HOMO-LUMO photosensitization analyses of coronene-cytosine complexes

In vitro and in vivo evaluation of the antimicrobial, antioxidant, cytotoxic, hemolytic activities and in silico POM/DFT/DNA-binding and pharmacokinetic analyses of new sulfonamide bearing thiazolidin-4-ones

In this work, Schiff bases and Thiazolidin-4-ones, were synthesized using Sonication and Microwave techniques, respectively. The Schiff base derivatives (3a-b) were synthesized via the reaction of Sulfathiazole (1) with benzaldehyde derivatives (2a-b), followed by the synthesis of 4-thiazoledinone (4a-b) derivatives by cyclizing the synthesized Schiff bases through thioglycholic acid. All the synthesized compounds were characterized by spectroscopic techniques such as FT IR, NMR and HRMS. The synthesized compounds were tested for their in vitro antimicrobial and antioxidant and in vivo cytotoxicity and hemolysis ability. The synthesized compounds displayed better antimicrobial and antioxidant activity and low toxicity in comparison to reference drugs and negative controls, respectively. The hemolysis test revealed the compounds exhibit lower hemolytic effects and hemolytic values are comparatively low and the safety of compounds is in comparison with standard drugs. Theoretical calculations were carried out by using the molecular operating environment (MOE) and Gaussian computing software and observations were in good agreement with the in vitro and in vivo biological activities. Petra/Osiris/Molinspiration (POM) results indicate the presence of three combined antibacterial, antiviral and antitumor pharmacophore sites. The molecular docking revealed the significant binding affinities and non-bonding interactions between the compounds and Erwinia Chrysanthemi (PDB ID: 1SHK). The molecular dynamics simulation under in silico physiological conditions revealed a stable conformation and binding pattern in a stimulating environment. HighlightsNew series of Thaiazolidin-4-one derivatives have been synthesized.Sonication and microwave techniques are used.Antimicrobial, Antioxidant, cytotoxicity, and hemolysis activities were observed for all synthesized compounds.Molecular Docking and DFT/POM analyses have been predicted.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.

Design, Synthesis, In Silico and POM Studies for the Identification of the Pharmacophore Sites of Benzylidene Derivatives

Due to the uneven distribution of glycosidase enzyme expression across bacteria and fungi, glycoside derivatives of antimicrobial compounds provide prospective and promising antimicrobial materials. Therefore, herein, we report the synthesis and characterization of six novel methyl 4,6-O-benzylidene-α-d-glucopyranoside (MBG) derivatives (2–7). The structures were ascertained using spectroscopic techniques and elemental analyses. Antimicrobial tests (zone of inhibition, MIC and MBC) were carried out to determine their ability to inhibit the growth of different Gram-positive, Gram-negative bacteria and fungi. The highest antibacterial activity was recorded with compounds 4, 5, 6 and 7. The compounds with the most significant antifungal efficacy were 4, 5, 6 and 7. Based on the prediction of activity spectra for substances (PASS), compounds 4 and 7 have promising antimicrobial capacity. Molecular docking studies focused on fungal and bacterial proteins where derivatives 3 and 6 exhibited strong binding affinities. The molecular dynamics study revealed that the complexes formed by these derivatives with the proteins L,D-transpeptidase Ykud and endoglucanase from Aspergillus niger remained stable, both over time and in physiological conditions. Structure–activity relationships, including in vitro and in silico results, revealed that the acyl chains [lauroyl-(CH3(CH2)10CO-), cinnamoyl-(C6H5CH=CHCO-)], in combination with sugar, were found to have the most potential against human and fungal pathogens. Synthetic, antimicrobial and pharmacokinetic studies revealed that MBG derivatives have good potential for antimicrobial activity, developing a therapeutic target for bacteria and fungi. Furthermore, the Petra/Osiris/Molinspiration (POM) study clearly indicated the presence of an important (O1δ−----O2δ−) antifungal pharmacophore site. This site can also be explored as a potential antiviral moiety.

In silico discovery of potent inhibitors against monkeypox's major structural proteins

Monkeypox virus (MPXV) outbreak in non-endemic countries is a worldwide public health emergency. An enveloped double-stranded DNA virus belongs to the genus Orth poxvirus. A viral zoonotic infection known as monkeypox has been a serious risk to public health, especially in Africa. However, it has recently spread to other continents, so it might soon become a worldwide problem. There is an increased risk of transmission of the virus because there is a lack of effective treatment that cures the disease. To stop the multi-country outbreak from spreading, it is important to discover effective medications urgently. The objective of the current study is to swiftly find new treatments for the monkeypox virus using advanced computational approaches. By investigating five potential MPXV targets (DNA ligase, Palmytilated Extracellular Enveloped Virus (EEV) membrane protein, Scaffold protein D13, Thymidylate Kinase, and Viral core cysteine proteinase), this research was carried out using cutting-edge computational techniques against human monkeypox virus infection. Here we present the accurate 3D structures and their binding cavities of the selected targets with higher confidence using AlphaFold 2 and SiteMap analysis. Molecular docking and MD simulation analysis revealed the top five potential lead compounds with higher binding affinity and stability toward selected targets. Binding free energy calculations and other essential dynamics analysis supports the finding. The selected lead compounds utilizing virtual screening and drug repurposing approach reported in this study are beneficial for medical scientists and experimental biologists in drug development for the treatment of human MPXV.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.

Different metal-decorated aluminum phosphide nanotubes as hydrazine sensors for biomedical applications

B3LYP, B97D, and M06-2X density functionals are utilized for probing the effect of decorating X (X = Co, Ti, Sc, or Ca) metals on the sensing performance of an aluminum phosphide nanotube (AlPNT) in detecting the hydrazine (HZ) gas. We predict that the interaction of pristine AlPNT with HZ is physisorption, and our calculated sensing response (SR) of AlPNT is approximately 2.7. The adsorption energy of HZ changes from - 4.6 to - 21.0, - 21.9, - 22.4, and - 23.8 kcal/mol by decorating the Co, Ti, Sc, and Ca metals into the AlPNT surface, respectively. Also, Co, Ti, Sc, and Ca rise the SR to 22.5, 36.8, 50.4, and 89.0, respectively, indicating that by increasing the atomic radius of metals, the sensitivity is more increased. So, we concluded that Ca much more increases the sensitivity of AlPNT toward HZ. Our calculations demonstrate that the electrostatic interaction has the main contribution in the formation of HZ/X decorated AlPNT (X@AlPNT) complexes. The expected recovery time is 22.0 s for the HZ desorption from the Ca@AlPNT at 298 K. Finally, we found that all of the X@AlPNTs have superior sensing performance toward HZ compared to the X@carbon nanotubes.

Two multifunctional benzoquinone derivatives as small molecule organic semiconductors for bulk heterojunction and perovskite solar cells

Two novel quinone derivatives (NN3 and NN4) were synthesized in this work and they were characterized to be used as small organic semiconductor molecules in different types of photovoltaic applications. To make accessible compounds, three simple steps were followed to prepare NN3 and NN4 compounds. Furthermore, energy levels of the highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) and the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) were determined for the computationally optimized models of the investigated compounds. The obtained optical and electrochemical results of this work indicated that NN3 and NN4 compounds were good candidates for application in the fields of bulk heterojunction (BHJ) and perovskite solar cells. Indeed, investigating new energy resources has been seen an important topic of research for producing clean energies and portable storage systems.

Photosensitization of fucoxanthin-graphene complexes: A computational approach

Photosensitization of fucoxanthin-graphene (FX-GR) complexes were investigated in this work for detecting their roles of irradiating energy absorptions. To this aim, density functional theory (DFT computational approach as employed to obtain the optimized structures and their corresponding molecular orbital features. Both of original linear models of FX and its broken models, LFX and RFX, were investigated for attaching to a brigading GR molecular model. In this regard, the models were optimized to obtain the minimized energy configurations, in which for double-attachment of FG to the GR coroner atoms, Cis and Trans configurations were obtained for the FX-GR complex models. Based on the obtained achievements of molecular orbitals photosensitization features, the models were varied by the absorbed wavelengths making them suitable for various applications. In this regard, both of shorter and longer irradiated wavelengths were applicable for the purpose.

Electronic and structural features of uranium-doped graphene: DFT study

Electronic and structural features of uranium-doped models of graphene (UG) were investigated in this work by employing the density functional theory (DFT) approach. Three sizes of models were investigated based on the numbers of surrounding layers around the central U-doped region including UG1, UG2, and UG3. In this regard, stabilized structures were obtained and their electronic molecular orbital features were evaluated, accordingly. The results indicated that the stabilized structures could be obtained, in which their electronic features are indeed size-dependent. The conductivity feature was expected at a higher level for the UG3 model whereas that of the UG1 model was at a lower level. Energy levels of the highest occupied and the lowest unoccupied molecular orbitals (HOMO and LUMO) were indeed the evidence of such achievement for electronic conductivity features. As a consequence, the model size of UG could determine its electronic feature providing it for specified applications.