In Silico Design of Dual-Binding Site Anti-Cholinesterase Phytochemical Heterodimers as Treatment Options for Alzheimer’s Disease

Synthesis of quercetin derivatives as cytotoxic against breast cancer MCF-7 cell line in vitro and in silico studies

Background: Quercetin being antioxidant and antiproliferative agent acts by inhibiting CDK2, with an increase in cancer prevalence there is a need to profile quercetin derivatives as CDK2 inhibitors.Materials & method: Schiff bases of quercetin were synthesized as cytotoxic agents against the MCF7 cell line. FTIR, 1H-NMR and 13C-NMR, CHNS/O analysis were employed along with in vivo and in silico activities.Results & conclusion: 2q, 4q, 8q and 9q derivatives have maximum cytotoxic effect with IC50 values 39.7 ± 0.7, 36.65 ± 0.25, 35.49 ± 0.21 and 36.99 ± 0.45, respectively. Molecular docking also confirmed these results 8q has the highest binding potential of -9.165 KJ/mole making it a potent inhibitor of CDK2. These derivatives can be used as lead compounds as potent CDK2 inhibitors.

Neuroprotection by Anethum graveolens (Dill) Seeds and Its Phytocompounds in SH-SY5Y Neuroblastoma Cell Lines and Acellular Assays

Neurodegeneration diseases (NDs) are a group of complex diseases primarily characterized by progressive loss of neurons affecting mental function and movement. Oxidative stress is one of the factors contributing to the pathogenesis of NDs, including Alzheimer's disease (AD). These reactive species disturb mitochondrial function and accelerate other undesirable conditions including tau phosphorylation, inflammation, and cell death. Therefore, preventing oxidative stress is one of the imperative methods in the treatment of NDs. To accomplish this, we prepared hexane and ethyl acetate extracts of Anethum graveolens (dill) and identified the major phyto-components (apiol, carvone, and dihydrocarvone) by GC-MS. The extracts and major bioactives were assessed for neuroprotective potential and mechanism in hydrogen peroxide-induced oxidative stress in the SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cell model and other biochemical assays. The dill (extracts and bioactives) provided statistically significant neuroprotection from 0.1 to 30 µg/mL by mitigating ROS levels, restoring mitochondrial membrane potential, reducing lipid peroxidation, and reviving the glutathione ratio. They moderately inhibited acetylcholine esterase (IC50 dill extracts 400-500 µg/mL; carvone 275.7 µg/mL; apiole 388.3 µg/mL), displayed mild anti-Aβ1-42 fibrilization (DHC 26.6%) and good anti-oligomerization activity (>40% by dill-EA, carvone, and apiole). Such multifactorial neuroprotective displayed by dill and bioactives would help develop a safe, low-cost, and small-molecule drug for NDs.

A theoretical screening of phytochemical constituents from Millettia brandisiana as inhibitors against acetylcholinesterase

Alzheimer's disease is one of the causes associated with the early stages of dementia. Nowadays, the main treatment available is to inhibit the actions of the acetylcholinesterase (AChE) enzyme, which has been identified as responsible for the disease. In this study, computational methods were used to examine the structure and therapeutic ability of chemical compounds extracted from Millettia brandisiana natural products against AChE. This plant is commonly known as a traditional medicine in Vietnam and Thailand for the treatment of several diseases. Furthermore, machine learning helped us narrow down the choice of 85 substances for further studies by molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations to gain deeper insights into the interactions between inhibitors and disease proteins. Of the five top-choice substances, γ-dimethylallyloxy-5,7,2,5-tetramethoxyisoflavone emerges as a promising substance due to its large free binding energy to AChE and the high thermodynamic stability of the resulting complex.

Chemical composition and antioxidant, enzyme inhibition and cytoprotective activity of two Antarctic lichens of the genus Psoroma (Pannariaceae)

Lichens contain different types of chemical compounds with multiple biological activities that demonstrate their potential pharmacological use. This research aims to report the metabolomic identification of the ethanolic extracts of P. antarcticum and P. hypnorum, their antioxidant, enzyme inhibitory, and their cytoprotection activity. Sixteen metabolites were identified in P. antarcticum and twelve in P. hypnorum; the extracts reported variable antioxidant activity with IC50 >350 µg/mL in DPPH·, values >18 µmol Trolox/g in ORAC and >40 µmol Trolox/g in FRAP and a phenolic compound content >10 mg GAE/g, as well as significant results in cholinesterases, α-glucosidase, pancreatic lipase, α-amylase, and tyrosinase enzyme inhibition activities with IC50 ranging from 18 to 510 µg/mL, and which were complemented by molecular docking experiments. Both extracts showed improved cytoprotection at the concentrations of 0.5 to 1.0 μg/mL. This study contributes to the knowledge of the chemical diversity of Antarctic lichen extracts and their effectiveness in the evaluation of biological activities related to neurodegenerative diseases and metabolic syndrome.

The Therapeutic Potential of Four Main Compounds of Zanthoxylum nitidum (Roxb.) DC: A Comprehensive Study on Biological Processes, Anti-Inflammatory Effects, and Myocardial Toxicity

Zanthoxylum nitidum (Roxb.) DC. (Z. nitidum) is a traditional Chinese medicinal plant that is indigenous to the southern regions of China. Previous research has provided evidence of the significant anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and anticancer properties exhibited by Z. nitidum. The potential therapeutic effects and cardiac toxicity of Z. nitidum remain uncertain. The aim of this research was to investigate the potential therapeutic properties of the four main compounds of Z. nitidum in cardiovascular diseases, their impact on the electrical activity of cardiomyocytes, and the underlying mechanism of their anti-inflammatory effects. We selected the four compounds from Z. nitidum with a high concentration and specific biological activity: nitidine chloride (NC), chelerythrine chloride (CHE), magnoflorine chloride (MAG), and hesperidin (HE). A proteomic analysis was conducted on the myocardial tissues of beagle dogs following the administration of NC to investigate the role of NC in vivo and the associated biological processes. A bioinformatic analysis was used to predict the in vivo biological processes that MAG, CHE, and HE were involved in. Molecular docking was used to simulate the binding between compounds and their targets. The effect of the compounds on ion channels in cardiomyocytes was evaluated through a patch clamp experiment. Organ-on-a-chip (OOC) technology was developed to mimic the physiological conditions of the heart in vivo. Proteomic and bioinformatic analyses demonstrated that the four compounds of Z. nitidum are extensively involved in various cardiovascular-related biological pathways. The findings from the patch clamp experiments indicate that NC, CHE, MAG, and HE elicit a distinct activation or inhibition of the IK1 and ICa-L in cardiomyocytes. Finally, the anti-inflammatory effects of the compounds on cardiomyocytes were verified using OOC technology. NC, CHE, MAG, and HE demonstrate anti-inflammatory effects through their specific interactions with prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 2 (PTGS2) and significantly influence ion channels in cardiomyocytes. Our study provides a foundation for utilizing NC, CHE, MAG, and HE in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases.

Molecular Docking and Network Pharmacology Interaction Analysis of Gingko Biloba (EGB761) Extract with Dual Target Inhibitory Mechanism in Alzheimer's Disease

BACKGROUND

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common type of neurodegenerative dementia affecting people in their later years of life. The AD prevalence rate has significantly increased due to a lack of early detection technology and low therapeutic efficacy. Despite recent scientific advances, some aspects of AD pathological targets still require special attention. Certain traditionally consumed phytocompounds have been used for thousands of years to treat such pathologies. The standard extract of Gingko biloba (EGB761) is a combination of 13 macro phyto-compounds and various other micro phytocompounds that have shown greater therapeutic potential against the pathology of AD.

OBJECTIVE

Strong physiological evidence of cognitive health preservation has been observed in elderly people who keep an active lifestyle. According to some theories, consuming certain medicinal extracts helps build cognitive reserve. We outline the research employing EGB761 as a dual target for AD.

METHODS

This study investigates various inhibitory targets against AD using computational approaches such as molecular docking, network pharmacology, ADMET (full form), and bioactivity prediction of the selected compounds.

RESULTS

After interaction studies were done for all the phytoconstituents of EGB761, it was concluded that all four of the phytocompounds (kaempferol, isorhamnetin, quercetin, and ginkgotoxin) showed the maximum inhibitory activity against acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and GSK3β.

CONCLUSION

The highly active phytocompounds of EGB761, especially quercetin, kaempferol, and isorhamnetin, have better activity against AChE and GSK3β than its reported synthetic drug, according to molecular docking and network pharmacology research. These compounds may act on multiple targets in the protein network of AD. The AChE theory was primarily responsible for EGB761's therapeutic efficacy in treating AD.

Acetylcholine Esterase Inhibitory Effect, Antimicrobial, Antioxidant, Metabolomic Profiling, and an In Silico Study of Non-Polar Extract of The Halotolerant Marine Fungus Penicillium chrysogenum MZ945518

Major health issues, such as the rise in oxidative stress, incidences of Alzheimer’s disease, and infections caused by antibiotic-resistant microbes, have prompted researchers to look for new therapeutics. Microbial extracts are still a good source of novel compounds for biotechnological use. The objective of the current work was to investigate marine fungal bioactive compounds with potential antibacterial, antioxidant, and acetylcholinesterase inhibitory effects. Penicillium chrysogenum strain MZ945518 was isolated from the Mediterranean Sea in Egypt. The fungus was halotolerant with a salt tolerance index of 1.3. The mycelial extract showed antifungal properties against Fusarium solani with an inhibitory percentage of 77.5 ± 0.3, followed by Rhizoctonia solani and Fusarium oxysporum with percentages of 52 ± 0.0 and 40 ± 0.5, respectively. The extract also showed antibacterial activity against both Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacterial strains using the agar diffusion technique. The fungal extract was significantly more effective with Proteus mirabilis ATCC 29906 and Micrococcus luteus ATCC 9341; inhibition zones recorded 20 and 12 mm, respectively, compared with the antibiotic gentamycin, which recorded 12 and 10 mm, respectively. The antioxidant activity of the fungus extract revealed that it successfully scavenged DPPH free radicals and recorded an IC50 of 542.5 µg/mL. Additionally, it was capable of reducing Fe3+ to Fe2+ and exhibiting chelating ability in the metal ion-chelating test. The fungal extract was identified as a crucial inhibitor of acetylcholinesterase with an inhibition percentage of 63% and an IC50 value of 60.87 µg/mL. Using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC/MS), 20 metabolites were detected. The most prevalent ones were (Z)-18-octadec-9-enolide and 1,2-Benzenedicarboxylic acid, with ratios of 36.28 and 26.73%, respectively. An in silico study using molecular docking demonstrated interactions between the major metabolites and the target proteins, including: DNA Gyrase, glutathione S-transferase, and Acetylcholinesterase, confirming the extract’s antimicrobial and antioxidant activity. Penicillium chrysogenum MZ945518, a halotolerant strain, has promising bioactive compounds with antibacterial, antioxidant, and acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activities

Metabolomic Profiling, Antioxidant and Enzyme Inhibition Properties and Molecular Docking Analysis of Antarctic Lichens

The lichen species Lecania brialmontii, Pseudephebe pubescens, and Sphaerophorus globosus are part of the prominent lichenoflora of the Antarctic territory. In this work, we report the metabolomic identification of ethanolic extracts of these species, their antioxidant and cholinesterase enzyme inhibitory activity, and conduct a molecular docking analysis with typical compounds. Eighteen compounds were identified by UHPLC-ESI-QTOF-MS in L. brialmontii, 18 compounds in P. pubescens, and 14 compounds in S. globosus. The content of phenolic compounds was variable among the species, ranging from 0.279 to 2.821 mg AG/g, and all three species showed high inhibition potential on the cholinesterase enzymes. Molecular docking showed important interactions between AChE and BChE with the selected compounds. This study evidences the chemical fingerprint of three species of the order Lecanorales that support the continuation of the study of other biological activities and their potential for medical research.

A Preliminary Assessment of the Nutraceutical Potential of Acai Berry (Euterpe sp.) as a Potential Natural Treatment for Alzheimer's Disease

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is characterised by progressive neuronal atrophy and the loss of neuronal function as a consequence of multiple pathomechanisms. Current AD treatments primarily operate at a symptomatic level to treat a cholinergic deficiency and can cause side effects. Hence, there is an unmet need for healthier lifestyles to reduce the likelihood of AD as well as improved treatments with fewer adverse reactions. Diets rich in phytochemicals may reduce neurodegenerative risk and limit disease progression. The native South American palm acai berry (Euterpe oleraceae) is a potential source of dietary phytochemicals beneficial to health. This study aimed to screen the nutraceutical potential of the acai berry, in the form of aqueous and ethanolic extracts, for the ability to inhibit acetyl- and butyryl-cholinesterase (ChE) enzymes and scavenge free radicals via 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl-hydrate (DPPH) or 2,2'-azino-bis-3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulphonic acid (ABTS) assays. In addition, this study aimed to quantify the acai berry's antioxidant potential via hydrogen peroxide or hydroxyl scavenging, nitric oxide scavenging, lipid peroxidation inhibition, and the ability to reduce ferric ions. Total polyphenol and flavonoid contents were also determined. Acai aqueous extract displayed a concentration-dependent inhibition of acetyl- and butyryl-cholinesterase enzymes. Both acai extracts displayed useful concentration-dependent free radical scavenging and antioxidant abilities, with the acai ethanolic extract being the most potent antioxidant and displaying the highest phenolic and flavonoid contents. In summary, extracts of the acai berry contain nutraceutical components with anti-cholinesterase and antioxidant capabilities and may therefore provide a beneficial dietary component that limits the pathological deficits evidenced in AD.