Co and Zn Metal Phthalocyanines with Bulky Substituents: Anticancer, Antibacterial Activities and Their Inhibitory Effects on Some Metabolic Enzymes with Molecular Docking Studies

Synthesis, biological activities, and molecular docking studies of triazolo[4,3-b]triazine derivatives as a novel class of α-glucosidase and α-amylase inhibitors

In diabetes mellitus, amylase and glucosidase enzymes are the primary triggers. The main function of these enzymes is to break macromolecules into simple sugar units, which directly affect blood sugar levels by increasing blood permeability. To overcome this metabolic effect, there is a need for a potent and effective inhibitor capable of suppressing the enzymatic conversion of sugar macromolecules into their smaller units. Herein, we reported the discovery of a series of substituted triazolo[4,3-b][1,2,4]triazine derivatives as α-glucosidase and α-amylase inhibitors. All target compounds demonstrated significant inhibitory activities against α-glucosidase and α-amylase enzymes compared with acarbose as the positive control. The most potent compound 10k, 2-[(6-phenyl-[1,2,4]triazolo[4,3-b][1,2,4]triazin-3-yl)thio]-N-[4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]acetamide, demonstrated IC50 values of 31.87 and 24.64 nM against α-glucosidase and α-amylase enzymes, respectively. To study their mechanism of action, kinetic studies were also done, which determined the mode of inhibition of both enzymes. Molecular docking was used to confirm the binding interactions of the most active compounds.

Antioxidant enzyme activities, molecular docking studies, MM-GBSA, and molecular dynamic of chlorpyrifos in freshwater fish Capoeta umbla

Chlorpyrifos (CPF), which was started to be used in 1965, is a broad spectrum organophosphate insecticide that is used more and more day by day. Commonly used to control pests in farmland and homes, CPF is more toxic to fish than organochlorine compounds. CPF poses a serious threat to the health of humans and aquatic organisms. This paper studies the relationship between CPF exposure and antioxidant enzyme activities in gill, kidney and liver tissues of Capoeta umbla. Different time intervals (12, 24, 48, 72, and 96 h) and CPF doses (55 and 110 µg L-1) were used in the study. Spectrophotometrical measures were taken in all tissues for antioxidant enzyme activities and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, as indices of the lipid peroxidation (LPO). A positive relationship between CPF and MDA levels was found in the study at a statistically significant level (p < 0.05). The study also found a negative relationship between CPF levels and catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and glutathione reductase (GR) activity. Independent variables in the study can act as biomarkers of CPF exposure. The study recommends employing proper ecotoxicological risk evaluations in cases of CPF usage as a pesticide. The activities of the studied molecules against various proteins that are crystal structure of human peroxiredoxin 5 (PDB ID: 1HD2) has docking score value is -2.67, crystal structure of Bovine Xanthine Oxidase (PDB ID: 3NRZ) has docking score value is -3.76, and crystal structure of antibacterial FabH (PDB ID: 4Z8D) has docking score value is -3.16, were compared. Molecular dynamic (MD) calculations were made in 100 ns. MM/GBSA methods are calculated binding free energy. Afterwards, ADME/T analysis was performed to examine the some properties of the molecules.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.

Spectroscopic and molecular modeling studies of binding interaction between the new complex of yttrium and 1,10-phenanthroline derivatives with DNA and BSA

In this study, the 4,9 diazafluoren-9-one ligand and [Y(Daf)2Cl3.OH2] complex were synthesized. The interaction of this complex with DNA and bovine serum albumin (BSA) was investigated by UV-vis and fluorescence spectroscopy. The molecular docking method was used to confirm the experimental results, investigate the type of interaction, and determine the binding site. The binding constant and Stern-Volmer constant were calculated using spectroscopy techniques. The binding constant of the Y-complex with DNA and BSA obtained using the UV-vis technique was 1.61 × 105 M-1 and 0.49 × 105 M-1, while that obtained using the fluorescence method was 3.39 × 105 M-1 and 3.63 × 105 M-1, respectively. The results of experimental and theoretical data showed that the interaction between the yttrium complex and DNA and BSA is driven by the hydrogen bond and van der Waals interaction, respectively. The yttrium complex communicates with DNA via the groove interaction. This complex has high binding energy with bovine serum albumin. In addition, the molecular docking results showed that the complex binds to the IIA subdomain of BSA (site I). Finally, anticancer activity of the yttrium complex was studied on MCF-7 and A549 cell lines by using the MTT method. The IC50 values obtained showed that the yttrium complex possesses anticancer activity.

A review on α-glucosidase inhibitory activity of first row transition metal complexes: a futuristic strategy for treatment of type 2 diabetes

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is characterized by high blood glucose levels and has emerged as a controversial public health issue worldwide. The increasing number of patients with T2DM on one hand, and serious long-term complications of the disease such as obesity, neuropathy, and vascular disorders on the other hand, have induced a huge economic impact on society globally. In this regard, inhibition of α-glucosidase, the enzyme responsible for the hydrolysis of carbohydrates in the body has been the main therapeutic approach to the treatment of T2DM. As α-glucosidase inhibitors (α-GIs) have occupied a special position in the current research and prescription drugs are generally α-GIs, researchers have been encouraged to design and synthesize novel and efficient inhibitors. Previously, the presence of a sugar moiety seemed to be crucial for designing α-GIs since they can attach to the carbohydrate binding site of the enzyme mimicking the structure of disaccharides or oligosaccharides. However, inhibitors lacking glycosyl structures have also shown potent inhibitory activity and development of non-sugar based inhibitors is accelerating. In this respect, in vitro anti-α-glucosidase activity of metal complexes has attracted lots of attention and this paper has reviewed the inhibitory activity of first-row transition metal complexes toward α-glucosidase and discussed their probable mechanisms of action.