineral Fertilization Influences the Growth, Cryptolepine Yield, and Bioefficacy of Cryptolepis sanguinolenta (Lindl.) Schlt. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 11:122. [PMID: 35009125 PMCID: PMC8747327 DOI: 10.3390/plants11010122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2021] [Revised: 11/22/2021] [Accepted: 11/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Cryptolepis sanguinolenta (Lindl.) Schlt., the main source of cryptolepine alkaloid, is intensively exploited in the wild to treat malaria and Lyme disease. In this study, the influence of four inorganic fertilizers (supplying N, P, K, or NPK) and four growth periods (3, 6, 9, and 12 months after transplanting) on the herb's root biomass, cryptolepine content and yield, and biological activities were investigated in a pot and field trial. The results showed the application of N (in the form of Urea or NPK) increased root biomass yield, cryptolepine content, and cryptolepine yield compared to unfertilized plants. The 9-month-old plants recorded the maximum cryptolepine content (2.26 mg/100 mg dry root) and cryptolepine yield (304.08 mg/plant), indicating the perfect time to harvest the herb. Plant age at harvest had a more significant influence (50.6-55.7%) on cryptolepine production than fertilizer application (29.2-33.3%). Cryptolepine extracts from 9- to 12-month-old plants had the highest antiplasmodial activity (IC50 = 2.56-4.65 µg/mL) and drug selectivity index (2.15-3.91) against Plasmodium falciparum Dd2. These extracts were also cytotoxic to Jurkat leukaemia cell lines (CC50 < 62.56 µg/mL), indicating the possible use of cryptolepine for cancer management. Growing the herb in the field increased cryptolepine yield 2.5 times compared to growth in a pot, but this did not influence the antiplasmodial activity of the extract. Commercial cultivation of C. sanguinolenta for 9 months combined with N application could be a promising solution to the sustainable use of this threatened medicinal species.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Forgive Enyonam Alorvor
- Crop Science Department, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra P.O. Box LG 44, GM, Ghana; (F.E.A.); (B.A.O.)
| | - Benjamin Azu Okorley
- Crop Science Department, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra P.O. Box LG 44, GM, Ghana; (F.E.A.); (B.A.O.)
| | - Chris Mpere Asare
- Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Plant Genetic Resources Research Institute (PGRRI), Bunso P.O. Box 7, EE, Ghana;
| | - Dorcas Osei-Safo
- Chemistry Department, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra P.O. Box LG 56, GM, Ghana; (D.O.-S.); (I.A.-M.)
| | - Regina Appiah-Opong
- Department of Clinical Pathology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra P.O. Box LG 581, GM, Ghana;
| | - Ivan Addae-Mensah
- Chemistry Department, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra P.O. Box LG 56, GM, Ghana; (D.O.-S.); (I.A.-M.)
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29
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Pouresmaieli M, Ekrami E, Akbari A, Noorbakhsh N, Moghadam NB, Mamoudifard M. A comprehensive review on efficient approaches for combating coronaviruses. Biomed Pharmacother 2021; 144:112353. [PMID: 34794240 PMCID: PMC8531103 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2021.112353] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2021] [Revised: 10/14/2021] [Accepted: 10/19/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Almost 80% of people confronting COVID-19 recover from COVID-19 disease without any particular treatments. They experience heterogeneous symptoms; a wide range of respiratory symptoms, cough, dyspnea, fever, and viral pneumonia. However, some others need urgent intervention and special treatment to get rid of this widespread disease. So far, there isn't any unique drug for the potential treatment of COVID 19. However, some available therapeutic drugs used for other diseases seem beneficial for the COVID-19 treatment. On the other hand, there is a robust global concern for developing an efficient COVID-19 vaccine to control the COVID-19 pandemic sustainably. According to the WHO report, since 8 October 2021, 320 vaccines have been in progress. 194 vaccines are in the pre-clinical development stage that 126 of them are in clinical progression. Here, in this paper, we have comprehensively reviewed the most recent and updated information about coronavirus and its mutations, all the potential therapeutic approaches for treating COVID-19, developed diagnostic systems for COVID- 19 and the available COVID-19 vaccines and their mechanism of action.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mahdi Pouresmaieli
- Department of Industrial and Environmental Biotechnology, National Institute for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (NIGEB), Tehran, Iran,Faculty of Mining, Petroleum and Geophysics, Shahrood University of Technology, Shahrood, Iran
| | - Elena Ekrami
- Department of Industrial and Environmental Biotechnology, National Institute for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (NIGEB), Tehran, Iran
| | - Ali Akbari
- Department of Industrial and Environmental Biotechnology, National Institute for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (NIGEB), Tehran, Iran,Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Kharazmi University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Negin Noorbakhsh
- Department of Industrial and Environmental Biotechnology, National Institute for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (NIGEB), Tehran, Iran,Faculty of Medical Science and Technologies, Islamic Azad University Science and Research, Tehran, Iran
| | - Negin Borzooee Moghadam
- Department of Industrial and Environmental Biotechnology, National Institute for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (NIGEB), Tehran, Iran
| | - Matin Mamoudifard
- Department of Industrial and Environmental Biotechnology, National Institute for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (NIGEB), Tehran, Iran.
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30
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Chowdhury S, Kanrar K, Bhuiya S, Das S. The alkaloid cryptolepine as a source of polyadenylate targeting therapeutic agent: Induction of self-assembly in the polyadenylate moiety. Arch Biochem Biophys 2021; 712:109042. [PMID: 34562470 DOI: 10.1016/j.abb.2021.109042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2021] [Revised: 09/04/2021] [Accepted: 09/20/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
RNAs have become a well-known target for chemotherapeutic agents in the recent years. The tails of most eukaryotic m-RNA are characterized by the presence of a long polyadenylate sequence which plays an important role in its growth and maturation. This lays emphasis on development of molecular probes that target the polyadenylate sequence. Cryptolepine (hereafter, CRP) is an indoloquinoline alkaloid well known for its anti-malarial activities. A series of spectroscopic experiments namely absorption studies, fluorimetric studies and circular dichroism studies show that cryptolepine binds with single-stranded polyriboadenylic acid (hereafter, ss-poly (rA)) with a binding constant of ∼5 × 103 M-1 at 25 °C. Moreover thermal denaturation experiments show that the bound form of polyriboadenylic acid shows a characteristic transition profile. Such a profile is indicative of the ability of cryptolepine to induce self-assembly in the polyriboadenylic acid sequence on binding to it. Such ability of CRP to modulate the structural conformation of poly (rA), which in turn may cause functional aspects of the RNA to change, may give us a chance to develop effective alkaloid based chemotherapeutic agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susmita Chowdhury
- Biophysical Chemistry Laboratory, Physical Chemistry Section, Department of Chemistry, Jadavpur University, 188, Raja S. C. Mallick Road, Kolkata, 700032, India
| | - Kasturi Kanrar
- Biophysical Chemistry Laboratory, Physical Chemistry Section, Department of Chemistry, Jadavpur University, 188, Raja S. C. Mallick Road, Kolkata, 700032, India
| | - Sutanwi Bhuiya
- Biophysical Chemistry Laboratory, Physical Chemistry Section, Department of Chemistry, Jadavpur University, 188, Raja S. C. Mallick Road, Kolkata, 700032, India
| | - Suman Das
- Biophysical Chemistry Laboratory, Physical Chemistry Section, Department of Chemistry, Jadavpur University, 188, Raja S. C. Mallick Road, Kolkata, 700032, India.
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31
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Saied EM, El-Maradny YA, Osman AA, Darwish AMG, Abo Nahas HH, Niedbała G, Piekutowska M, Abdel-Rahman MA, Balbool BA, Abdel-Azeem AM. A Comprehensive Review about the Molecular Structure of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2): Insights into Natural Products against COVID-19. Pharmaceutics 2021; 13:1759. [PMID: 34834174 PMCID: PMC8624722 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics13111759] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2021] [Revised: 10/06/2021] [Accepted: 10/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
In 2019, the world suffered from the emergence of COVID-19 infection, one of the most difficult pandemics in recent history. Millions of confirmed deaths from this pandemic have been reported worldwide. This disaster was caused by SARS-CoV-2, which is the last discovered member of the family of Coronaviridae. Various studies have shown that natural compounds have effective antiviral properties against coronaviruses by inhibiting multiple viral targets, including spike proteins and viral enzymes. This review presents the classification and a detailed explanation of the SARS-CoV-2 molecular characteristics and structure-function relationships. We present all currently available crystal structures of different SARS-CoV-2 proteins and emphasized on the crystal structure of different virus proteins and the binding modes of their ligands. This review also discusses the various therapeutic approaches for COVID-19 treatment and available vaccinations. In addition, we highlight and compare the existing data about natural compounds extracted from algae, fungi, plants, and scorpion venom that were used as antiviral agents against SARS-CoV-2 infection. Moreover, we discuss the repurposing of select approved therapeutic agents that have been used in the treatment of other viruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Essa M. Saied
- Chemistry Department, Faculty of Science, Suez Canal University, Ismailia 41522, Egypt
- Institute for Chemistry, Humboldt Universität zu Berlin, Brook-Taylor-Str. 2, 12489 Berlin, Germany
| | - Yousra A. El-Maradny
- Microbiology Department, High Institute of Public Health, Alexandria University, Alexandria 21526, Egypt;
| | - Alaa A. Osman
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, New Giza University, Newgiza, km 22 Cairo-Alexandria Desert Road, Cairo 12256, Egypt;
| | - Amira M. G. Darwish
- Food Technology Department, Arid Lands Cultivation Research Institute (ALCRI), City of Scientific Research and Technological Applications (SRTA City), Alexandria 21934, Egypt;
| | - Hebatallah H. Abo Nahas
- Zoology Department, Faculty of Science, Suez Canal University, Ismailia 41522, Egypt; (H.H.A.N.); (M.A.A.-R.)
| | - Gniewko Niedbała
- Department of Biosystems Engineering, Faculty of Environmental and Mechanical Engineering, Poznań University of Life Sciences, Wojska Polskiego 50, 60-627 Poznań, Poland;
| | - Magdalena Piekutowska
- Department of Geoecology and Geoinformation, Institute of Biology and Earth Sciences, Pomeranian University in Słupsk, Partyzantów 27, 76-200 Słupsk, Poland;
| | - Mohamed A. Abdel-Rahman
- Zoology Department, Faculty of Science, Suez Canal University, Ismailia 41522, Egypt; (H.H.A.N.); (M.A.A.-R.)
| | - Bassem A. Balbool
- Faculty of Biotechnology, October University for Modern Sciences and Arts, Giza 12585, Egypt;
| | - Ahmed M. Abdel-Azeem
- Botany and Microbiology Department, Faculty of Science, Suez Canal University, Ismailia 41522, Egypt
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32
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Gyebi GA, Elfiky AA, Ogunyemi OM, Ibrahim IM, Adegunloye AP, Adebayo JO, Olaiya CO, Ocheje JO, Fabusiwa MM. Structure-based virtual screening suggests inhibitors of 3-Chymotrypsin-Like Protease of SARS-CoV-2 from Vernonia amygdalina and Occinum gratissimum. Comput Biol Med 2021; 136:104671. [PMID: 34332348 PMCID: PMC8294106 DOI: 10.1016/j.compbiomed.2021.104671] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2021] [Revised: 07/12/2021] [Accepted: 07/17/2021] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Antiviral culinary plants are potential bioresources for preventive nutraceuticals and/or antiviral drugs in COVID-19. Structure-based virtual screening was undertaken to screen 173 compounds previously reported from Vernonia amygdalina and Occinum gratissimum for direct interaction with the active site of the 3-Chymotrypsin-Like Protease (3CLpro) of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Based on docking scores and comparison with reference inhibitors, a hit-list of 10 top phytocompounds was defined, which also had strong interactions with the catalytic centre of 3CLpro from three related strains of coronavirus (SARS-CoV, MERS-CoV, HKU4). Among these, six compounds (neoandrographolide, vernolide, isorhamnetin, chicoric acid, luteolin, and myricetin) exhibited the highest binding tendencies to the equilibrated conformers of SARS-CoV-2 3CLpro in an in-depth docking analysis to 5 different representative conformations from the cluster analysis of the molecular dynamics simulation (MDS) trajectories of the protein. In silico drug-likeness analyses revealed two drug-like terpenoids viz: neoandrographolide and vernolide as promising inhibitors of SARS-CoV-2 3CLpro. These structures were accommodated within the substrate-binding pocket; and interacted with the catalytic dyad (Cys145 and His41), the oxyanion loop (residues 138-145), and the S1/S2 sub-sites of the enzyme active site through the formation of an array of hydrogen bonds and hydrophobic interactions. Molecular dynamics simulation and binding free energy calculation revealed that the terpenoid-enzyme complexes exhibit strong interactions and structural stability. Therefore, these compounds may stabilize the conformation of the flexible oxyanion loop; and thereby interfere with the tetrahedral oxyanion intermediate formation during the proteolytic activity of the enzyme.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gideon A Gyebi
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science and Technology, Bingham University, Karu, Nasarawa, Nigeria
| | - Abdo A Elfiky
- Department of Biophysics, Faculty of Sciences, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt.
| | - Oludare M Ogunyemi
- Human Nutraceuticals and Bioinformatics Research Unit, Department of Biochemistry, Salem University, Nigeria.
| | - Ibrahim M Ibrahim
- Department of Biophysics, Faculty of Sciences, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt
| | - Adegbenro P Adegunloye
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Nigeria
| | - Joseph O Adebayo
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Nigeria
| | - Charles O Olaiya
- Nutritional and Industrial Biochemistry Research Unit, Department of Biochemistry, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, 200005, Nigeria
| | - Joshua O Ocheje
- Human Nutraceuticals and Bioinformatics Research Unit, Department of Biochemistry, Salem University, Nigeria
| | - Modupe M Fabusiwa
- Human Nutraceuticals and Bioinformatics Research Unit, Department of Biochemistry, Salem University, Nigeria
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33
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Abstract
Thus far, in 2021, 219 countries with over 175 million people have been infected by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). SARS-CoV-2 is a positive sense, single-stranded RNA virus, and is the causal agent for coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Due to the urgency of the situation, virtual screening as a computational modeling method offers a fast and effective modality of identifying drugs that may be effective against SARS-CoV-2. There has been an overwhelming abundance of molecular docking against SARS-CoV-2 in the last year. Due to the massive volume of computational studies, this systematic review has been created to evaluate and summarize the findings of existing studies. Herein, we report on computational articles of drugs which target, (1) viral protease, (2) Spike protein-ACE 2 interaction, (3) RNA-dependent RNA polymerase, and (4) other proteins and nonstructural proteins of SARS-CoV-2. Based on the studies presented, there are 55 identified natural or drug compounds with potential anti-viral activity. The next step is to show anti-viral activity in vitro and translation to determine effectiveness into human clinical trials.
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34
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Daley SK, Cordell GA. Alkaloids in Contemporary Drug Discovery to Meet Global Disease Needs. Molecules 2021; 26:molecules26133800. [PMID: 34206470 PMCID: PMC8270272 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26133800] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2021] [Revised: 06/05/2021] [Accepted: 06/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
An overview is presented of the well-established role of alkaloids in drug discovery, the application of more sustainable chemicals, and biological approaches, and the implementation of information systems to address the current challenges faced in meeting global disease needs. The necessity for a new international paradigm for natural product discovery and development for the treatment of multidrug resistant organisms, and rare and neglected tropical diseases in the era of the Fourth Industrial Revolution and the Quintuple Helix is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Geoffrey A. Cordell
- Natural Products Inc., Evanston, IL 60202, USA;
- Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
- Correspondence:
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35
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Majnooni MB, Fakhri S, Bahrami G, Naseri M, Farzaei MH, Echeverría J. Alkaloids as Potential Phytochemicals against SARS-CoV-2: Approaches to the Associated Pivotal Mechanisms. EVIDENCE-BASED COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE : ECAM 2021; 2021:6632623. [PMID: 34104202 PMCID: PMC8159655 DOI: 10.1155/2021/6632623] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2020] [Accepted: 05/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Since its inception, the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has infected millions of people around the world. Therefore, it is necessary to find effective treatments against Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), as it is the viral source of COVID-19. Alkaloids are one of the most widespread plant-derived natural compounds with prominent antiviral effects. Accordingly, these phytochemicals have been promising candidates towards discovering effective treatments for COVID-19. Alkaloids have shown potential anti-SARS-CoV activities via inhibiting pathogenesis-associated targets of the Coronaviridae family that are required for the virus life cycle. In the current study, the chemistry, plant sources, and antiviral effects of alkaloids, as well as their anti-SARS-CoV-2 effect with related mechanisms, are reviewed towards discovering an effective treatment against COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sajad Fakhri
- Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Center, Health Institute, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran
| | - Gholamreza Bahrami
- Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Center, Health Institute, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran
- Medical Biology Research Center, Health Technology Institute, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran
| | - Maryam Naseri
- Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Center, Health Institute, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran
| | - Mohammad Hosein Farzaei
- Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Center, Health Institute, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran
| | - Javier Echeverría
- Departamento de Ciencias del Ambiente, Facultad de Química y Biología, Universidad de Santiago de Chile, Santiago, Chile
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Chakravarti R, Singh R, Ghosh A, Dey D, Sharma P, Velayutham R, Roy S, Ghosh D. A review on potential of natural products in the management of COVID-19. RSC Adv 2021; 11:16711-16735. [PMID: 35479175 PMCID: PMC9031656 DOI: 10.1039/d1ra00644d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2021] [Accepted: 03/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
At the end of 2019, a life threatening viral infection (COVID-19) caused by a novel coronavirus, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) was reported. This virus has spread worldwide in a short duration and forced the world to face unprecedented life and economic loss. To date, there are no known specific drugs to combat this virus and the process for new drug development is lengthy. Most promising candidates, which emerged as potential leads, were abandoned in the later phases of clinical trials. Repurposing of already approved drugs for other therapeutic applications can be done only after extensive testing for safety and efficacy. With no definite therapeutics in the horizon, natural products are in extensive use arbitrarily as anti-viral agents and immune boosters. For ages it has been known that most natural products possess potent anti-viral activity and it is no different for SARS-CoV-2. It has been shown that natural products display inhibitory effects on MERS-CoV and SARS-CoV infections. In silico studies have shown that various natural products have strong binding affinity for and inhibitory action on the non-structural proteins of the virus, namely PLPRO, MPRO, and RdRp, and structural proteins such as spike (S) protein. Since the virus utilizes the transmembrane ACE2 receptor of the host cell, it also proves to be a valid target for drug development. In this review promising targets for drug development against SARS-CoV-2 and anti-viral activities of some of the known natural products are discussed. In this review promising targets for drug development against SARS-CoV-2 and anti-viral activities of some of the known natural products (including plant secondary metabolites) are discussed.![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Rudra Chakravarti
- Department of Natural Products, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research-Kolkata India
| | - Rajveer Singh
- Department of Natural Products, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research-Kolkata India
| | - Arijit Ghosh
- Department of Chemistry, University of Calcutta Kolkata India
| | - Dhritiman Dey
- Department of Natural Products, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research-Kolkata India
| | - Priyanka Sharma
- Department of Natural Products, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research-Kolkata India
| | - Ravichandiran Velayutham
- Department of Natural Products, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research-Kolkata India
| | - Syamal Roy
- CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Biology Jadavpur Kolkata India
| | - Dipanjan Ghosh
- Department of Natural Products, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research-Kolkata India
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Attah AF, Fagbemi AA, Olubiyi O, Dada-Adegbola H, Oluwadotun A, Elujoba A, Babalola CP. Therapeutic Potentials of Antiviral Plants Used in Traditional African Medicine With COVID-19 in Focus: A Nigerian Perspective. Front Pharmacol 2021; 12:596855. [PMID: 33981214 PMCID: PMC8108136 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.596855] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2020] [Accepted: 01/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is caused by an infectious novel strain of coronavirus known as severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) which was earlier referred to as 2019-nCoV. The respiratory disease is the most consequential global public health crisis of the 21st century whose level of negative impact increasingly experienced globally has not been recorded since World War II. Up till now, there has been no specific globally authorized antiviral drug, vaccines, supplement or herbal remedy available for the treatment of this lethal disease except preventive measures, supportive care and non-specific treatment options adopted in different countries via divergent approaches to halt the pandemic. However, many of these interventions have been documented to show some level of success particularly the Traditional Chinese Medicine while there is paucity of well reported studies on the impact of the widely embraced Traditional African Medicines (TAM) adopted so far for the prevention, management and treatment of COVID-19. We carried out a detailed review of publicly available data, information and claims on the potentials of indigenous plants used in Sub-Saharan Africa as antiviral remedies with potentials for the prevention and management of COVID-19. In this review, we have provided a holistic report on evidence-based antiviral and promising anti-SARS-CoV-2 properties of African medicinal plants based on in silico evidence, in vitro assays and in vivo experiments alongside the available data on their mechanistic pharmacology. In addition, we have unveiled knowledge gaps, provided an update on the effort of African Scientific community toward demystifying the dreadful SARS-CoV-2 micro-enemy of man and have documented popular anti-COVID-19 herbal claims emanating from the continent for the management of COVID-19 while the risk potentials of herb-drug interaction of antiviral phytomedicines when used in combination with orthodox drugs have also been highlighted. This review exercise may lend enough credence to the potential value of African medicinal plants as possible leads in anti-COVID-19 drug discovery through research and development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alfred Francis Attah
- Department of Pharmacognosy and Drug Development, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Nigeria
| | - Adeshola Adebayo Fagbemi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria
| | - Olujide Olubiyi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria
- Institute of Biological Information Processing, Structural Biochemistry (IBI-7), Forschungszentrum Jülich, Jülich, Germany
| | - Hannah Dada-Adegbola
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria
| | | | - Anthony Elujoba
- Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria
| | - Chinedum Peace Babalola
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria
- Centre for Drug Discovery, Development and Production, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria
- College of Basic Medical Sciences, Chrisland University, Abeokuta, Nigeria
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Romeo I, Mesiti F, Lupia A, Alcaro S. Current Updates on Naturally Occurring Compounds Recognizing SARS-CoV-2 Druggable Targets. Molecules 2021; 26:632. [PMID: 33530467 PMCID: PMC7865633 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26030632] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2020] [Revised: 01/20/2021] [Accepted: 01/21/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has been identified in China as the etiologic agent of the recent COVID-19 pandemic outbreak. Due to its high transmissibility, this virus quickly spread throughout the world, causing considerable health issues. The scientific community exerted noteworthy efforts to obtain therapeutic solutions for COVID-19, and new scientific networks were constituted. No certified drugs to efficiently inhibit the virus were identified, and the development of de-novo medicines requires approximately ten years of research. Therefore, the repurposing of natural products could be an effective strategy to handle SARS-CoV-2 infection. This review aims to update on current status of the natural occurring compounds recognizing SARS-CoV-2 druggable targets. Among the clinical trials actually recruited, some natural compounds are ongoing to examine their potential role to prevent and to treat the COVID-19 infection. Many natural scaffolds, including alkaloids, terpenes, flavonoids, and benzoquinones, were investigated by in-silico, in-vitro, and in-vivo approaches. Despite the large data set obtained by a computational approach, experimental evidences in most cases are not available. To fill this gap, further efforts to validate these results are required. We believe that an accurate investigation of naturally occurring compounds may provide insights for the potential treatment of COVID-19 patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabella Romeo
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Salute, Università “Magna Græcia” di Catanzaro, Campus “S. Venuta”, Viale Europa, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy;
- Net4Science Academic Spin-Off, Università “Magna Græcia” di Catanzaro, Campus “S. Venuta”, Viale Europa, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy; (F.M.); (A.L.)
| | - Francesco Mesiti
- Net4Science Academic Spin-Off, Università “Magna Græcia” di Catanzaro, Campus “S. Venuta”, Viale Europa, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy; (F.M.); (A.L.)
| | - Antonio Lupia
- Net4Science Academic Spin-Off, Università “Magna Græcia” di Catanzaro, Campus “S. Venuta”, Viale Europa, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy; (F.M.); (A.L.)
| | - Stefano Alcaro
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Salute, Università “Magna Græcia” di Catanzaro, Campus “S. Venuta”, Viale Europa, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy;
- Net4Science Academic Spin-Off, Università “Magna Græcia” di Catanzaro, Campus “S. Venuta”, Viale Europa, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy; (F.M.); (A.L.)
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Vougogiannopoulou K, Corona A, Tramontano E, Alexis MN, Skaltsounis AL. Natural and Nature-Derived Products Targeting Human Coronaviruses. Molecules 2021; 26:448. [PMID: 33467029 PMCID: PMC7831024 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26020448] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2020] [Revised: 01/12/2021] [Accepted: 01/13/2021] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
The ongoing pandemic of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), caused by the SARS-CoV-2 human coronavirus (HCoV), has brought the international scientific community before a state of emergency that needs to be addressed with intensive research for the discovery of pharmacological agents with antiviral activity. Potential antiviral natural products (NPs) have been discovered from plants of the global biodiversity, including extracts, compounds and categories of compounds with activity against several viruses of the respiratory tract such as HCoVs. However, the scarcity of natural products (NPs) and small-molecules (SMs) used as antiviral agents, especially for HCoVs, is notable. This is a review of 203 publications, which were selected using PubMed/MEDLINE, Web of Science, Scopus, and Google Scholar, evaluates the available literature since the discovery of the first human coronavirus in the 1960s; it summarizes important aspects of structure, function, and therapeutic targeting of HCoVs as well as NPs (19 total plant extracts and 204 isolated or semi-synthesized pure compounds) with anti-HCoV activity targeting viral and non-viral proteins, while focusing on the advances on the discovery of NPs with anti-SARS-CoV-2 activity, and providing a critical perspective.
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Affiliation(s)
- Konstantina Vougogiannopoulou
- Department of Pharmacognosy and Natural Products Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Panepistimiopolis Zografou, 15771 Athens, Greece;
| | - Angela Corona
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Cagliari, Biomedical Section, Laboratory of Molecular Virology, E block, Cittadella Universitaria di Monserrato, SS55409042 Monserrato, Italy; (A.C.); (E.T.)
| | - Enzo Tramontano
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Cagliari, Biomedical Section, Laboratory of Molecular Virology, E block, Cittadella Universitaria di Monserrato, SS55409042 Monserrato, Italy; (A.C.); (E.T.)
| | - Michael N. Alexis
- Molecular Endocrinology Team, Inst of Chemical Biology, National Hellenic Research Foundation (NHRF), 48 Vassileos Constantinou Ave., 11635 Athens, Greece;
| | - Alexios-Leandros Skaltsounis
- Department of Pharmacognosy and Natural Products Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Panepistimiopolis Zografou, 15771 Athens, Greece;
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Nagoor Meeran M, Seenipandi A, Javed H, Sharma C, Hashiesh HM, Goyal SN, Jha NK, Ojha S. Can limonene be a possible candidate for evaluation as an agent or adjuvant against infection, immunity, and inflammation in COVID-19? Heliyon 2021; 7:e05703. [PMID: 33490659 PMCID: PMC7810623 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2020.e05703] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2019] [Revised: 09/16/2020] [Accepted: 12/08/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) caused by novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is an ongoing pandemic and presents a public health emergency. It has affected millions of people and continues to affect more, despite the tremendous social preventive measures. The therapeutic strategy relies on suppressing infectivity and inflammation, along with immune modulation. The identification of candidate drugs effective for COVID-19 is crucial, thus many natural products including phytochemicals are also being proposed for repurposing and evaluated for their potential in COVID-19. Among numerous phytochemicals, limonene (LMN), a dietary terpene of natural origin has been recently showed to target viral proteins in the in-silico studies. LMN is one of the main compounds identified in many citrus plants, available and accessible in diets and well-studied for its therapeutic benefits. Due to dietary nature, relative safety and efficacy along with favorable physicochemical properties, LMN has been suggested to be a fascinating candidate for further investigation in COVID-19. LMN showed to modulate numerous signaling pathways and inhibits inflammatory mediators, including cytokines, chemokines, adhesion molecules, prostanoids, and eicosanoids. We hypothesized that given the pathogenesis of COVID-19 involving infection, inflammation, and immunity, LMN may have potential to limit the severity and progression of the disease owing to its immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, and antiviral properties. The present article discusses the possibilities of LMN in SARS-CoV-2 infections based on its immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, and antiviral properties. Though, the suggestion on the possible use of LMN in COVID-19 remains inconclusive until the in-silico effects confirmed in the experimental studies and further proof of the concept studies. The candidature of LMN in COVID-19 treatment somewhat appear speculative but cannot be overlooked provided favorable physiochemical and druggable properties. The safety and efficacy of LMN are necessary to be established in preclinical and clinical studies before making suggestions for use in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- M.F. Nagoor Meeran
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, PO Box - 17666, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates
| | - A. Seenipandi
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, PO Box - 17666, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates
| | - Hayate Javed
- Department of Anatomy, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, PO Box - 17666, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates
| | - Charu Sharma
- Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, PO Box - 17666, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates
| | - Hebaallah Mamdouh Hashiesh
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, PO Box - 17666, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates
| | - Sameer N. Goyal
- Shri Vile Parle Kelvani Mandal's Institute of Pharmacy, Dhule 424001, Maharashtra, India
| | - Niraj Kumar Jha
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Engineering & Technology, Sharda University, Knowledge Park III, Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh 201310, India
| | - Shreesh Ojha
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, PO Box - 17666, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates
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