Biology-oriented drug synthesis (BIODS), in vitro urease inhibitory activity, and in silico studies on ibuprofen derivatives

Investigating multifaceted action of ibuprofen derivatives towards cox isozymes and interleukin-6 (IL-6) site correlating with various target sites

The multifaceted action of new ibuprofen analogs has been investigated against inflammation, neurological and pro-inflammation factors. On the basis of ADMET (absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, and toxicity) analysis, molecular docking as well as molecular dynamics simulation, compound 3 was thought to have good anti-inflammatory activity. As the presence of structural interactions such as conventional hydrogen bonds and electrostatic interactions through the nitrogen atoms of the linker in compound 3 gave strong evidence of its potency. The major finding of the current work is that the presence of appropriate number of hetero atoms (NH, OH) in a compound makes it more efficient than the number of labile groups (i.e., hydroxyl groups). Additionally, the position of hetero atoms in a compound and orientation also play a vital role in its efficacy. It was also screened for in vitro anti-inflammatory activity by membrane stability method, where it has shown 90.8% protection of RBC hemolysis. Thus, compound 3 with effective structural features may have good anti-inflammatory activity.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.

Synthesis, characterization, computational assay and anti-inflammatory activity of thiosemicarbazone derivatives: Highly potent and efficacious for COX inhibitors

Multiple studies in the literature have demonstrated that synthetic compounds containing heterocyclic rings possess a reparative potential against acute and chronic inflammation. In the present study, two novel thiosemicarbazone derivatives based on l-ethyl-6-(thiophen-2-yl)indoline-2,3-dione with different phenyl substituted thiosemicarbazides were synthesized by condensation reaction and the structures of proposed target compounds (KP-2 and KP-5) were confirmed by UV-VIS, FTIR, 1H-NMR and 13C-NMR. In-vitro anti-inflammatory behavior of KP-2 and KP-5 was confirmed by bovine serum albumin (BSA) and ovine serum albumin (OSA) analysis. Acute and chronic anti-inflammatory potential of synthesized compounds were evaluated by using carrageenan and complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) as inflammation-inducing agents, respectively. Inhibition of pro-inflammatory mediators and prevention of protein denaturation owing to synchronization of more electronegative flouro-groups substituted on phenyl rings along with heterocyclic indoline ring provides anti-inflammatory effects and are corroborated by radiological, histopathological analysis. Additional support was provided through density functional theory (DFT) and molecular docking. KP-5 exhibited excellent lead-likeness based on its physicochemical parameters, making it a viable drug candidate. The synthesized compounds also showed promising ADMET properties, enhancing their potential as therapeutic agents. These findings emphasize the pivotal role of new compounds for drug design and development.

An overview of the privileged synthetic heterocycles as urease enzyme inhibitors: Structure-activity relationship

Urease is a metalloenzyme including two Ni2+ ions, found in some plants, bacteria, fungi, microorganisms, invertebrate animals, and animal tissues. Urease acts as a significant virulence factor, mainly in catheter blockage and infective urolithiasis as well as in the pathogenesis of gastric infection. Therefore, studies on urease lead to novel synthetic inhibitors. In this review, the synthesis and antiurease activities of a collection of privileged synthetic heterocycles such as (thio)barbiturate, (thio)urea, dihydropyrimidine, and triazol derivatives were described and discussed according to structure-activity relationship findings in search of the best moieties and substituents that are answerable for encouraging the desired activity even more potent than the standard. It was found that linking substituted phenyl and benzyl rings to the heterocycles led to potent urease inhibitors.

Acetylsalicylic acid-sulfa drugs conjugates as potential urease inhibitors and anti-inflammatory agents: bio-oriented drug synthesis, molecular docking, and dynamics simulation studies

To explore the new mode of action and reduce side effects, making conjugates of existing drugs is becoming an attractive tool in the realm of medicinal chemistry. In this work, we exploited this approach and synthesized new conjugates to assess their activities against the enzymes involved in different pathological conditions. Specifically, we design and synthesized conjugates involving acetylsalicylic acid and sulfa drugs, validating the newly crafted conjugates using techniques like IR, 1HNMR, 13CNMR, and elemental analysis. These conjugates underwent assessment for their ability to inhibit cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), urease enzymes, and their anti-inflammatory potential. A competitive mode of urease inhibition was observed for acetylsalicylic acid conjugated with sulfanilamide, sulfacetamide, and sulfadiazine with IC50 of 2.49 ± 0.35 µM, 6.21 ± 0.28 µM, and 6.57 ± 0.44 µM, respectively. Remarkably, the acetylsalicylic acid-sulfamethoxazole conjugate exhibited exceptional anti-inflammatory activity, effectively curtailing induced edema by 83.7%, a result akin to the reference anti-inflammatory drug indomethacin's performance (86.8%). Additionally, it demonstrated comparable COX-2 inhibition (75.8%) to the reference selective COX-2 inhibitor celecoxib that exhibited 77.1% inhibition at 10 µM concentration. To deepen our understanding, we employed molecular docking techniques to predict the binding interactions of competitive inhibitors with COX-2 and urease receptors. Additionally, MD simulations were carried out, confirming the stability of inhibitor-target complexes throughout the simulation period, devoid of significant conformational changes. Collectively, our research underscores the potential of coupling approved medicinal compounds to usher in novel categories of pharmacological agents, holding promise for addressing a wide spectrum of pathological disorders involving COX-2 and urease enzymes.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.

Exploring the potential of propanamide-sulfonamide based drug conjugates as dual inhibitors of urease and cyclooxygenase-2: biological and their in silico studies

Derivative synthesis has been a crucial method for altering the effects of already-approved medications, especially to lessen adverse effects and enhance results. Making use of this multi-target approach, a series of naproxen-sulfa drug conjugates was designed and synthesized. The newly designed conjugates were confirmed by spectroscopic techniques like IR, 1HNMR, 13CNMR, and elemental analysis. The conjugates were screened for anti-inflammatory, urease, and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibition. Naproxen conjugated with sulfanilamide, sulfathiazole, and sulfaguanidine was found potent and showed a competitive mode of urease inhibition, with IC50 (µM) values 6.69 ± 0.11, 5.82 ± 0.28, 5.06 ± 0.29, respectively. When compared to other screened conjugates, the naproxen-sulfamethoxazole conjugation showed better anti-inflammatory action by inhibiting induced edema by 82.8%, which is comparable to the medication indomethacin (86.8% inhibition). Whereas it exhibited 75.4% inhibition of COX-2 at 10 µM concentration which is comparable with the reference drug (celecoxib, 77.1% inhibition). Moreover, the binding modes of competitive inhibitors with the urease and COX-2 receptor were predicted through molecular docking studies and their stability analysis through MD simulations showed that these compounds made stable complexes with the respective targets and there were no conformational changes that occurred during simulation. The obtained results showed that the conjugates of approved therapeutic molecules may lead to the development of novel types of pharmacological agents in the treatment of several pathological disorders where urease and COX-2 enzymes are involved.

New Acetamide-Sulfonamide-Containing Scaffolds: Antiurease Activity Screening, Structure-Activity Relationship, Kinetics Mechanism, Molecular Docking, and MD Simulation Studies

The development of novel scaffolds that can increase the effectiveness, safety, and convenience of medication therapy using drug conjugates is a promising strategy. As a result, drug conjugates are an active area of research and development in medicinal chemistry. This research demonstrates acetamide-sulfonamide scaffold preparation after conjugation of ibuprofen and flurbiprofen with sulfa drugs, and these scaffolds were then screened for urease inhibition. The newly designed conjugates were confirmed by spectroscopic techniques such as IR, 1HNMR, 13CNMR, and elemental analysis. Ibuprofen conjugated with sulfathiazole, flurbiprofen conjugated with sulfadiazine, and sulfamethoxazole were found to be potent and demonstrated a competitive mode of urease inhibition, with IC50 (µM) values of 9.95 ± 0.14, 16.74 ± 0.23, and 13.39 ± 0.11, respectively, and urease inhibition of 90.6, 84.1, and 86.1% respectively. Ibuprofen conjugated with sulfanilamide, sulfamerazine, and sulfacetamide, whereas flurbiprofen conjugated with sulfamerazine, and sulfacetamide exhibited a mixed mode of urease inhibition. Moreover, through molecular docking experiments, the urease receptor-binding mechanisms of competitive inhibitors were anticipated, and stability analysis through MD simulations showed that these compounds made stable complexes with the respective targets and that no conformational changes occurred during the simulation. The findings demonstrate that conjugates of approved therapeutic molecules may result in the development of novel classes of pharmacological agents for the treatment of various pathological conditions involving the urease enzyme.

Synthesis, in vitro biological screening and docking study of benzo[d]oxazole bis Schiff base derivatives as a potent anti-Alzheimer agent

We have synthesized benzo[d]oxazole derivatives (1-21) through a multistep reaction. Alteration in the structure of derivatives was brought in the last step via using various substituted aromatic aldehydes. In search of an anti-Alzheimer agent, all derivatives were evaluated against acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase enzyme under positive control of standard drug donepezil (IC₅₀ = 0.016 ± 0.12 and 4.5 ± 0.11 µM) respectively. In case of acetylcholinesterase enzyme inhibition, derivatives 8, 9 and 18 (IC₅₀ = 0.50 ± 0.01, 0.90 ± 0.05 and 0.3 ± 0.05 µM) showed very promising inhibitory potentials. While in case of butyrylcholinesterase enzyme inhibition, most of the derivatives like 6, 8, 9, 13, 15, 18 and 19 (IC₅₀ = 2.70 ± 0.10, 2.60 ± 0.10, 2.20 ± 0.10, 4.25 ± 0.10, 3.30 ± 0.10, 0.96 ± 0.05 and 3.20 ± 0.10 µM) displayed better inhibitory potential than donepezil. Moreover, derivative 18 is the most potent one among the series in both inhibitions. The binding interaction of derivatives with the active gorge of the enzyme was confirmed via a docking study. Furthermore, the binding interaction between derivatives and the active site of enzymes was correlated through the SAR study. Structures of all derivatives were confirmed through spectroscopic techniques such as ¹H-NMR, ¹³C-NMR and HREI-MS, respectively.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.

1,2-Dibenzoylhydrazine as a Multi-Inhibitor Compound: A Morphological and Docking Study

In the framework of the multitarget inhibitor study, we report an in silico analysis of 1,2-dibenzoylhydrazine (DBH) with respect to three essential receptors such as the ecdysone receptor (EcR), urease, and HIV-integrase. Starting from a crystallographic structural study of accidentally harvested crystals of this compound, we performed docking studies to evaluate the inhibitory capacity of DBH toward three selected targets. A crystal morphology prediction was then performed. The results of our molecular modeling calculations indicate that DBH is an excellent candidate as a ligand to inhibit the activity of EcR receptors and urease. Docking studies also revealed the activity of DBH on the HIV integrase receptor, providing an excellent starting point for developing novel inhibitors using this molecule as a starting lead compound.

Enoxacin-based derivatives: antimicrobial and antibiofilm agent: a biology-oriented drug synthesis (BIODS) approach

Background: To find alternative molecules against Klebsiella pneumonia, Proteus mirabilis and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, new enoxacin derivatives were synthesized and screened. Methods: All derivatives exhibited promising antibacterial activities as compared to standard enoxacin (2 μg/ml) and standard cefixime (82 μg/ml). Compounds 2, 3 and 5 significantly downregulated the gene expression of biofilm-forming genes. Conclusion: Based on our results, these molecules may serve as potential drug candidates to cure several bacterial infections in the future.

Developing a scaffold for urease inhibition based on benzothiazoles: Synthesis, docking analysis, and therapeutic potential

The synthesis, in silico molecular docking, and in vitro urease inhibition studies of a novel series of benzothiazole derivatives are reported. The title compounds in the two series, namely, 2-({5-[(benzothiazol-2-ylthio)methyl]-1,3,4-oxadiazol-2-yl}thio)-1-(4-substituted-phenyl)ethan-1-one and 2-(benzothiazol-2-ylthio)-1-(4-substituted-phenyl)ethan-1-one oxime, were synthesized by the reaction of benzo[d]thiazole-2-thiol with different kinds of intermediates in several steps using both conventional and microwave techniques. All compounds were found to have an excellent degree of urease-inhibitory potential ranging between 16.16 ± 0.54 and 105.32 ± 2.10 µM when compared with the standard inhibitor acetohydroxamic acid with IC₅₀  = 320.70 ± 4.24 µM. The structure-activity relationship was established in detail. The binding interactions of the compounds with the enzyme were confirmed through molecular docking. Further, 100 -ns molecular dynamics simulations were performed to investigate the stability and structural perturbations experienced by the most potent compound over the urease active site.

Synthesis of new urease enzyme inhibitors as antiulcer drug and computational study

In search of potent urease inhibitor indole analogues (1-22) were synthesized and evaluated for their urease inhibitory potential. All analogues (1-22) showed a variable degree of inhibitory interaction potential having IC₅₀ value ranging between 0.60 ± 0.05 to 30.90 ± 0.90 µM when compared with standard thiourea having IC₅₀ value 21.86 ± 0.90 µM. Among the synthesized analogues, the compounds 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 8, 12, 14, 18, 20 and 22 having IC₅₀ value 3.10 ± 0.10, 1.20 ± 0.10, 4.60 ± 0.10, 0.60 ± 0.05, 5.30 ± 0.20, 2.50 ± 0.10, 7.50 ± 0.20, 3.90 ± 0.10, 3.90 ± 0.10, 2.30 ± 0.05 and 0.90 ± 0.05 µM respectively were found many fold better than the standard thiourea. All other analogues showed better urease interaction inhibition. Structure activity relationship (SAR) has been established for all analogues containing different substituents on the phenyl ring. To understand the binding interaction of most active analogues with enzyme active site docking study were performed.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.