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Yang J, Wang M, Xu Y, Liao J, Li X, Zhou Y, Dai J, Li X, Chen P, Chen G, Cho WJ, Chattipakorn N, Samorodov AV, Pavlov VN, Wang Y, Liang G, Tang Q. Discovery of 4-oxo-N-phenyl-1,4-dihydroquinoline-3-carboxamide derivatives as novel anti-inflammatory agents for the treatment of acute lung injury and sepsis. Eur J Med Chem 2023; 249:115144. [PMID: 36708679 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2023.115144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2022] [Revised: 01/09/2023] [Accepted: 01/19/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Acute lung injury (ALI) and sepsis, characterized by systemic inflammatory response syndrome, remain the major causes of death in severe patients. Inhibiting the release of proinflammatory cytokines is considered to be a promising method for the treatment of inflammation-related diseases. In this study, a total of 28 4-oxo-N-phenyl-1,4-dihydroquinoline-3-carboxamide derivatives were designed and synthesized and their anti-inflammatory activities in J774A.1 were evaluated. Among them, derivative 13a was found to significantly inhibit lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced expression of the proinflammatory cytokines interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) on J774A.1, THP-1 and LX-2 cells, and inhibited the activation of the NF-κB pathway. Furthermore, administration of 13ain vivo significantly improved the symptoms in LPS-induced ALI mice, including alleviation of pathological changes in the lung tissue, reduction of pulmonary edema, and inhibition of macrophage infiltration. Moreover, the administration of 13ain vivo significantly promoted survival in LPS-induced sepsis mice. 13a demonstrated favorable pharmacokinetic properties with T1/2 value of 11.8 h and F value of 36.3%. Therefore, this study has identified a novel 4-oxo-N-phenyl-1,4-dihydroquinoline-3-carboxamide derivative, 13a, which is an effective anti-inflammatory agent. The findings have laid a foundation for the further development of agents to treat ALI and sepsis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Yang
- Chemical Biology Research Center, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325035, Zhejiang, China
| | - Minxiu Wang
- Chemical Biology Research Center, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325035, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yulan Xu
- Chemical Biology Research Center, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325035, Zhejiang, China
| | - Jing Liao
- Chemical Biology Research Center, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325035, Zhejiang, China
| | - Xiang Li
- Chemical Biology Research Center, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325035, Zhejiang, China
| | - Ying Zhou
- Chemical Biology Research Center, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325035, Zhejiang, China
| | - Jintian Dai
- Wenzhou Institute, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wenzhou 325024, Zhejiang, China
| | - Xiaobo Li
- Chemical Biology Research Center, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325035, Zhejiang, China
| | - Pan Chen
- Chemical Biology Research Center, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325035, Zhejiang, China; College of Pharmacy, Chonnam National University, Gwangju, 61186, South Korea
| | - Gaozhi Chen
- Chemical Biology Research Center, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325035, Zhejiang, China
| | - Won-Jea Cho
- College of Pharmacy, Chonnam National University, Gwangju, 61186, South Korea
| | - Nipon Chattipakorn
- Cardiac Electrophysiology Research and Training Center, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
| | - Aleksandr V Samorodov
- Department of Pharmacology, Bashkir State Medical University, Ufa City 450005, Russia
| | - Valentin N Pavlov
- Department of Pharmacology, Bashkir State Medical University, Ufa City 450005, Russia
| | - Yi Wang
- Chemical Biology Research Center, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325035, Zhejiang, China.
| | - Guang Liang
- Chemical Biology Research Center, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325035, Zhejiang, China; Wenzhou Institute, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wenzhou 325024, Zhejiang, China; School of Pharmacy, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou 311399, Zhejiang, China.
| | - Qidong Tang
- Chemical Biology Research Center, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325035, Zhejiang, China; Wenzhou Institute, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wenzhou 325024, Zhejiang, China.
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Mohamed EAR, Abdel-Rahman IM, Zaki MEA, Al-Khdhairawi A, Abdelhamid MM, Alqaisi AM, Rahim LBA, Abu-Hussein B, El-Sheikh AAK, Abdelwahab SF, Hassan HA. In silico prediction of potential inhibitors for SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant using molecular docking and dynamics simulation-based drug repurposing. J Mol Model 2023; 29:70. [PMID: 36808314 PMCID: PMC9939377 DOI: 10.1007/s00894-023-05457-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2022] [Accepted: 01/16/2023] [Indexed: 02/23/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND In November 2021, variant B.1.1.529 of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) was identified by the World Health Organization (WHO) and designated Omicron. Omicron is characterized by a high number of mutations, thirty-two in total, making it more transmissible than the original virus. More than half of those mutations were found in the receptor-binding domain (RBD) that directly interacts with human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2). This study aimed to discover potent drugs against Omicron, which were previously repurposed for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). All repurposed anti-COVID-19 drugs were compiled from previous studies and tested against the RBD of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron. METHODS As a preliminary step, a molecular docking study was performed to investigate the potency of seventy-one compounds from four classes of inhibitors. The molecular characteristics of the best-performing five compounds were predicted by estimating the drug-likeness and drug score. Molecular dynamics simulations (MD) over 100 ns were performed to inspect the relative stability of the best compound within the Omicron receptor-binding site. RESULTS The current findings point out the crucial roles of Q493R, G496S, Q498R, N501Y, and Y505H in the RBD region of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron. Raltegravir, hesperidin, pyronaridine, and difloxacin achieved the highest drug scores compared with the other compounds in the four classes, with values of 81%, 57%, 18%, and 71%, respectively. The calculated results showed that raltegravir and hesperidin had high binding affinities and stabilities to Omicron with ΔGbinding of - 75.7304 ± 0.98324 and - 42.693536 ± 0.979056 kJ/mol, respectively. Further clinical studies should be performed for the two best compounds from this study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eslam A. R. Mohamed
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Minia University, Minia, 61511 Egypt
| | - Islam M. Abdel-Rahman
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Deraya University, New-Minia, 61519 Minia Egypt
| | - Magdi E. A. Zaki
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University (IMSIU), Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ahmad Al-Khdhairawi
- Department of Biological Science and Biotechnology, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 Bangi, Selangor Malaysia
| | - Mahmoud M. Abdelhamid
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Al-Azhar University, Asyut, 71524 Egypt
| | - Ahmad M. Alqaisi
- Chemistry Department, University of Jordan, Amman, 11942 Jordan
- Present Address: School for Engineering of Matter, Transport and Energy, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287 USA
| | - Lyana binti Abd Rahim
- Department of Medicine, Hospital Tuanku Ampuan Najihah, Kuala Pilah, Negeri Sembilan Malaysia
| | - Bilal Abu-Hussein
- Albayader Specialty Hospital, Amman, Jordan
- Present Address: Department of General Surgery, Cumberland Infirmary Hospital, Carlisle, England
| | - Azza A. K. El-Sheikh
- Basic Health Sciences Department, College of Medicine, Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, P.O. 13 Box 84428, Riyadh, 11671 Saudi Arabia
| | - Sayed F. Abdelwahab
- Department of Pharmaceutics and Industrial Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Taif University, PO Box 11099, Taif, 21944 Saudi Arabia
| | - Heba Ali Hassan
- Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Sohag University, Sohag, 82524 Egypt
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Novel ciprofloxacin and norfloxacin-tetrazole hybrids as potential antibacterial and antiviral agents: targeting S. aureus topoisomerase and SARS-CoV-2-MPro. J Mol Struct 2022; 1274:134507. [PMID: 36406777 PMCID: PMC9640164 DOI: 10.1016/j.molstruc.2022.134507] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2022] [Revised: 11/01/2022] [Accepted: 11/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
This study was designed to synthesize hybridizing molecules from ciprofloxacin and norfloxacin by enhancing their biological activity with tetrazoles. The synthesized compounds were investigated in the interaction with the target enzyme of fluoroquinolones (DNA gyrase) and COVID-19 main protease using molecular similarity, molecular docking, and QSAR studies. A QSAR study was carried out to explore the antibacterial activity of our compounds over Staphylococcus aureus a QSAR study, using descriptors obtained from the docking with DNA gyrase, in combination with steric type descriptors, was done obtaining suitable statistical parameters (R2=87.00, QLMO2=71.67, and QEXT2=73.49) to support our results. The binding interaction of our compounds with CoV-2-Mpro was done by molecular docking and were compared with different covalent and non-covalent inhibitors of this enzyme. For the docking studies we used several crystallographic structures of the CoV-2-Mpro. The interaction energy values and binding mode with several key residues, by our compounds, support the capability of them to be CoV-2-Mpro inhibitors. The characterization of the compounds was completed using FT-IR, 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR, 19F-NMR and HRMS spectroscopic methods. The results showed that compounds 1, 4, 5, 10 and 12 had the potential to be further studied as new antibacterial and antiviral compounds
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Yadav V. Computational evidence based perspective on the plausible repositioning of fluoroquinolones for COVID-19 treatment. Curr Comput Aided Drug Des 2022; 18:CAD-EPUB-126248. [PMID: 36093826 DOI: 10.2174/1573409918666220909094645] [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: 05/13/2022] [Revised: 06/13/2022] [Accepted: 07/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) has become a serious global healthcare crisis, so there is an emergence of identifying efficacious therapeutic options. In a setting where there is an unavailability of definitive medication along with the constant eruption of vaccine-related controversies, the drug-repositioning approach seems to be an ideal step for the management of COVID-19 patients. Fluoroquinolones (FQs) are commonly prescribed antibiotics for the treatment of genitourinary tract and upper respiratory tract infections, including severe community-acquired pneumonia. Research over the years has postulated multifaceted implications of FQs in various pathological conditions. Previously, it has been reported that few, but not all FQs, possess strong antiviral activity with an unknown mechanism of action. Herein, an interesting perspective is discussed on repositioning possibilities of FQs for the SARS-CoV-2 infections based on the recent in silico evidential support. Noteworthy, FQs possess immunomodulatory and bactericidal activity which could be valuable for patients dealing with COVID-19 related complications. Conclusively, the current perspective could pave the way to initiate pre-clinical testing of FQs against several strains of SARS-CoV-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vikas Yadav
- Interdisciplinary Cluster for Applied Genoproteomics (GIGA), University of Liège, Sart-Tilman, 4000, Liège, Belgium
- Department of Translational Medicine, Skane University Hospital, Clinical Research Centre, Lund University, Malmö, Sweden
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5
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Välikangas T, Junttila S, Rytkönen KT, Kukkonen-Macchi A, Suomi T, Elo LL. COVID-19-specific transcriptomic signature detectable in blood across multiple cohorts. Front Genet 2022; 13:929887. [PMID: 35991542 PMCID: PMC9388772 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2022.929887] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2022] [Accepted: 06/27/2022] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is spreading across the world despite vast global vaccination efforts. Consequently, many studies have looked for potential human host factors and immune mechanisms associated with the disease. However, most studies have focused on comparing COVID-19 patients to healthy controls, while fewer have elucidated the specific host factors distinguishing COVID-19 from other infections. To discover genes specifically related to COVID-19, we reanalyzed transcriptome data from nine independent cohort studies, covering multiple infections, including COVID-19, influenza, seasonal coronaviruses, and bacterial pneumonia. The identified COVID-19-specific signature consisted of 149 genes, involving many signals previously associated with the disease, such as induction of a strong immunoglobulin response and hemostasis, as well as dysregulation of cell cycle-related processes. Additionally, potential new gene candidates related to COVID-19 were discovered. To facilitate exploration of the signature with respect to disease severity, disease progression, and different cell types, we also offer an online tool for easy visualization of the selected genes across multiple datasets at both bulk and single-cell levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tommi Välikangas
- Turku Bioscience Centre, University of Turku and Åbo Akademi University, Turku, Finland
| | - Sini Junttila
- Turku Bioscience Centre, University of Turku and Åbo Akademi University, Turku, Finland
| | - Kalle T. Rytkönen
- Turku Bioscience Centre, University of Turku and Åbo Akademi University, Turku, Finland
- Institute of Biomedicine, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
| | - Anu Kukkonen-Macchi
- Turku Bioscience Centre, University of Turku and Åbo Akademi University, Turku, Finland
| | - Tomi Suomi
- Turku Bioscience Centre, University of Turku and Åbo Akademi University, Turku, Finland
- *Correspondence: Tomi Suomi, ; Laura L. Elo,
| | - Laura L. Elo
- Turku Bioscience Centre, University of Turku and Åbo Akademi University, Turku, Finland
- Institute of Biomedicine, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
- *Correspondence: Tomi Suomi, ; Laura L. Elo,
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Qian X, Qi Z. Mosquito-Borne Flaviviruses and Current Therapeutic Advances. Viruses 2022; 14:v14061226. [PMID: 35746697 PMCID: PMC9229039 DOI: 10.3390/v14061226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2022] [Revised: 05/25/2022] [Accepted: 06/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Mosquito-borne flavivirus infections affect approximately 400 million people worldwide each year and are global threats to public health. The common diseases caused by such flaviviruses include West Nile, yellow fever, dengue, Zika infection and Japanese encephalitis, which may result in severe symptoms and disorders of multiple organs or even fatal outcomes. Till now, no specific antiviral agents are commercially available for the treatment of the diseases. Numerous strategies have been adopted to develop novel and promising inhibitors against mosquito-borne flaviviruses, including drugs targeting the critical viral components or essential host factors during infection. Research advances in antiflaviviral therapy might optimize and widen the treatment options for flavivirus infection. This review summarizes the current developmental progresses and involved molecular mechanisms of antiviral agents against mosquito-borne flaviviruses.
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Marciniec K, Beberok A, Boryczka S, Wrześniok D. The application of in silico experimental model in the assessment of ciprofloxacin and levofloxacin interaction with main SARS-CoV-2 targets: S-, E- and TMPRSS2 proteins, RNA-dependent RNA polymerase and papain-like protease (PLpro)-preliminary molecular docking analysis. Pharmacol Rep 2021; 73:1765-1780. [PMID: 34052981 PMCID: PMC8164684 DOI: 10.1007/s43440-021-00282-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2021] [Revised: 05/12/2021] [Accepted: 05/19/2021] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The new severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) was identified at the end of 2019. Despite growing understanding of SARS-CoV-2 in virology as well as many molecular studies, except remdesivir, no specific anti-SARS-CoV-2 drug has been officially approved. METHODS In the present study molecular docking technique was applied to test binding affinity of ciprofloxacin and levofloxacin-two commercially available fluoroquinolones, to SARS-CoV-2 S-, E- and TMPRSS2 proteins, RNA-dependent RNA polymerase and papain-like protease (PLPRO). Chloroquine and dexamethasone were used as reference positive controls. RESULTS When analyzing the molecular docking data it was noticed that ciprofloxacin and levofloxacin possess lower binding energy with S protein as compared to the references. In the case of TMPRSS2 protein and PLPRO protease the best docked ligand was levofloxacin and in the case of E proteins and RNA-dependent RNA polymerase the best docked ligands were levofloxacin and dexamethasone. Moreover, a molecular dynamics study also reveals that ciprofloxacin and levofloxacin form a stable complex with E- and TMPRSS2 proteins, RNA polymerase and papain-like protease (PLPRO). CONCLUSIONS The revealed data indicate that ciprofloxacin and levofloxacin could interact and potentially inhibit crucial SARS-CoV-2 proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Krzysztof Marciniec
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences in Sosnowiec, Medical University of Silesia, Jagiellońska 4, 41-200, Sosnowiec, Poland
| | - Artur Beberok
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences in Sosnowiec, Medical University of Silesia, Jagiellońska 4, 41-200, Sosnowiec, Poland.
| | - Stanisław Boryczka
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences in Sosnowiec, Medical University of Silesia, Jagiellońska 4, 41-200, Sosnowiec, Poland
| | - Dorota Wrześniok
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences in Sosnowiec, Medical University of Silesia, Jagiellońska 4, 41-200, Sosnowiec, Poland
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8
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Alaaeldin R, Mustafa M, Abuo-Rahma GEDA, Fathy M. In vitro inhibition and molecular docking of a new ciprofloxacin-chalcone against SARS-CoV-2 main protease. Fundam Clin Pharmacol 2021; 36:160-170. [PMID: 34268806 PMCID: PMC8444764 DOI: 10.1111/fcp.12708] [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: 01/27/2021] [Revised: 05/04/2021] [Accepted: 06/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Background/Aim SARS‐CoV‐2 is one of the coronavirus families that emerged at the end of 2019. It infected the respiratory system and caused a pandemic worldwide. Fluoroquinolones (FQs) have been safely used as antibacterial agents for decades. The antiviral activity of FQs was observed. Moreover, substitution on the C‐7 position of ciprofloxacin enhanced its antiviral activity. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the antiviral activity of 7‐(4‐(N‐substituted‐carbamoyl‐methyl)piperazin‐1yl)‐chalcone in comparison with ciprofloxacin against SARS‐CoV‐2 main protease (Mpro). Materials and methods Vero cells were infected with SARS‐CoV‐2. After treatment with ciprofloxacin and the chalcone at the concentrations of 1.6, 16, 160 nmol/L for 48 h, SARS‐CoV‐2 viral load was detected using real‐time qPCR, SARS‐CoV‐2 infectivity was determined using plaque assay, and the main protease enzyme activity was detected using in vitro 3CL‐protease inhibition assay. The activity of the chalcone was justified through molecular docking within SARS‐CoV‐2 Mpro, in comparison with ciprofloxacin. Results The new chalcone significantly inhibited viral load replication where the EC50 was 3.93 nmol/L, the plaque formation ability of the virus was inhibited to 86.8% ± 2.47. The chalcone exhibited a significant inhibitory effect against SARS‐CoV‐2 Mpro in vitro in a dose‐dependent manner. The docking study into SARS‐CoV‐2 Mpro active site justified the importance of adding a substitution to the parent drug. Additionally, the assessment of the drug‐likeness properties indicated that the chalcone might have acceptable ADMET properties. Conclusion The new chalcone might be useful and has new insights for the inhibition of SARS‐CoV‐2 Mpro.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rania Alaaeldin
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Deraya University, Minia, Egypt
| | - Muhamad Mustafa
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Deraya University, Minia, Egypt
| | - Gamal El-Din A Abuo-Rahma
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Deraya University, Minia, Egypt.,Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Minia University, Minia, Egypt
| | - Moustafa Fathy
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Minia University, Minia, Egypt.,Department of Regenerative Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Toyama, Toyama, Japan
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9
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Ahmadi A, Moradi S. In silico analysis suggests the RNAi-enhancing antibiotic enoxacin as a potential inhibitor of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Sci Rep 2021; 11:10271. [PMID: 33986351 PMCID: PMC8119475 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-89605-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2020] [Accepted: 04/29/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
COVID-19 has currently become the biggest challenge in the world. There is still no specific medicine for COVID-19, which leaves a critical gap for the identification of new drug candidates for the disease. Recent studies have reported that the small-molecule enoxacin exerts an antiviral activity by enhancing the RNAi pathway. The aim of this study is to analyze if enoxacin can exert anti-SARS-CoV-2 effects. We exploit multiple computational tools and databases to examine (i) whether the RNAi mechanism, as the target pathway of enoxacin, could act on the SARS-CoV-2 genome, and (ii) microRNAs induced by enoxacin might directly silence viral components as well as the host cell proteins mediating the viral entry and replication. We find that the RNA genome of SARS-CoV-2 might be a suitable substrate for DICER activity. We also highlight several enoxacin-enhanced microRNAs which could target SARS-CoV-2 components, pro-inflammatory cytokines, host cell components facilitating viral replication, and transcription factors enriched in lung stem cells, thereby promoting their differentiation and lung regeneration. Finally, our analyses identify several enoxacin-targeted regulatory modules that were critically associated with exacerbation of the SARS-CoV-2 infection. Overall, our analysis suggests that enoxacin could be a promising candidate for COVID-19 treatment through enhancing the RNAi pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amirhossein Ahmadi
- Department of Biological Science and Technology, Faculty of Nano and Bio Science and Technology, Persian Gulf University, Bushehr, 75169,, Iran
| | - Sharif Moradi
- Department of Stem Cells and Developmental Biology, Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, ACECR, Tehran, Iran.
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10
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Fluoroquinolone Antibiotics Exhibit Low Antiviral Activity against SARS-CoV-2 and MERS-CoV. Viruses 2020; 13:v13010008. [PMID: 33374514 DOI: 10.3390/v13010008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2020] [Revised: 12/17/2020] [Accepted: 12/21/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Repurposing FDA-approved drugs that treat respiratory infections caused by coronaviruses, such as SARS-CoV-2 and MERS-CoV, could quickly provide much needed antiviral therapies. In the current study, the potency and cellular toxicity of four fluoroquinolones (enoxacin, ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin, and moxifloxacin) were assessed in Vero cells and A549 cells engineered to overexpress ACE2, the SARS-CoV-2 entry receptor. All four fluoroquinolones suppressed SARS-CoV-2 replication at high micromolar concentrations in both cell types, with enoxacin demonstrating the lowest effective concentration 50 value (EC50) of 126.4 μM in Vero cells. Enoxacin also suppressed the replication of MERS-CoV-2 in Vero cells at high micromolar concentrations. Cellular toxicity of levofloxacin was not found in either cell type. In Vero cells, minimal toxicity was observed following treatment with ≥37.5 μM enoxacin and 600 μM ciprofloxacin. Toxicity in both cell types was detected after moxifloxacin treatment of ≥300 μM. In summary, these results suggest that the ability of fluoroquinolones to suppress SARS-CoV-2 and MERS-CoV replication in cultured cells is limited.
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11
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Scroggs SLP, Gass JT, Chinnasamy R, Widen SG, Azar SR, Rossi SL, Arterburn JB, Vasilakis N, Hanley KA. Evolution of resistance to fluoroquinolones by dengue virus serotype 4 provides insight into mechanism of action and consequences for viral fitness. Virology 2020; 552:94-106. [PMID: 33120225 PMCID: PMC7528753 DOI: 10.1016/j.virol.2020.09.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2020] [Revised: 08/30/2020] [Accepted: 09/08/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Drugs against flaviviruses such as dengue (DENV) and Zika (ZIKV) virus are urgently needed. We previously demonstrated that three fluoroquinolones, ciprofloxacin, enoxacin, and difloxacin, suppress replication of six flaviviruses. To investigate the barrier to resistance and mechanism(s) of action of these drugs, DENV-4 was passaged in triplicate in HEK-293 cells in the presence or absence of each drug. Resistance to ciprofloxacin was detected by the seventh passage and to difloxacin by the tenth, whereas resistance to enoxacin did not occur within ten passages. Two putative resistance-conferring mutations were detected in the envelope gene of ciprofloxacin and difloxacin-resistant DENV-4. In the absence of ciprofloxacin, ciprofloxacin-resistant viruses sustained a significantly higher viral titer than control viruses in HEK-293 and HuH-7 cells and resistant viruses were more stable than control viruses at 37 °C. These results suggest that the mechanism of action of ciprofloxacin and difloxacin involves interference with virus binding or entry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stacey L P Scroggs
- Department of Biology, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, NM, USA.
| | - Jordan T Gass
- Department of Biology, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, NM, USA
| | - Ramesh Chinnasamy
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, NM, USA
| | - Steven G Widen
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Sasha R Azar
- Department of Pathology, The University of University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Shannan L Rossi
- Department of Pathology, The University of University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA; Institute for Human Infection and Immunity, The University of University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Jeffrey B Arterburn
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, NM, USA
| | - Nikos Vasilakis
- Department of Pathology, The University of University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA; Center for Biodefense and Emerging Infectious Diseases, The University of University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA; Center for Tropical Diseases, The University of University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA; Institute for Human Infection and Immunity, The University of University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Kathryn A Hanley
- Department of Biology, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, NM, USA
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