Docking and PLS Studies on a Set of Thiophenes RNA Polymerase Inhibitors Against Staphylococcus aureus

Synthetic and Semisynthetic Compounds as Antibacterials Targeting Virulence Traits in Resistant Strains: A Narrative Updated Review

This narrative review paper provides an up-to-date overview of the potential of novel synthetic and semisynthetic compounds as antibacterials that target virulence traits in resistant strains. The review focused on research conducted in the last five years and investigated a range of compounds including azoles, indoles, thiophenes, glycopeptides, pleuromutilin derivatives, lactone derivatives, and chalcones. The emergence and spread of antibiotic-resistant bacterial strains is a growing public health concern, and new approaches are urgently needed to combat this threat. One promising approach is to target virulence factors, which are essential for bacterial survival and pathogenesis, but not for bacterial growth. By targeting virulence factors, it may be possible to reduce the severity of bacterial infections without promoting the development of resistance. We discuss the mechanisms of action of the various compounds investigated and their potential as antibacterials. The review highlights the potential of targeting virulence factors as a promising strategy to combat antibiotic resistance and suggests that further research is needed to identify new compounds and optimize their efficacy. The findings of this review suggest that novel synthetic and semisynthetic compounds that target virulence factors have great potential as antibacterials in the fight against antibiotic resistance.

Limonene-carvacrol: A combination of monoterpenes with enhanced antileishmanial activity

BACKGROUND

Leishmaniasis is a parasitosis with a wide incidence in developing countries. The drugs which are indicated for the treatment of this infection usually are able to promote high toxicity.

PURPOSE

A combination of limonene and carvacrol, monoterpenes present in plants with antiparasitic activity may constitute an alternative for the treatment of these diseases.

METHODS

In this study, the antileishmania activity against Leishmania major, cytotoxicity tests, assessment of synergism, parasite membrane damage tests as well as molecular docking and immunomodulatory activity of limonene-carvacrol (Lim-Car) combination were evaluated.

RESULTS

The Lim-Car combination (5:0; 1:1; 1:4; 2:3; 3:2; 4:1 and 0:5) showed potential antileishmania activity, with mean inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀) ranging from 5.8 to 19.0 μg.mL^-1. They demonstrated mean cytotoxic concentration (CC₅₀) ranging from 94.1 to 176.0 μg.mL^-1, and did not show significant hemolytic effect. In the investigation of synergistic interaction, the 4:1 Lim-Car combination showed better fractional inhibitory concentration (FIC) index as well as better activity on amastigotes and IS. The samples caused considerable damage to the parasite membrane this monoterpene activity seems to be more related to Trypanothione Reductase (TryR) enzyme interaction, demonstrated in the molecular docking assay. In addition, the 4:1 Lim-Car combination stimulated macrophage activation, and showed at was the best association, with reduction of infection and infectivity of parasitized macrophages.

CONCLUSION

The 4:1 Lim-Car combination appears to be a promising candidate as a monotherapeutic antileishmania agent.

Evaluation of anti-inflammatory activity and molecular docking study of new aza-bicyclic isoxazoline acylhydrazone derivatives

The aim of this study was to investigate the anti-inflammatory effects of two new isoxazoline-acylhydrazone derivatives: N'-(4-methoxybenzylidene)-6-(4-nitro-benzoyl)-3a,5,6,6a-tetrahydro-4H-pyrrolo[3,2-d]isoxazole-3-carbohydrazide (R-123) and N'-(4-chlorobenzylidene)-6-(4-chlorobenzoyl)-3a,5,6,6a-tetrahydro-4H-pyrrolo[3,2-d]isoxazole-3-carbohydrazide (R-99). An air pouch induced by carrageenan was used for screening the best dose of R-99 and R-123. Using this mouse model, leukocyte migration and cytokine levels (TNF-α and IL-1β) were determined. Paw edema induced by several phlogistic agents and vascular permeability induced by acetic acid were employed to investigate the mechanism of action of the isoxazoline-acylhydrazone derivatives. A docking study was performed with the human histamine H1 receptor to investigate potential antihistaminic activity. Treatment with the compounds reduced leukocyte migration in the air pouch at all doses tested. TNF-α and IL-1β levels were similarly reduced by the two compounds. Vasoactive amines were inhibited in models of paw edema induced by several agents and vascular permeability induced by acetic acid. The docking study suggests that R-99 and R-123 may be inhibitors of the histamine H1 receptor. In conclusion, the results indicate that R-99 and R-123 exhibit promising anti-inflammatory activity related to their ability to inhibit TNF-α, IL-1β, and vasoactive amine production, as well as reduce leukocyte migration and inhibit mast cell degranulation.

Monte Carlo-based quantitative structure-activity relationship models for toxicity of organic chemicals to Daphnia magna

Quantitative structure-activity relationships (QSARs) for toxicity of a large set of 758 organic compounds to Daphnia magna were built up. The simplified molecular input-line entry system (SMILES) was used to represent the molecular structure. The Correlation and Logic (CORAL) software was utilized as a tool to develop the QSAR models. These models are built up using the Monte Carlo method and according to the principle "QSAR is a random event" if one checks a group of random distributions in the visible training set and the invisible validation set. Three distributions of the data into the visible training, calibration, and invisible validation sets are examined. The predictive potentials (i.e., statistical characteristics for the invisible validation set of the best model) are as follows: n = 87, r²  = 0.8377, root mean square error = 0.564. The mechanistic interpretations and the domain of applicability of built models are suggested and discussed. Environ Toxicol Chem 2016;35:2691-2697. © 2016 SETAC.