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da Costa RA, da Costa ADSS, da Rocha JAP, Lima MRDC, da Rocha ECM, Nascimento FCDA, Gomes AJB, do Rego JDAR, Brasil DDSB. Exploring Natural Alkaloids from Brazilian Biodiversity as Potential Inhibitors of the Aedes aegypti Juvenile Hormone Enzyme: A Computational Approach for Vector Mosquito Control. Molecules 2023; 28:6871. [PMID: 37836714 PMCID: PMC10574778 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28196871] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2023] [Revised: 08/26/2023] [Accepted: 09/02/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023] Open
Abstract
This study explores the potential inhibitory activity of alkaloids, a class of natural compounds isolated from Brazilian biodiversity, against the mJHBP enzyme of the Aedes aegypti mosquito. This mosquito is a significant vector of diseases such as dengue, zika, and chikungunya. The interactions between the ligands and the enzyme at the molecular level were evaluated using computational techniques such as molecular docking, molecular dynamics (MD), and molecular mechanics with generalized Born surface area (MMGBSA) free energy calculation. The findings suggest that these compounds exhibit a high binding affinity with the enzyme, as confirmed by the binding free energies obtained in the simulation. Furthermore, the specific enzyme residues that contribute the most to the stability of the complex with the compounds were identified: specifically, Tyr33, Trp53, Tyr64, and Tyr129. Notably, Tyr129 residues were previously identified as crucial in the enzyme inhibition process. This observation underscores the significance of the research findings and the potential of the evaluated compounds as natural insecticides against Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. These results could stimulate the development of new vector control agents that are more efficient and environmentally friendly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renato Araújo da Costa
- Laboratory of Biosolutions and Bioplastics of the Amazon, Graduate Program in Science and Environment, Institute of Exact and Natural Sciences, Federal University of Pará (UFPA), Belém 66075-110, PA, Brazil; (A.d.S.S.d.C.); (F.C.d.A.N.); (J.d.A.R.d.R.); (D.d.S.B.B.)
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Evolution and Microbiology, Federal Institute of Education, Science and Technology of Pará (IFPA) Campus Abaetetuba, Abaetetuba 68440-000, PA, Brazil; (M.R.d.C.L.); (A.J.B.G.)
| | - Andréia do Socorro Silva da Costa
- Laboratory of Biosolutions and Bioplastics of the Amazon, Graduate Program in Science and Environment, Institute of Exact and Natural Sciences, Federal University of Pará (UFPA), Belém 66075-110, PA, Brazil; (A.d.S.S.d.C.); (F.C.d.A.N.); (J.d.A.R.d.R.); (D.d.S.B.B.)
| | - João Augusto Pereira da Rocha
- Graduate Program in Chemistry, Federal University of Pará (UFPA), Belém 66075-110, PA, Brazil; (J.A.P.d.R.); (E.C.M.d.R.)
| | - Marlon Ramires da Costa Lima
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Evolution and Microbiology, Federal Institute of Education, Science and Technology of Pará (IFPA) Campus Abaetetuba, Abaetetuba 68440-000, PA, Brazil; (M.R.d.C.L.); (A.J.B.G.)
| | | | - Fabiana Cristina de Araújo Nascimento
- Laboratory of Biosolutions and Bioplastics of the Amazon, Graduate Program in Science and Environment, Institute of Exact and Natural Sciences, Federal University of Pará (UFPA), Belém 66075-110, PA, Brazil; (A.d.S.S.d.C.); (F.C.d.A.N.); (J.d.A.R.d.R.); (D.d.S.B.B.)
| | - Anderson José Baia Gomes
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Evolution and Microbiology, Federal Institute of Education, Science and Technology of Pará (IFPA) Campus Abaetetuba, Abaetetuba 68440-000, PA, Brazil; (M.R.d.C.L.); (A.J.B.G.)
| | - José de Arimatéia Rodrigues do Rego
- Laboratory of Biosolutions and Bioplastics of the Amazon, Graduate Program in Science and Environment, Institute of Exact and Natural Sciences, Federal University of Pará (UFPA), Belém 66075-110, PA, Brazil; (A.d.S.S.d.C.); (F.C.d.A.N.); (J.d.A.R.d.R.); (D.d.S.B.B.)
| | - Davi do Socorro Barros Brasil
- Laboratory of Biosolutions and Bioplastics of the Amazon, Graduate Program in Science and Environment, Institute of Exact and Natural Sciences, Federal University of Pará (UFPA), Belém 66075-110, PA, Brazil; (A.d.S.S.d.C.); (F.C.d.A.N.); (J.d.A.R.d.R.); (D.d.S.B.B.)
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Ramos INDF, da Silva MF, Lopes JMS, Cruz JN, Alves FS, do Rego JDAR, Costa MLD, Assumpção PPD, Barros Brasil DDS, Khayat AS. Extraction, Characterization, and Evaluation of the Cytotoxic Activity of Piperine in Its Isolated form and in Combination with Chemotherapeutics against Gastric Cancer. Molecules 2023; 28:5587. [PMID: 37513459 PMCID: PMC10385350 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28145587] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2023] [Revised: 06/30/2023] [Accepted: 07/05/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Gastric cancer is one of the most frequent types of neoplasms worldwide, usually presenting as aggressive and difficult-to-manage tumors. The search for new structures with anticancer potential encompasses a vast research field in which natural products arise as promising alternatives. In this scenario, piperine, an alkaloid of the Piper species, has received attention due to its biological activity, including anticancer attributes. The present work proposes three heating-independent, reliable, low-cost, and selective methods for obtaining piperine from Piper nigrum L. (Black pepper). Electronic (SEM) and optical microscopies, X-ray diffraction, nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopies (13C and 1H NMR), and optical spectroscopies (UV-Vis, photoluminescence, and FTIR) confirm the obtention of piperine crystals. The MTT assay reveals that the piperine samples exhibit good cytotoxic activity against primary and metastasis models of gastric cancer cell lines from the Brazilian Amazon. The samples showed selective cytotoxicity on the evaluated models, revealing higher effectiveness in cells bearing a higher degree of aggressiveness. Moreover, the investigated piperine crystals demonstrated the ability to act as a good cytotoxicity enhancer when combined with traditional chemotherapeutics (5-FU and GEM), allowing the drugs to achieve the same cytotoxic effect in cells employing lower concentrations. These results establish piperine as a promising molecule for therapy investigations in aggressive gastric cancer, both in its isolated form or as a bioenhancer.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Jordy Neves Cruz
- Institute of Technology, Federal University of Pará, Belém 66075-110, PA, Brazil
| | - Fabrine Silva Alves
- Graduate Program in Pharmaceutical Innovation, Federal University of Pará, Belém 66075-110, PA, Brazil
| | | | | | | | - Davi do Socorro Barros Brasil
- Institute of Technology, Federal University of Pará, Belém 66075-110, PA, Brazil
- Graduate Program in Pharmaceutical Innovation, Federal University of Pará, Belém 66075-110, PA, Brazil
- Graduate Program in Science and Environment, Federal University of Pará, Belém 66075-110, PA, Brazil
| | - André Salim Khayat
- Oncology Research Center, Federal University of Pará, Belém 66075-110, PA, Brazil
- Institute of Biological Science, Federal University of Pará, Belém 66075-110, PA, Brazil
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da Silva DA, Brasil DDSB, Cunha EJDS, Aires GCM, da Costa RA, do Rego JDAR, Pena RDS. Structural and Thermal Characteristics of Buriti Tree Gum (Mauritia flexuosa). Polymers (Basel) 2023; 15:polym15071662. [PMID: 37050276 PMCID: PMC10097139 DOI: 10.3390/polym15071662] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2023] [Revised: 03/18/2023] [Accepted: 03/23/2023] [Indexed: 03/29/2023] Open
Abstract
A polysaccharide was isolated from the exudate of a buriti tree trunk (Mauritia flexuosa). The molecular structure, thermal stability, morphology, crystallinity, and elemental composition of the product were investigated through spectroscopic techniques, such as Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR 1H and 13C), and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS); thermogravimetric analysis (TG), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). In addition to NMR molecular modeling studies, were performed to confirm the 1H and 13C chemical shifts to Gal and Xyl conformers. Buriti tree gum (BG) is an arabinogalactan, containing Rha, Ara, Xyl, and Gal, and degrades almost completely (98.5%) at 550 °C and has a maximum degradation peak at 291.97 °C, with a mass loss of 56.33%. In the temperature range of 255–290 °C, the energy involved in the BG degradation process was approximately 17 J/g. DSC indicated a glass transition temperature of 27.2 °C for BG, which had an irregular and heterogeneous morphology, with smooth or crumbling scaly regions, demonstrating the amorphous nature of BG that was confirmed by the XRD standard. EDS revealed the presence of carbon and oxygen, as well as calcium, magnesium, aluminum, silicon, chlorine, and potassium, in the BG composition.
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