Insights into the Role of Erythrina corallodendron L. in Alzheimer's Disease: in Vitro and in Silico Approach

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a major health problem. Cholinergic transmission is greatly affected in AD. Phytochemical investigation of the alkaloid rich fraction (AF) of Erythrina corallodendron L leaves resulted in isolation of five known alkaloids: erysodine, erythrinine, 8-oxoerythrinine, erysovine N-oxide and erythrinine N-oxide. In this study, eysovine N-oxide was reported for the second time in nature. AF was assayed for cholinesterase inhibition at the concentration of 100 μg mL⁻¹. AF showed a higher percent inhibition for butyrylcholinesterase enzyme (BuChE) (83.28 %) compared to acetylcholinesterase enzyme (AChE) (64.64 %). The isolated alkaloids were also assayed for their anti-BuChE effect. In-silico docking study was done for the isolated compounds at the binding sites of AChE and BuChE to determine their binding pattern and interactions, also molecular dynamics were estimated for the compound displaying the best fit for AChE and BuChE. In addition, ADME parameters and toxicity were predicted for the isolated alkaloids compared to donepezil.     

Synthesis and biological evaluation of flavone-8-acrylamide derivatives as potential multi-target-directed anti Alzheimer agents and investigation of binding mechanism with acetylcholinesterase

In a search for novel multifunctional anti-Alzheimer agents, a congeneric set of seventeen flavone-8-acrylamide derivatives (8a─q) were synthesized and evaluated for their cholinesterase inhibitory, antioxidant, neuroprotective and modulation of Aβ aggregation activities. The target compounds showed effective and selective inhibitory activity against the AChE over BuChE. In addition, the target compounds also showed moderate anti-oxidant activity and strong neuroprotective capacities, and accelerated dosage-dependently the Aβ aggregation. Also, we presented here a complete study on the interaction of 8a, 8d, 8e, 8h and 8i with AChE. Through fluorescence emission studies, the binding sites number found to be 1, binding constants were calculated as 2.04 × 10⁴, 2.22 × 10⁴, 1.18 × 10⁴, 9.8 × 10³ and 3.2 × 10⁴ M⁻¹ and free energy change as −5.83, −5.91, −5.51, −5.41 and −6.12 kcal M⁻¹ at 25 °C which were well agreed with the computational calculations indicating a strong binding affinity of flavones and AChE. Furthermore, the CD studies revealed that the secondary structure of AChE became partly unfolded upon binding with 8a, 8d, 8e, 8h and 8i.     

Design,Synthesis, and Cholinesterase Inhibition Assay of Coumarin‐3‐carboxamide‐N‐morpholine Hybrids as New Anti‐Alzheimer Agents

A new series of coumarin‐3‐carboxamide‐N‐morpholine hybrids 5a – 5l was designed and synthesized as cholinesterases inhibitors. The synthetic approach for title compounds was started from the reaction between 2‐hydroxybenzaldehyde derivatives and Meldrum's acid to afford corresponding coumarin‐3‐carboxylic acids. Then, amidation of the latter compounds with 2‐morpholinoethylamine or N‐(3‐aminopropyl)morpholine led to the formation of the compounds 5a – 5l . The in vitro inhibition screen against acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE) revealed that most of the synthesized compounds had potent AChE inhibitory while their BuChE inhibitions are moderate to weak. Among them, propylmorpholine derivative 5g (N‐[3‐(morpholin‐4‐yl)propyl]‐2‐oxo‐2H‐chromene‐3‐carboxamide) bearing an unsubstituted coumarin moiety and ethylmorpholine derivative 5d (6‐bromo‐N‐[2‐(morpholin‐4‐yl)ethyl]‐2‐oxo‐2H‐chromene‐3‐carboxamide) bearing a 6‐bromocoumarin moiety showed the most activity against AChE and BuChE, respectively. The inhibitory activity of compound 5g against AChE was 1.78 times more than that of rivastigmine and anti‐BuChE activity of compound 5d is approximately same as rivastigmine. Kinetic and docking studies confirmed the dual binding site ability of compound 5g to inhibit AChE.     

Insights into (S)-rivastigmine inhibition of butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE): Molecular docking and saturation transfer difference NMR (STD-NMR)

Rivastigmine is a very important drug prescribed for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) symptoms. It is a dual inhibitor, in that it inhibits both acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE). For our screening program on the discovery of new rivastigmine analogue hits for human butyrylcholinesterase (hBuChE) inhibition, we investigated the interaction of this inhibitor with BuChE using the complimentary approach of the biophysical method, saturation transfer difference (STD)-NMR and molecular docking. This allowed us to obtain essential information on the key binding interactions between the inhibitor and the enzyme to be used for screening of hit compounds. The main conclusions obtained from this integrated study was that the most dominant interactions were (a) H-bonding between the carbamate carbonyl of the inhibitor and the NH group of the imidazole unit of H434, (b) stacking of the aromatic unit of the inhibitor and the W82 aromatic unit in the choline binding pocket via π-π interactions and (c) possible CH/π interactions between the benzylic methyl group and the N-methyl groups of the inhibitor and W82 of the enzyme.     

Potencies and selectivities of inhibitors of acetylcholinesterase and its molecular forms in normal and Alzheimer's disease brain

Eight inhibitors of acetylcholinesterase (AChE), tacrine, bis-tacrine, donepezil, rivastigmine, galantamine, heptyl-physostigmine, TAK-147 and metrifonate, were compared with regard to their effects on AChE and butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE) in normal human brain cortex. Additionally, the IC50 values of different molecular forms of AChE (monomeric, G1, and tetrameric, G4) were determined in the cerebral cortex in both normal and Alzheimer's human brains. The most selective AChE inhibitors, in decreasing sequence, were in order: TAK-147, donepezil and galantamine. For BuChE, the most specific was rivastigmine. However, none of these inhibitors was absolutely specific for AChE or BuChE. Among these inhibitors, tacrine, bis-tacrine, TAK-147, metrifonate and galantamine inhibited both the G1 and G4 AChE forms equally well. Interestingly, the AChE molecular forms in Alzheimer samples were more sensitive to some of the inhibitors as compared with the normal samples. Only one inhibitor, rivastigmine, displayed preferential inhibition for the G1 form of AChE. We conclude that a molecular form-specific inhibitor may have therapeutic applications in inhibiting the G1 form, which is relatively unchanged in Alzheimer's brain.     

Combined experimental/computational aspects for the molecular interaction of empagliflozin with bovine serum albumin: Quantification and application to human plasma

Empagliflozin (EMP) is an oral antihyperglycemic agent for type 2 diabetic patients. The molecular binding of EMP to bovine serum albumin (BSA) was elucidated by a combined experimental/computational approach to fulfil the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics gaps of the cited drug for further development. Fluorescence, synchronous, and three-dimensional fluorescence spectroscopy verified that EMP quenched BSA native fluorescence through a dual static/dynamic mechanism that was further supported by Fӧrster resonance energy transfer and ultraviolet absorption spectroscopy. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy revealed the conformational variations in BSA secondary structure induced by EMP. Thermodynamic properties of the BSA–EMP complex were also investigated, and the hydrophobic interactions' role in the binding process was demonstrated by the computed enthalpy (ΔH = 6.558 kJ mol⁻¹) and entropy (ΔS = 69.333 J mol⁻¹ K⁻¹). Gibbs free energy (ΔG) values were negative at three distinct temperatures, illuminating the spontaneity of this interaction. In addition, molecular docking studies depicted the optimal fitting of EMP to BSA on Site I (sub-domain IIA) through three hydrogen bonds. Additionally, and based on the quenching effect of EMP on BSA fluorescence, this study suggests a simple validated spectrofluorometric method for the quantitation of the studied drug in bulk form and human plasma samples with reasonable recoveries (96.99–103.10%).     

Altered Levels of Acetylcholinesterase in Alzheimer Plasma

Background

Many studies have been conducted in an extensive effort to identify alterations in blood cholinesterase levels as a consequence of disease, including the analysis of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) in plasma. Conventional assays using selective cholinesterase inhibitors have not been particularly successful as excess amounts of butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE) pose a major problem.

Principal Findings

Here we have estimated the levels of AChE activity in human plasma by first immunoprecipitating BuChE and measuring AChE activity in the immunodepleted plasma. Human plasma AChE activity levels were ∼20 nmol/min/mL, about 160 times lower than BuChE. The majority of AChE species are the light G₁+G₂ forms and not G₄ tetramers. The levels and pattern of the molecular forms are similar to that observed in individuals with silent BuChE. We have also compared plasma AChE with the enzyme pattern obtained from human liver, red blood cells, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and brain, by sedimentation analysis, Western blotting and lectin-binding analysis. Finally, a selective increase of AChE activity was detected in plasma from Alzheimer''s disease (AD) patients compared to age and gender-matched controls. This increase correlates with an increase in the G₁+G₂ forms, the subset of AChE species which are increased in Alzheimer''s brain. Western blot analysis demonstrated that a 78 kDa immunoreactive AChE protein band was also increased in Alzheimer''s plasma, attributed in part to AChE-T subunits common in brain and CSF.

Conclusion

Plasma AChE might have potential as an indicator of disease progress and prognosis in AD and warrants further investigation.     

Comparison of the inhibitory potential towards carbonic anhydrase,acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase of chalcone and chalcone epoxide

Chalcones and chalcone epoxides are important synthetic intermediates in organic and medicinal chemistry. Chalcones possess a broad spectrum of biological activities; however, 1,3‐diphenyl‐2‐propenone or chalcone has not been given the attention it deserve as its substituted derivatives. In this study, the inhibition effects of chalcone and its epoxidated derivative chalcone epoxide against human carbonic anhydrase isozymes I and II (hCA I and hCA II), acetylcholinesterase (AChE), and butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE) were evaluated. The results obtained showed that both compounds exhibited potent inhibitory activity, with IC₅₀ values less than 10 µM. IC ₅₀ values in the submicromolar (hCA I and hCA II) to low micromolar range (AChE and BuChE) were observed for both compounds. The mechanism of inhibition and the inhibitory constants ( K _i values) for each compound were also determined. Furthermore, chalcone epoxide was docked within the active sites of hCA I, hCA II, AChE, and BuChE to explore its binding mode with the enzymes.     

New classes of carbazoles as potential multi-functional anti-Alzheimer’s agents

Multi-Target approach is particularly promising way to drug discovery against Alzheimer's disease. In the present study, we synthesized a series of compounds comprising the carbazole backbone linked to the benzyl piperazine, benzyl piperidine, pyridine, quinoline, or isoquinoline moiety through an aliphatic linker and evaluated as cholinesterase inhibitors. The synthesized compounds showed IC₅₀ values of 0.11–36.5 µM and 0.02–98.6 µM against acetyl- and butyrylcholinesterase (AChE and BuChE), respectively. The ligand-protein docking simulations and kinetic studies revealed that compound 3s could bind effectively to the peripheral anionic binding site (PAS) and anionic site of the enzyme with mixed-type inhibition. Compound 3s was the most potent compound against AChE and BuChE and showed acceptable inhibition potency for self- and AChE-induced Aβ_1-42 aggregation. Moreover, compound 3s could significantly protect PC12 cells against H₂O₂-induced toxicity. The results suggested that the compounds 3s could be considered as a promising multi-functional agent for further drug discovery development against Alzheimer's disease.     

Evaluation of the binding effect and cytotoxicity assay of 2-Ethyl-5-(4-methylphenyl) pyramido pyrazole ophthalazine trione on calf thymus DNA: spectroscopic,calorimetric, and molecular dynamics approaches

With advances in new drug therapies, it is essential to understand the interactions between drugs and target molecules. In this study, we applied multiple spectroscopic techniques including absorbance, fluorescence, circular dichroism spectroscopy, viscosity, thermal melting, calorimetric, and molecular dynamics (MD) simulation to study the interaction between 2-Ethyl-5-(4-methylphenyl) pyramido pyrazole ophthalazine trione (PPF) and calf thymus DNA (ct DNA) in the absence or presence of histone H1. PPF exhibits a high binding affinity towards ct DNA in binary and ternary systems. In addition, the result for the binding constant was observed within the range 10⁴ M⁻¹ achieved through fluorescence quenching data, while the values for enthalpy and entropy changes for ct DNA–PPF and (ct DNA–H1) PPF complexes were measured to be −72.54 kJ.mol⁻¹, −161.14 J.mol⁻¹ K⁻¹, −85.34 kJ.mol⁻¹, and −19.023 J.mol⁻¹ K⁻¹, respectively. Furthermore, in accordance with circular dichroism spectra, the inducement of ct DNA structural changes was observed during binding of PPF and H1 in binary and ternary system forms. The essential roles of hydrogen bonding and van der Waals forces throughout the interaction were suggested using thermodynamic parameters. According to the obtained data, the interaction mode of ct DNA–PPF and (ct DNA–H1) PPF complexes was intercalation binding. Suggested by the MD simulation study, the ct DNA–H1 complex caused a reduction in the stability of the DNA structure in the presence or absence of ligand, which demonstrated that PPF as an intercalating agent can further distort the structure. The information achieved from this study will be very helpful in understanding the effects of PPF on the conformational state of ct DNA in the absence or presence of the H1 molecule, which seems to be quite significant for clarifying the mechanisms of action and its pharmacokinetics.     

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

The number of patients with neurodegenerative diseases, particularly Alzheimer’s disease (AD), continues to grow yearly. Cholinesterase inhibitors (ChEIs) represent the first-line symptomatic drug treatment for mild-to-moderate AD; however, there is an unmet need to produce ChEIs with improved efficacy and reduced side effects. Herein, phytochemicals with reported anti-acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity were ranked in silico for their anti-AChE potential. Ligands with a similar or higher binding affinity to AChE than galantamine were then selected for the design of novel dual-binding site heterodimeric drugs. In silico molecular docking of heterodimers with the target enzymes, AChE and butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE), were performed, and anti-cholinesterase binding affinities were compared with donepezil. Drug-likeliness properties and toxicity of the heterodimers were assessed using the SwissADME and ProTox-II webservers. Nine phytochemicals displayed similar or higher binding affinities to AChE than galantamine: sanguinarine > huperzine A > chelerythrine > yohimbine > berberine > berberastine > naringenin > akuammicine > carvone. Eleven heterodimeric ligands were designed with phytochemicals separated by four- or five-carbon alkyl-linkers. All heterodimers were theoretically potent AChE and BuChE dual-binding site inhibitors, with the highest affinity achieved with huperzine-4C-naringenin, which displayed 34% and 26% improved affinity to AChE and BuChE, respectively, then the potent ChEI drug, donepezil. Computational pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic screening suggested that phytochemical heterodimers would display useful gastrointestinal absorption and with relatively low predicted toxicity. Collectively, the present study suggests that phytochemicals could be garnered for the provision of novel ChEIs with enhanced drug efficacy and low toxicity.     

Oven,Temperature-Controlled Microwave,and Shade Drying Effects on Drying Kinetics,Bioactive Compounds and Antioxidant Activity of Knotweed (Polygonum cognatum Meissn.)

In this study, the plant node was dried in an oven (40, 50 and 60 °C), shade and temperature-controlled microwave (40, 50 and 60 °C) methods. Statistically (p<0.05), the values closest to the color values of fresh grass were determined in an oven at 40 °C drying temperature. Effective diffusion values varied between 8.85×10⁻⁸–5.65×10⁻⁶ m² s⁻¹. While the activation energy was 61.28 kJ mol⁻¹ in the oven, it was calculated as 85.24 kJ mol⁻¹ in the temperature-controlled microwave. Drying data was best estimated in the Midilli-Küçük (R² 0.9998) model oven at 50 °C. The highest SMER value was calculated as 0.0098 kg kWh⁻¹ in the temperature-controlled microwave drying method. The lowest SEC value in the temperature-controlled microwave was determined as 24.03 kWh kg⁻¹. It was determined that enthalpy values varied between −2484.66/−2623.38 kJ mol⁻¹, entropy values between −162.04/−122.65 J mol⁻¹ and Gibbs free energy values between 453335.22–362581.40 kJ mol⁻¹. Drying rate values were calculated in the range of 0.0127–0.9820 g moisture g dry matter⁻¹ in the temperature-controlled microwave, 0.0003–0.0762 g dry matter⁻¹ in the oven, and 0.001–0.0058 g moisture g dry moisture matter⁻¹ in the shade. Phenolic content 6957.79 μg GAE g⁻¹ fw - 48322.27 μg GAE g⁻¹ dw, flavonoid content 3806.67 mg KE L⁻¹ fw - 22200.00 mg KE L⁻¹ dw and antioxidant capacity 43.35 μmol TE g⁻¹ fw - 323.47 μmol TE g⁻¹ dw. The highest chlorophyll values were obtained from samples dried in an oven at 40 °C. According to the findings, it is recommended to dry the knotweed (Polygonum cognatum Meissn.) plant in a temperature-controlled microwave oven at low temperatures. In this study, in terms of drying kinetics and energy parameters, a temperature-controlled microwave dryer of 60 °C is recommended, while in terms of quality characteristics, oven 40 °C and shade methods are recommended.     

Gender-related differences in circadian rhythm of rat plasma acetyl- and butyrylcholinesterase: Effects of sex hormone withdrawal

The role of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) in the termination of the cholinergic response through acetylcholine (ACh) hydrolysis and the involvement of plasma butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE), mainly of hepatic origin, in the metabolism of xenobiotics with ester bonds is well known. Besides, BuChE has a crucial role in ACh hydrolysis, especially when selective anticholinesterases inhibit AChE. Herein, we analyzed the gender-related differences and the circadian changes of rat plasma cholinesterases. Plasma and liver cholinesterase activities were evaluated in control or 2–30-day castrated adult male and female rats. Plasma and liver AChE activities did not differ between genders and were not influenced by sex hormone deprivation. BuChE plasma activity was 7 times greater in female, reflecting gender differences in liver enzyme expression. Castration increased liver and plasma BuChE activity in male, while reduced it in female, abolishing gender differences in enzyme activity. Interestingly, female AChE and BuChE plasma activities varied throughout the day, reaching values 27% and 42% lower, respectively, between 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. when compared to the morning peaks at 8 a.m. Castration attenuated daily female BuChE oscillation. On the other hand, male plasma enzymes remained constant throughout the day. In summary, our results show that liver and plasma BuChE, but not AChE, expression is influenced by sex hormones, leading to high levels of blood BuChE in females. The fluctuation of female plasma BuChE during the day should be taken into account to adjust the bioavailability and the therapeutic effects of cholinesterase inhibitors used in cholinergic-based conditions such Alzheimer's disease.     

Experimental and computational modeling of interaction of kolaviron-kolaflavanone with aldehyde dehydrogenase

Aldehyde dehydrogenases (ALDHs) are a diverse family of enzymes that catalyze the NAD(P)⁺-dependent detoxification of toxic aldehyde compounds. ALDHs are also involved in non-enzymatic ligand binding to endobiotics and xenobiotics. Here, the enzyme crucial non-canonical and non-catalytic interaction with kolaflavanone, a component of kolaviron, and a major bioflavonoid isolated from Garcinia kola (Bitter kola) was characterized by various spectroscopic and in silico approaches under simulated physiological condition. Kolaflavanone quenched the intrinsic fluorescence of ALDH in a concentration dependent manner with an effective quenching constant (K_sv) of 1.14 × 10³ L.mol⁻¹ at 25 °C. The enzyme has one binding site for kolaflavanone with a binding constant (K_a) of 2.57 × 10⁴ L.mol⁻¹ and effective Forster resonance energy transfer (FRET) of 4.87 nm. The bonding process was enthalpically driven. The reaction was not spontaneous and was predominantly characterized by Van der Waals forces and hydrogen bond. The flavonoid bonding slightly perturbed the secondary and tertiary structures of ALDH that was ‘tryptophan-gated’. The interaction was regulated by both diffusion and ionic strength. Molecular docking showed the binding of kolaflavanone was at the active site of ALDH and the participation of some amino acid residues in the complex formation with −9.6 kcal mol⁻¹ binding energy. The profiles of atomic fluctuations indicated the rigidity of the ligand-binding site during the simulation. With these, ALDH as a subtle nano-particle determinant of kolaviron bioavailability and efficacy is hereby proposed.     

Synthesis and biological evaluation of 4-arylcoumarins as potential anti-Alzheimer’s disease agents

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurological degenerative disease that has complex pathogenesis. A variety of studies in humans indicate that several enzymes inhibitors can be useful in the treatment of AD, including acetylcholinesterase (AchE), butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE) and monoamine oxidase (MAO). Various substituted 4-arylcoumarin derivatives were synthesised, and their activity in vitro were investigated, including AChE/BuChE inhibitory activity, MAO inhibitory activity, and antioxidant activity. Most of the compounds were found to exhibit high inhibitory activity, and individual compounds have extremely excellent activities. Therefore 4-arylcoumarins provides an idea for drugs design for the development of therapeutic or preventive agents for AD.     

Selective acetylcholinesterase inhibitors derived from muscle relaxant dantrolene

Dantrolene, the only therapeutic agent for malignant hyperthermia, is known to have not only a muscle relaxant effect, but also a neuroprotective effect and Alzheimer's disease improving effect. Recently, it has been reported that dantrolene has a weak inhibitory effect on acetylcholinesterase (AChE), which is a therapeutic drug target for Alzheimer's disease. Thus, we focused on developing of AChE inhibitors with benzylpiperidine/piperazine moieties that are based on the dantrolene skeleton. Several derivatives showed an inhibitory activity. Among them, ortho-nitro derivative 8c showed the most potent inhibitory activity with the IC₅₀ value of 34.2 nM. Furthermore, Lineweaver-Burk plot analysis indicated that 8c is AChE-selective inhibitor, which shows only a weak inhibitory effect on butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE) and a non-competitive inhibition.     

Synthesis,Spectroscopic Analysis,and in Vitro/in Silico Biological Studies of Novel Piperidine Derivatives Heterocyclic Schiff-Mannich Base Compounds

In the present study, 3-substitued-4-(4-hydroxybenzylidenamino)-4,5-dihydro-1H-1,2,4-triazol-5-ones ( S1-8 ) were synthesized by treating 4-hydroxybenzaldehyde ( B ) with eight different 3-substitued-4-amino-4,5-dihydro-1H-1,2,4-triazole-5-ones ( T1-8 ) in acetic acid medium, separately. The synthesized Schiff bases ( S ) were reacted with formaldehyde and secondary amine such as 4-piperidinecarboxyamide to afford novel heterocyclic bases. 3-Substitued-4-(4-hydroxybenzylidenamino)-4,5-dihydro-1H-1,2,4-triazol-5-ones ( T ) were treated with 4-piperidinecarboxyamide in the presence of formaldehyde to synthesize eight new 1-(4-piperidinecarboxyamide-1-yl - methyl)-3-substitued-4-(4-hydroxybenzylidenamino)-4,5-dihydro-1H-1,2,4-triazol-5-ones ( M1-8 ). The structure characterization of compounds was carried out using ¹H-NMR, IR, HR-MS, and ¹³C-NMR spectroscopic methods. The inhibitory properties of the newly synthesized compounds were calculated against the acetylcholinesterase (AChE), butyrylcholinesterase (BChE), and glutathione S-transferase (GST) enzymes. Ki values were calculated in the range of 20.06±3.11–36.86±6.17 μM for GST, 17.87±2.91–30.53±4.25 μM for AChE, 9.08±0.69–20.02±2.88 μM for BChE, respectively, Besides, IC₅₀ values were also calculated. Best binding scores of -inhibitors against used enzymes were calculated as −12.095 kcal/mol, −12.775 kcal/mol, and −9.336 kcal/mol, respectively. While 5-oxo-triazole piperidine-4-carboxamide moieties have a critical role in the inhibition of AChE and GST enzymes, hydroxy benzyl moiety is important for BChE enzyme inhibition.     

Structural and energetic understanding of novel natural inhibitors of Mycobacterium tuberculosis malate synthase

Persistent infection by Mycobacterium tuberculosis requires the glyoxylate shunt. This is a bypass to the tricarboxylic acid cycle in which isocitrate lyase (ICL) and malate synthase (MS) catalyze the net incorporation of carbon during mycobacterial growth on acetate or fatty acids as the primary carbon source. To identify a potential antitubercular compound, we performed a structure-based screening of natural compounds from the ZINC database (n = 1 67 740) against the M tuberculosis MS (MtbMS) structure. The ligands were screened against MtbMS, and 354 ligands were found to have better docking score. These compounds were assessed for Lipinski and absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, and toxicity prediction where 15 compounds were found to fit well for redocking studies. After refinement by molecular docking and drug-likeness analysis, four potential inhibitors (ZINC1483899, ZINC1754310, ZINC2269664, and ZINC15729522) were identified. These four ligands with phenyl-diketo acid were further subjected to molecular dynamics simulation to compare the dynamics and stability of the protein structure after ligand binding. The binding energy analysis was calculated to determine the intermolecular interactions. Our results suggested that the four compounds had a binding free energy of −201.96, −242.02, −187.03, and −169.02 kJ·mol⁻¹, for compounds with IDs ZINC1483899, ZINC1754310, ZINC2269664, and ZINC15729522, respectively. We concluded that two compounds (ZINC1483899 and ZINC1754310) displayed considerable structural and pharmacological properties and could be probable drug candidates to fight against M tuberculosis parasites.     

Highly potent and selective aryl-1,2,3-triazolyl benzylpiperidine inhibitors toward butyrylcholinesterase in Alzheimer's disease

Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) is the key enzyme targeted in Alzheimer's disease (AD) therapy, nevertheless butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE) has been drawing attention due to its role in the disease progression. Thus, we aimed to synthesize novel cholinesterases inhibitors considering structural differences in their peripheral site, exploiting a moiety replacement approach based on the potent and selective hAChE drug donepezil. Hence, two small series of N-benzylpiperidine based compounds have successfully been synthesized as novel potent and selective hBuChE inhibitors. The most promising compounds (9 and 11) were not cytotoxic and their kinetic study accounted for dual binding site mode of interaction, which is in agreement with further docking and molecular dynamics studies. Therefore, this study demonstrates how our strategy enabled the discovery of novel promising and privileged structures. Remarkably, compound 11 proved to be one of the most potent (0.17?nM) and selective (>58,000-fold) hBuChE inhibitor ever reported.     

Comparative density functional theory based study of the reactivity of Cu,Ag, and Au nanoparticles and of (111) surfaces toward CO oxidation and NO2 reduction

Development of multi-target drugs is becoming increasingly attractive in the repertoire of protein kinase inhibitors discovery. In this study, we carried out molecular docking, molecular dynamics simulations, molecular mechanics Poisson-Boltzmann surface area (MM-PBSA) binding free energy calculations, principal component analysis (PCA), and dynamical cross-correlation matrices (DCCM) to dissect the molecular mechanism for the valmerin-19 acting as a dual inhibitor for glycogen synthase kinase 3β (GSK3β) and cyclin-dependent kinase 5 (CDK5). Detailed MM-PBSA calculations revealed that the binding free energies of the valmerin-19 to GSK3β/CDK5 were calculated to be ?12.60?±?2.28 kcal mol^-1 and ?11.85?±?2.54 kcal mol^-1, respectively, indicating that valmerin-19 has the potential to act as a dual inhibitor of GSK3β/CDK5. The analyses of PCA and DCCM results unraveled that binding of the valmerin-19 reduced the conformational dynamics of GSK3β/CDK5 and the valmerin-19 bound to GSK3β/CDK5 might occur mostly through a conformational selection mechanism. This study may be helpful for the future design of novel and potent dual GSK3β/CDK5 inhibitors.