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Yamin R, Ahmad I, Khalid H, Perveen A, Abbasi SW, Nishan U, Sheheryar S, Moura AA, Ahmed S, Ullah R, Ali EA, Shah M, Chandra Ojha S. Identifying plant-derived antiviral alkaloids as dual inhibitors of SARS-CoV-2 main protease and spike glycoprotein through computational screening. Front Pharmacol 2024; 15:1369659. [PMID: 39086396 PMCID: PMC11288853 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2024.1369659] [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: 01/15/2024] [Accepted: 06/04/2024] [Indexed: 08/02/2024] Open
Abstract
COVID-19 is currently considered the ninth-deadliest pandemic, spreading through direct or indirect contact with infected individuals. It has imposed a consistent strain on both the financial and healthcare resources of many countries. To address this challenge, there is a pressing need for the development of new potential therapeutic agents for the treatment of this disease. To identify potential antiviral agents as novel dual inhibitors of SARS-CoV-2, we retrieved 404 alkaloids from 12 selected medicinal antiviral plants and virtually screened them against the renowned catalytic sites and favorable interacting residues of two essential proteins of SARS-CoV-2, namely, the main protease and spike glycoprotein. Based on docking scores, 12 metabolites with dual inhibitory potential were subjected to drug-likeness, bioactivity scores, and drug-like ability analyses. These analyses included the ligand-receptor stability and interactions at the potential active sites of target proteins, which were analyzed and confirmed through molecular dynamic simulations of the three lead metabolites. We also conducted a detailed binding free energy analysis of pivotal SARS-CoV-2 protein inhibitors using molecular mechanics techniques to reveal their interaction dynamics and stability. Overall, our results demonstrated that 12 alkaloids, namely, adouetine Y, evodiamide C, ergosine, hayatinine, (+)-homoaromoline, isatithioetherin C, N,alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl vincosamide, pelosine, reserpine, toddalidimerine, toddayanis, and zanthocadinanine, are shortlisted as metabolites based on their interactions with target proteins. All 12 lead metabolites exhibited a higher unbound fraction and therefore greater distribution compared with the standards. Particularly, adouetine Y demonstrated high docking scores but exhibited a nonspontaneous binding profile. In contrast, ergosine and evodiamide C showed favorable binding interactions and superior stability in molecular dynamics simulations. Ergosine demonstrated exceptional performance in several key pharmaceutical metrics. Pharmacokinetic evaluations revealed that ergosine exhibited pronounced bioactivity, good absorption, and optimal bioavailability. Additionally, it was predicted not to cause skin sensitivity and was found to be non-hepatotoxic. Importantly, ergosine and evodiamide C emerged as superior drug candidates for dual inhibition of SARS-CoV-2 due to their strong binding affinity and drug-like ability, comparable to known inhibitors like N3 and molnupiravir. This study is limited by its in silico nature and demands the need for future in vitro and in vivo studies to confirm these findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ramsha Yamin
- Department of Biochemistry, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan, Pakistan
| | - Iqra Ahmad
- Department of Biochemistry, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan, Pakistan
| | - Hira Khalid
- Department of Biochemistry, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan, Pakistan
| | - Asia Perveen
- Department of Biochemistry, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan, Pakistan
| | - Sumra Wajid Abbasi
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Medical Sciences, Rawalpindi, Pakistan
| | - Umar Nishan
- Department of Chemistry, Kohat University of Science & Technology, Kohat, Pakistan
| | - Sheheryar Sheheryar
- Department of Animal Science, Federal University of Ceara, Fortaleza, Brazil
| | | | - Sarfraz Ahmed
- Wellman Centre for Photomedicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Riaz Ullah
- Department of Pharmacognosy, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Essam A. Ali
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohibullah Shah
- Department of Biochemistry, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan, Pakistan
| | - Suvash Chandra Ojha
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
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Almeida AACD, Ferreira JRDO, de Carvalho RBF, Rizzo MDS, Lopes LDS, Dittz D, Castro E Souza JMD, Ferreira PMP. Non-clinical toxicity of (+)-limonene epoxide and its physio-pharmacological properties on neurological disorders. NAUNYN-SCHMIEDEBERG'S ARCHIVES OF PHARMACOLOGY 2020; 393:2301-2314. [PMID: 32653979 DOI: 10.1007/s00210-020-01943-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2020] [Accepted: 07/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The compound (+)-limonene epoxide has antioxidant, anxiolytic, and antihelminthic properties. However, investigations to determine its long-term exposure were not performed. We investigated the systemic toxicological profile after chronic exposure as well as the antidepressant and antiepileptic potentialities of (+)-limonene epoxide on mice. Initially, we evaluated acute toxicity on Artemia salina nauplii and cytotoxicity on mice erythrocytes and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). Aftterwards, mice were chronically treated for 120 days by gavage with (+)-limonene epoxide (25, 50, and 75 mg/kg/day) and this exposure was assessed by pathophysiological measurements. For antidepressant and anticonvulsivant analysis, we performed the forced swimming and tail suspension protocols and pentylenetetrazol- and picrotoxin-induced seizures, respectively. (+)-Limonene epoxide showed a LC50 value of 318.7 μg/mL on A. salina shrimps, caused lysis of red blood cells at higher concentrations only but did not show cytotoxicity on PMBC, which suggests pharmacological safety if plasma concentrations do not exceed 100 μg/mL. Macroscopic, hematological, clinical chemistry, and nutritional changes were not detected, though focal areas of hepatic necrosis, inflammatory infiltrate, and karyolysis have been detected at 75 mg/kg/day. The compound inhibited the developing of pentylenetetrazol- and picrotoxin-induced seizures, decreased deaths, and reduced immobility times, mainly at 75 mg/kg. So, it reversed reserpine effects, suggesting antidepressant effects should be linked to serotonergic and/or adrenergic transmission. It is feasible that (+)-limonene epoxide plays a benzodiazepine-like anticonvulsive action and may be also recommended as an antidote for poisonings caused by central depressants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonia Amanda Cardoso de Almeida
- Postgraduate Program in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Federal University of Piauí, Teresina, 64049-550, Brazil
- Department of Biophysics and Physiology, Laboratory of Experimental Cancerology, Federal University of Piauí, Universitária Avenue, Ininga, Teresina, Piauí, 64049-550, Brazil
| | | | | | | | - Luciano da Silva Lopes
- Postgraduate Program in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Federal University of Piauí, Teresina, 64049-550, Brazil
- Department of Biophysics and Physiology, Laboratory of Experimental Cancerology, Federal University of Piauí, Universitária Avenue, Ininga, Teresina, Piauí, 64049-550, Brazil
| | - Dalton Dittz
- Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, Federal University of Piauí, Teresina, 64049-550, Brazil
| | - João Marcelo de Castro E Souza
- Postgraduate Program in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Federal University of Piauí, Teresina, 64049-550, Brazil
- Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, Federal University of Piauí, Teresina, 64049-550, Brazil
| | - Paulo Michel Pinheiro Ferreira
- Postgraduate Program in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Federal University of Piauí, Teresina, 64049-550, Brazil.
- Department of Biophysics and Physiology, Laboratory of Experimental Cancerology, Federal University of Piauí, Universitária Avenue, Ininga, Teresina, Piauí, 64049-550, Brazil.
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Bastos Záchia NR, Piana M, Dos Santos Siqueira F, da Silva Jesus R, Athayde ML, Essi L, de Campos MMA. Phytochemical analysis and evaluation of antioxidant and antimycobacterial activity of Colletia paradoxa from Brazil. Nat Prod Res 2019; 35:802-806. [PMID: 30990070 DOI: 10.1080/14786419.2019.1598987] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
Colletia paradoxa (Spreng.) Esc. (Rhamnaceae, Colletieae) is a medicinal plant, threatened with extinction in Brazil, presenting great morphological variability. Our objective is to investigate the phytochemical components, antioxidant capacity and antimycobacterial activity of different morphotypes of C. paradoxa in different environments. For this, the crude extract of the leaves and branches of the individuals sampled was used. The elimination capacity of the free radicals was determined by the DPPH method, the antimycobacterial activity by the broth microdilution method and the phenolic content by the spectrophotometric method using the Folin-Ciocalteu reagent and by HPLC. The extracts of C. paradoxa and its morphotypes showed significant amounts of phenolic compounds, including quercetin, quercitrin and rutin, besides considerable antioxidant and antimycobacterial activity No connection was detected between the phytochemical composition and different morphotypes of C. paradoxa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nelci Rolim Bastos Záchia
- Postgraduate Program in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Santa Maria, RS, Brazil
| | - Mariana Piana
- Postgraduate Program in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Santa Maria, RS, Brazil
| | - Fallon Dos Santos Siqueira
- Postgraduate Program in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Santa Maria, RS, Brazil
| | - Roberta da Silva Jesus
- Postgraduate Program in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Santa Maria, RS, Brazil
| | - Margareth Linde Athayde
- Postgraduate Program in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Santa Maria, RS, Brazil
| | - Liliana Essi
- Department of Biology Plant Genetics Laboratory, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Santa Maria, RS, Brazil
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Simões RR, Kraus SI, Rosso R, Bridi A, Casoti R, Dahmer J, Morel AF, Dos Santos ARS, Zanchet EM. Root bark of Discaria americana attenuates pain: A pharmacological evidence of interaction with opioidergic system and TRP/ASIC channels. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2018; 227:258-267. [PMID: 30201229 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2018.09.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2018] [Revised: 09/03/2018] [Accepted: 09/04/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Discaria americana (Rhamnaceae) root bark infusion have been used in traditional medicine as antipyretic, tonic, ameliorative of stomach and skin diseases and diabetes. This study was designed to investigate whether the methanolic extract of the root bark of Discaria americana (MEDa) exhibits antinociceptive effects in mice. Furthermore, it was investigated the involvement of the opioidergic system in MEDa mechanism of action as well the interactions with TRP/ASIC channels in its effect. MATERIALS AND METHODS The antinociceptive effect of intra-gastric gavage (i.g.) of MEDa (0.3-300 mg/kg) was evaluated in mice subjected to acute chemical (acetic-acid, formalin, glutamate, capsaicin, cinnamaldehyde, and acidified saline) or thermal (hot plate) tests of pain. The involvement of opioid system was evaluated in the formalin test. A nonspecific effect of MEDa was observed by measuring locomotor activity and exploratory behavior in open field test. RESULTS MEDa significantly reduced the number of writhing induced by acetic acid and inhibited the nociception in the two phases of formalin. These effects were inhibited by pretreatment with naloxone. The nociception induced by hot plate and intraplantar injection of glutamate, capsaicin, cinnamaldehyde and acidified saline were significantly inhibited by MEDa. Only the dose of 300 mg/kg altered the locomotor activity. CONCLUSIONS Our results demonstrated, for the first time, that the methanolic extract of the root bark of Discaria americana presents antinociceptive effect in chemical and thermal stimuli and its analgesic properties can be due activation of the opioidergic system. These results support the use of Discaria americana in traditional medicine and demonstrate that this plant presents a therapeutic potential for the development of phytomedicines with antinociceptive profile.
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Affiliation(s)
- Róli Rodrigues Simões
- Laboratório de Neurobiologia da Dor e Inflamação, Departamento de Ciências Fisiológicas, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, SC 88040-900, Brazil; Faculdade Tecnológica Nova Palhoça, FATENP, Palhoça, SC, Brazil
| | - Scheila Iria Kraus
- Laboratório de Neurobiologia da Dor e Inflamação, Departamento de Ciências Fisiológicas, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, SC 88040-900, Brazil
| | - Roberta Rosso
- Departamento de Fisiologia e Farmacologia, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Santa Maria, RS 97105-900, Brazil
| | - Alessandra Bridi
- Departamento de Fisiologia e Farmacologia, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Santa Maria, RS 97105-900, Brazil
| | - Rosana Casoti
- Laboratório de Farmacognosia, Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto - Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP 14040-903, Brazil
| | - Janice Dahmer
- Departamento de Química, Centro de Ciências Naturais e Exatas, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Santa Maria, RS 97105-900, Brazil
| | - Ademir Farias Morel
- Departamento de Química, Centro de Ciências Naturais e Exatas, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Santa Maria, RS 97105-900, Brazil
| | - Adair Roberto Soares Dos Santos
- Laboratório de Neurobiologia da Dor e Inflamação, Departamento de Ciências Fisiológicas, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, SC 88040-900, Brazil; Departamento de Fisiologia e Farmacologia, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Santa Maria, RS 97105-900, Brazil
| | - Eliane Maria Zanchet
- Departamento de Fisiologia e Farmacologia, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Santa Maria, RS 97105-900, Brazil.
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