Review on the Developments of Benzothiazole-containing Antimicrobial Agents

Donkey Gelatin and Keratin Nanofibers Loaded with Antioxidant Agents for Wound Healing Dressings

Acute and chronic wounds present a significant healthcare challenge, requiring innovative solutions for effective treatment. The exploitation of natural by-products with advanced cell regeneration potential and plant-based materials, which possess bioactive properties, is an innovative topic in wound management. This study investigates the potential of donkey gelatin and keratin for blending with natural bioactive extracts such as sumac, curcumin, and oak acorn to fabricate antioxidant and antimicrobial nanofibers with accelerated wound healing processes. The fabricated nanofibers possess good in vitro biocompatibility, except for the sumac-based donkey nanofibers, where cell viability significantly dropped to 56.25% (p < 0.05 compared to non-treated cells). The nanofiber dimensions showed structural similarities to human extracellular matrix components, providing an ideal microenvironment for tissue regeneration. The donkey nanofiber-based sumac and curcumin extracts presented a higher dissolution in the first 10 min (74% and 72%). Curcumin extract showed similar antimicrobial and antifungal performances to rivanol, while acorn and sumac extracts demonstrated similar values to each other. In vitro tests performed on murine fibroblast cells demonstrated high migration rates of 89% and 85% after 24 h in the case of acorn and curcumin nanofibers, respectively, underscoring the potential of these nanofibers as versatile platforms for advanced wound care applications.

Facile synthesis and in silico studies of benzothiazole-linked hydroxypyrazolones targeting α-amylase and α-glucosidase

Aim: The objective of the present investigation was to design and synthesize new heterocyclic hybrids comprising benzothiazole and indenopyrazolone pharmacophoric units in a single molecular framework targeting α-amylase and α-glucosidase enzymatic inhibition. Materials & methods: 20 new benzothiazole-appended indenopyrazoles, 3a-t, were synthesized in good yields under environment-friendly conditions via cycloaddition reaction, and assessed for antidiabetic activity against α-amylase and α-glucosidase, using acarbose as the standard reference. Results: Among all the hydroxypyrazolones, 3p and 3r showed the best inhibition against α-amylase and α-glucosidase, which finds support from molecular docking and dynamic studies. Conclusion: Compounds 3p and 3r have been identified as promising antidiabetic agents against α-amylase and α-glucosidase and could be considered valuable leads for further optimization of antidiabetic agents.

Benzothiazole-Phthalimide Hybrids as Anti-Breast Cancer and Antimicrobial Agents

The benzothiazole nucleus is a major heterocyclic scaffold whose therapeutic potential has been thoroughly explored due to its structural simplicity and ease of synthesis. In fact, several benzothiazole derivatives have been synthesized over time, demonstrating numerous pharmacological properties such as anticancer, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant activities. Herein, we propose a new series of benzothiazole-phthalimide hybrids obtained by linking the phthalimide moiety to differently substituted benzothiazole nuclei through the N atom. These compounds have been screened for their anticancer properties against two human breast cancer cell lines. Furthermore, we delved into the mechanism of action of the most active hybrid, compound 3h, by assessing its capability to damage the nuclear DNA, trigger the apoptotic process in the high metastatic MDA-MB-231 cells, and prevent cellular migration. Moreover, in view of the documented antimicrobial activities of the two scaffolds involved, we explored the antibacterial and antifungal effects of the studied compounds by means of the broth microdilution method. Among the studied compounds, 3h showed the highest antimicrobial activity, both against gram-positive and gram-negative bacterial strains belonging to the ESKAPE pathogens (Enterococcus faecium, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Enterobacter species) and against fungal strains of the Candida species with MICs values ranging from 16 to 32 µg/mL.

Identifying a New Target for BtOBP8: Discovery of a Small Amino Ketone Molecule Containing Benzothiazole Fragments

Insects rely on odorant-binding proteins (OBPs) for chemical perception, making OBPs a promising target for studying attractants and repellents of pests, such as Bemisia tabaci. However, no reports have reported using B. tabaci OBPs (BtOBPs) as pesticide screening targets. To fill this gap, we obtained BtOBP8 through prokaryotic expression and purification. Then, we confirmed its identity using western blotting and mass spectrometry. Next, we used the sitting drop and hanging drop methods to screen its crystal conditions. Using microscale thermophoresis and isothermal titration calorimetry, we identified the highest affinity ligand, 3l, from 30 compounds. Furthermore, point mutation techniques identified Val119 as a key amino acid residue in binding 31 to BtOBP8. Finally, we tested the bioactivity of B. tabaci Mediterranean and found that 3l more effectively inhibits the bioactivity of B. tabaci MED than imidacloprid. This study presents a new approach for developing green insecticides specific to B. tabaci MED by targeting OBPs. Conclusively, identifying and targeting specific OBPs can create more targeted and effective pest control strategies without relying on toxic chemicals.