Campesterol Semi-Synthetic Derivatives as Potential Antibacterial: in vitro and in silico Evaluation

In this study, twelve campesterol derivatives ( 2 – 13 ) were prepared by esterification reaction at the hydroxy group in C-3 and catalytic hydrogenation at the carbon-carbon double bond in C-5(6). All obtained compounds were characterized by IR, ¹H-NMR, ¹³C-NMR, and MS spectra. Campesterol ( 1 ) and its derivatives ( 2 – 13 ) were evaluated in vitro against Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 6538), Streptococcus mutans (ATCC 0046), Escherichia coli (ATCC 10536), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC 15442), and Klebsiella pneumoniae (ATCC 10031) using the microdilution method. Among tested compounds, 4 , 6 , 9 , 11 , 12 , and 13 displayed the best antibacterial activity. Moreover, to support the antibacterial activity experiments, the investigation of molecular interactions of more active compounds, and also compound 1 and neomycin, used as starting material and positive control, respectively, at the binding site of the target proteins was performed using molecular docking simulations. Four compounds ( 7 , 9 , 10 and 11 ) are herein described for the first time.     

A New Apotirucallane from Walsura trichostemon Leaves and Its Antibacterial and α-Glucosidase Inhibitory Activities

Phytochemical investigation of Walsura trichostemon leaves led to the isolation of a new apotirucallane-type triterpenoid, 11,25-dideacetyl-16-hydroxytrichostemonate ( 1 ), along with two known apotirucallane-type triterpenoids ( 2 and 3 ), two known tirucallane-type triterpenes ( 4 and 5 ), and two known steroids ( 6 and 7 ). Their structures were identified by intensive analysis of 1D and 2D nuclear magnetic resonance, infrared, and mass spectrometry data, which were compared with data reported in the literature. Compounds 2 , 3 , and 5 exhibited moderate antibacterial activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa (minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) value: 64 μg/mL), and compound 4 showed weak antibacterial activity against P. aeruginosa (MIC: 128 μg/mL). Furthermore, compound 5 displayed activity against Bacillus cereus (MIC: 64 μg/mL). In addition, compound 4 showed stronger α-glucosidase inhibitory activity than the control, acarbose. The active compound 4 was subjected to molecular docking experiments using AutoDock4 and revealed precise interactions with the active gorge of the enzyme through hydrogen bonding, supporting the in vitro results.     

Experimental and theoretical investigations of Dy(III) complex with 2,2′-bipyridine ligand: DNA and BSA interactions and antimicrobial activity study

Abstract

In this study, the interactions of a novel metal complex [Dy(bpy)₂Cl₃.OH₂] (bpy is 2,2'-bipyridine) with fish salmon DNA (FS-DNA) and bovine serum albumin (BSA) were investigated by experimental and theoretical methods. All results suggested significant binding between the Dy(III) complex with FS-DNA and BSA. The binding constants (K_b), Stern-Volmer quenching constants (K_SV) of Dy(III)-complex with FS-DNA and BSA at various temperatures as well as thermodynamic parameters using Van’t Hoff equation were obtained. The experimental results from absorption, ionic strength, iodide ion quenching, ethidium bromide (EtBr) quenching studies and positive ΔH? and ΔS? suggested that hydrophobic groove-binding mode played a predominant role in the binding of Dy(III)-complex with FS-DNA. Indeed, the molecular docking results for DNA-binding were in agreement with experimental data. Besides, the results found from experimental and molecular modeling indicated that the Dy(III)-complex bound to BSA via Van der Waals interactions. Moreover, the results of competitive tests by phenylbutazone, ibuprofen, and hemin (as a site-I, site-II and site-III markers, respectively) considered that the site-III of BSA is the most possible binding site for Dy(III)-complex. In addition, Dy(III) complex was concurrently screened for its antimicrobial activities. The presented data provide a promising platform for the development of novel metal complexes that target nucleic acids and proteins with antimicrobial activity.

Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma     

Design,synthesis, and biological evaluation of novel iso-flavones derivatives as H3R antagonists

Histamine H₃ receptor (H₃R), a kind of G-protein coupled receptor (GPCR), is expressed mainly in the central nervous system (CNS) and plays a vital role in homoeostatic control. This study describes the design and synthesis of a series of novel H₃R antagonists based on the iso-flavone scaffold. The results of the bioactivity evaluation show that four compounds (1c, 2c, 2h, and 2o) possess significant H₃R inhibitory activities. Molecular docking indicates that a salt bridge, π–π T-shape interactions, and hydrophobic interaction all contribute to the interaction between compound 2h and H₃R.     

香茅精油的抑菌和抗氧化活性研究

选用产自福建厦门的香茅(Cymbopogon nardus),测定香茅精油对白色粘性沙雷氏菌、红色粘性沙雷氏菌、大肠杆菌、金黄葡萄球菌、铜绿假单胞菌和紫色杆菌等6种菌的抑菌活性,并利用ABTS^.+自由基清除法以及超氧阴离子清除法研究香茅精油的抗氧化活性。结果表明,新鲜香茅精油的平均提取率为0.29,对6种供试菌种都有较高的抑制作用,其中对紫色杆菌的抑制活性最强,且香茅精油有极高的清除ABTS^.+自由基以及超氧阴离子自由基的能力,证明香茅精油具有广谱抑菌活性及强抗氧化活性。     

Synthesis,antibacterial and anticancer activity,and docking study of aminoguanidines containing an alkynyl moiety

Abstract

Two series of aminoguanidines containing an alkynyl moiety were designed, synthesised, and screened for antibacterial and anticancer activities. Generally, the series 3a–3j with a 1,2-diphenylethyne exhibited better antibacterial activity than the other series (6a–6k) holding 1,4-diphenylbuta-1,3-diyne moiety antibacterial activity. Most compounds in series 3a–3j showed potent growth inhibition against the tested bacterial strains, with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values in the range 0.25–8?µg/mL. Compound 3g demonstrated rapid and persistent bactericidal activity at 2?×?MIC. The resistance study revealed that resistance of the tested bacteria towards 3g is not easily developed. Molecular docking studies revealed that compounds 3g and 6e bind strongly to the LpxC and FabH enzymes. Moreover, excellent activity of selected compounds against the growth of cancer cell lines A549 and SGC7901 was also observed, with IC₅₀ values in the range 0.30–4.57?µg/mL. These findings indicate that compounds containing the aminoguanidine moiety are promising candidates for the development of new antibacterial and anticancer agents.     

Discovery of novel PDE9A inhibitors with antioxidant activities for treatment of Alzheimer’s disease

Phosphodiesterase-9 (PDE9) is a promising target for treatment of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). To discover multifunctional anti-AD agents with capability of PDE9 inhibition and antioxidant activity, a series of novel pyrazolopyrimidinone derivatives, coupling with the pharmacophore of antioxidants such as ferulic and lipolic acids have been designed with the assistance of molecular docking and dynamics simulations. Twelve out of 14 synthesised compounds inhibited PDE9A with IC₅₀ below 200?nM, and showed good antioxidant capacities in the ORAC assay. Compound 1h, the most promising multifunctional anti-AD agent, had IC₅₀ of 56?nM against PDE9A and good antioxidant ability (ORAC (trolox)?=?3.3). The selectivity of 1h over other PDEs was acceptable. In addition, 1h showed no cytotoxicity to human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells. The analysis on structure-activity relationship (SAR) and binding modes of the compounds may provide insight into further modification.     

Synthesis,antitumour and antioxidant activities of novel α,β-unsaturated ketones and related heterocyclic analogues: EGFR inhibition and molecular modelling study

New α,β-unsaturated ketones 4a,b; 5a–c; and 6a,b; as well as 4-H pyran 7; pyrazoline 8a,b; isoxazoline 9; pyridine 10–11; and quinoline-4-carboxylic acid 12a,b derivatives were synthesized and evaluated for in vitro antitumour activity against HepG2, MCF-7, HeLa, and PC-3 cancer cell lines. Antioxidant activity was investigated by the ability of these compounds to scavenge the 2,2′-azinobis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) radical cation (ABTS^?+). Compounds 6a, 6b, 7, and 8b exhibited potent antitumour activities against all tested cell lines with [IC₅₀] ?5.5–18.1 µΜ), in addition to significantly high ABTS^?+ scavenging activities. In vitro EGFR kinase assay for 6a, 6b, 7, and 8b as the most potent antitumour compounds showed that; compounds 6b, and 7 exhibited worthy EGFR inhibition activity with IC₅₀ values of 0.56 and 1.6?µM, respectively, while compounds 6a and 8b showed good inhibition activity with IC₅₀ values of 4.66 and 2.16?µM, respectively, compared with sorafenib reference drug (IC₅₀?=?1.28?µM). Molecular modelling studies for compounds 6b, 7, and 8b were conducted to exhibit the binding mode towards EGFR kinase, which showed similar interaction with erlotinib.