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Tom AA, Rajendran V, Thottasseri AA, Goswami K, Roy S, Gopan G, Mani M, Kannan T. Antiplasmodial action of 4-nitrobenzenesulfonamide chalcones: Design, synthesis, characterisation, in vitro and in silico evaluation against blood stages of Plasmodium falciparum 3D7. Drug Dev Res 2024; 85:e22233. [PMID: 39030842 DOI: 10.1002/ddr.22233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2024] [Revised: 06/13/2024] [Accepted: 06/29/2024] [Indexed: 07/22/2024]
Abstract
Malaria is an intracellular protozoan parasitic disease caused by Plasmodium species with significant morbidity and mortality in endemic regions. The complex lifecycle of the parasite and the emergence of drug-resistant Plasmodium falciparum have hampered the efficacy of current anti-malarial agents. To circumvent this situation, the present study attempts to demonstrate the blood-stage anti-plasmodial action of 26 hybrid compounds containing the three privileged bioactive scaffolds (sulfonamide, chalcone, and nitro group) with synergistic and multitarget action. These three parent scaffolds exhibit divergent activities, such as antibacterial, anti-malarial, anti-fungal, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer. All the synthesised compounds were characterised using various spectroscopic techniques. The in vitro blood-stage inhibitory activity of 26 hybrid compounds was evaluated against mixed-stage culture (asynchronize) of human malarial parasite P. falciparum, Pf 3D7 at different concentrations ranging from 25.0 µg/mL to 0.78 µg/mL using SYBR 1 green assay, with IC50 values determined after 48 h of treatment based on the drug-response curves. Two potent compounds (11 and 10), with 2-Br and 2,6-diCl substitutions, showed pronounced activity with IC50 values of 5.4 µg/mL and 5.6 µg/mL, whereas others displayed varied activity with IC50 values ranging from 7.0 µg/mL to 22.0 µg/mL. Both 11 and 10 showed greater susceptibility towards mature-stage trophozoites than ring-stage parasites. The hemolytic and in vitro cytotoxicity assays revealed that compounds 11 and 10 did not cause any toxic effects on host red blood cells (uninfected), human-derived Mo7e cells, and murine-derived BA/F3 cells. The in vitro observations are consistent with the in silico studies using P. falciparum-dihydrofolate reductase, where 11 and 10 showed a binding affinity of -10.4 Kcal/mol. This is the first report of the hybrid scaffold, 4-nitrobenzenesulfonamide chalcones, demonstrating its potential as an anti-plasmodial agent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anju Agnes Tom
- Department of Chemistry, Pondicherry University, Puducherry, India
| | - Vinoth Rajendran
- Department of Microbiology, Pondicherry University, Puducherry, India
| | | | - Koustav Goswami
- Department of Chemistry, Pondicherry University, Puducherry, India
| | - Souvik Roy
- Department of Chemistry, Pondicherry University, Puducherry, India
| | - Gopika Gopan
- Department of Microbiology, Pondicherry University, Puducherry, India
| | - Maheswaran Mani
- Department of Microbiology, Pondicherry University, Puducherry, India
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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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Faloye KO, Tripathi MK, Adesida SA, Oguntimehin SA, Oyetunde YM, Adewole AH, Ogunlowo II, Idowu EA, Olayemi UI, Dosumu OD. Antimalarial potential, LC-MS secondary metabolite profiling and computational studies of Zingiber officinale. J Biomol Struct Dyn 2024; 42:2570-2585. [PMID: 37116195 DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2023.2205949] [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: 10/25/2022] [Accepted: 04/17/2023] [Indexed: 04/30/2023]
Abstract
Malaria is among the top-ranked parasitic diseases that pose a threat to the existence of the human race. This study evaluated the antimalarial effect of the rhizome of Zingiber officinale in infected mice, performed secondary metabolite profiling and detailed computational antimalarial evaluation through molecular docking, molecular dynamics (MD) simulation and density functional theory methods. The antimalarial potential of Z. officinale was performed using the in vivo chemosuppressive model; secondary metabolite profiling was carried out using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS). Molecular docking was performed with Autodock Vina while the MD simulation was performed with Schrodinger desmond suite for 100 ns and DFT calculations with B3LYP (6-31G) basis set. The extract showed 64% parasitaemia suppression, with a dose-dependent increase in activity up to 200 mg/kg. The chemical profiling of the extract tentatively identified eight phytochemicals. The molecular docking studies with plasmepsin II and Plasmodium falciparum dihydrofolate reductase-thymidylate synthase (PfDHFR-TS) identified gingerenone A as the hit molecule, and MMGBSA values corroborate the binding energies obtained. The electronic parameters of gingerenone A revealed its significant antimalarial potential. The antimalarial activity elicited by the extract of Z. officinale and the bioactive chemical constituent supports its usage in ethnomedicine.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kolade O Faloye
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria
| | - Manish K Tripathi
- Pharmaceutical Chemistry Research Laboratory, Department of Pharmaceutical Engineering & Technology, Indian Institute of Technology (Banaras Hindu University), Varanasi, India
| | - Stephen A Adesida
- Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria
| | - Samuel A Oguntimehin
- Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria
| | - Yemisi M Oyetunde
- Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria
| | - Adetola H Adewole
- Department of Chemistry, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Ifeoluwa I Ogunlowo
- Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria
| | - Esther A Idowu
- Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria
| | - Uduak I Olayemi
- Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria
| | - Olamide D Dosumu
- Department of Botany, Faculty of Science, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria
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Amengor CDK, Biniyam PD, Brobbey AA, Kekessie FK, Zoiku FK, Hamidu S, Gyan P, Abudey BM. N-Substituted Phenylhydrazones Kill the Ring Stage of Plasmodium falciparum. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2024; 2024:6697728. [PMID: 38380127 PMCID: PMC10878751 DOI: 10.1155/2024/6697728] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2023] [Revised: 01/11/2024] [Accepted: 01/18/2024] [Indexed: 02/22/2024]
Abstract
Antimalarial resistance has hampered the effective treatment of malaria, a parasitic disease caused by Plasmodium species. As part of our campaign on phenotypic screening of phenylhydrazones, a library of six phenylhydrazones was reconstructed and evaluated for their in vitro antimalarial and in silico receptor binding and pharmacokinetic properties. The structures of the phenylhydrazone hybrids were largely confirmed using nuclear magnetic resonance techniques. We identified two compounds which exhibited significant antimalarial potential against the ring stage (trophozoite) of 3D7 chloroquine-sensitive (CS) strain and DD2 chloroquine-resistant (CR) strains of Plasmodium falciparum with monosubstituted analogs bearing meta or para electron-donating groups showing significant activity in the single-digit micromolar range. Structure activity relationship is presented showing that electron-donating groups on the substituent hydrophobic pharmacophore are required for antimalarial activity. Compounds PHN6 and PHN3 were found to be the most potent with pIC50s (calculated form in vitro IC50s) of 5.37 and 5.18 against 3D7 CS and DD2 CR strains, respectively. Our selected ligands (PHN3 and PHN6) performed better when compared to chloroquine regarding binding affinity and molecular stability with the regulatory proteins of Plasmodium falciparum, hence predicted to be largely responsible for their in vitro activity. Pharmacokinetic prediction demonstrated that the phenylhydrazones may not cross the blood-brain barrier and are not P-glycoprotein (P-gp) substrates, a good absorption of 62% to 69%, and classified as a category IV compound based on toxicity grading.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Prince Danan Biniyam
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, University of Health and Allied Sciences, Ho, Ghana
| | - Abena Amponsaa Brobbey
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Francis Klenam Kekessie
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg Campus, 118 College Drive, Hattiesburg, USA
| | - Felix Kwame Zoiku
- Department of Epidemiology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, P.O. Box LG 581, Legon, Accra, Ghana
| | - Sherif Hamidu
- Department of Clinical Pathology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, P.O. Box LG 581, Legon, Accra, Ghana
| | - Patrick Gyan
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, University of Health and Allied Sciences, Ho, Ghana
| | - Billy Mawunyo Abudey
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, University of Health and Allied Sciences, Ho, Ghana
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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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Ahmed MA, Ameyaw EO, Armah FA, Fynn PM, Asiamah I, Ghartey-Kwansah G, Zoiku FK, Ofori-Attah E, Adokoh CK. Alkaloidal Extracts from Avicennia africana P. Beauv. (Avicenniaceae) Leaf: An Antiplasmodial, Antioxidant, and Erythrocyte Viable. Adv Pharmacol Pharm Sci 2024; 2024:4541581. [PMID: 38235482 PMCID: PMC10791479 DOI: 10.1155/2024/4541581] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2023] [Revised: 12/19/2023] [Accepted: 12/23/2023] [Indexed: 01/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Background The emergence of drug-resistant parasites impedes disease management and eradication efforts. Hence, a reinvigorated attempt to search for potent lead compounds in the mangroves is imperative. Aim This study evaluates in vitro antiplasmodial activity, antioxidant properties, and cytotoxicity of A. africana leaf alkaloidal extracts. Methods The A. africana leaves were macerated with 70% ethanol to obtain a total crude extract. Dichloromethane and chloroform-isopropanol (3 : 1, v/v) were used to extract the crude alkaloids and quaternary alkaloids from the total crude. The antiplasmodial activities of the alkaloidal extracts were performed against 3D7 P. falciparum chloroquine-sensitive clone via the SYBR Green I fluorescence assay with artesunate serving as the reference drug. The alkaloidal extracts were further evaluated for antioxidant properties via the total antioxidant capacity (TAC), the total glutathione concentration (GSH), the DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) assay, and the ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) methods. The cytotoxic activity of the alkaloidal extracts was tested on erythrocytes using a 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide-MTT assay with little modification. The phytocompounds in the alkaloidal extracts were identified via gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) techniques. Results The total crude extract showed good antiplasmodial activity (IC50 = 11.890 µg/mL). The crude and quaternary alkaloidal extracts demonstrated promising antiplasmodial effects with IC50 values of 6.217 and 6.285 µg/mL, respectively. The total crude and alkaloidal extracts showed good antioxidant properties with negligible cytotoxicity on erythrocytes with good selectivity indices. The GC-MS spectral analysis of crude alkaloidal extracts gave indole and isoquinoline alkaloids and several other compounds. Dexrazoxane was found to be the main compound predicted, with an 86% peak area in the quaternary alkaloidal extract. Conclusion The crude and quaternary alkaloidal extracts exhibited antiplasmodial activities and ability to inhibit oxidative stress with negligible toxicity on erythrocytes. This may be good characteristics to avoid oxidative stress related to Plasmodium infection in the treatment of malaria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mustapha A. Ahmed
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Allied Health Sciences, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana
- Small Animal Teaching Hospital, SVM, CBAS, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana
| | - Elvis O. Ameyaw
- Department of Pharmacotherapeutics and Pharmacy Practice, School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana
| | - Francis A. Armah
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Allied Health Sciences, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana
| | - Patrick M. Fynn
- Department of Chemistry, School of Physical Sciences, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana
| | - Isaac Asiamah
- Department of Chemistry, School of Physical Sciences, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana
| | - George Ghartey-Kwansah
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Allied Health Sciences, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana
| | - Felix K. Zoiku
- Department of Epidemiology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana
| | - Ebenezer Ofori-Attah
- Department of Clinical Pathology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana
| | - Christian K. Adokoh
- Department of Forensic Sciences, School of Biological Science, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana
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Lima Costa AH, Bezerra KS, de Lima Neto JX, Oliveira JIN, Galvão DS, Fulco UL. Deciphering Interactions between Potential Inhibitors and the Plasmodium falciparum DHODH Enzyme: A Computational Perspective. J Phys Chem B 2023; 127:9461-9475. [PMID: 37897437 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.3c05738] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/30/2023]
Abstract
Malaria is a parasitic disease that, in its most severe form, can even lead to death. Insect-resistant vectors, insufficiently effective vaccines, and drugs that cannot stop parasitic infestations are making the fight against the disease increasingly difficult. It is known that the enzyme dihydroorotate dehydrogenase (DHODH) is of paramount importance for the synthesis of pyrimidine from the Plasmodium precursor, that is, for its growth and reproduction. Therefore, its blockade can lead to disruption of the parasite's life cycle in the vertebrate host. In this scenario, PfDHODH inhibitors have been considered candidates for a new therapy to stop the parasitic energy source. Given what is known, in this work, we applied molecular fractionation with conjugated caps (MFCC) in the framework of the quantum formalism of density functional theory (DFT) to evaluate the energies of the interactions between the enzyme and the different triazolopyrimidines (DSM483, DMS557, and DSM1), including a complex carrying the mutation C276F. From these results, it was possible to identify the main features of each system, focusing on the wild-type and mutant PfDHODH and examining the major amino acid residues that are part of the four complexes. Our analysis provides new information that can be used to develop new drugs that could prove to be more effective alternatives to present antimalarial drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aranthya Hevelly Lima Costa
- Departamento de Biofísica e Farmacologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, 59072-970 Natal-RN, Brazil
| | - Katyanna Sales Bezerra
- Departamento de Biofísica e Farmacologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, 59072-970 Natal-RN, Brazil
- Applied Physics Department, University of Campinas, 130838-59 Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - José Xavier de Lima Neto
- Departamento de Biofísica e Farmacologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, 59072-970 Natal-RN, Brazil
| | - Jonas Ivan Nobre Oliveira
- Departamento de Biofísica e Farmacologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, 59072-970 Natal-RN, Brazil
| | - Douglas Soares Galvão
- Applied Physics Department, University of Campinas, 130838-59 Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Umberto Laino Fulco
- Departamento de Biofísica e Farmacologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, 59072-970 Natal-RN, Brazil
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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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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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Mensah JO, Boakye A, Manu P, Nketia PB, Gasu EN, Asiamah I, Borquaye LS. Computational Studies Provide a Molecular Basis for the Quorum Sensing Inhibitory Action of Compounds from
Dioon spinulosum
Dyer Ex Eichler. ChemistrySelect 2023. [DOI: 10.1002/slct.202203773] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Aaron Boakye
- Department of Chemistry Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology Kumasi Ghana
| | - Prince Manu
- Department of Chemistry Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology Kumasi Ghana
| | - Prisca Baah Nketia
- 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
| | - Isaac Asiamah
- Department of Chemistry University of Cape Coast Cape Coast 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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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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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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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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