Machine Learning and In Vitro Chemical Screening of Potential α-Amylase and α-Glucosidase Inhibitors from Thai Indigenous Plants

Insights into the structure-activity relationship of pyrimidine-sulfonamide analogues for targeting BRAF V600E protein

B-rapidly accelerated fibrosarcoma (BRAF) V600E plays a crucial role in the progression of cutaneous melanoma. Core structures of BRAF V600E inhibitors are based on pyrimidine-sulfonamide scaffolds. Exploring the QSAR of these structures can improve our understanding of BRAF V600E inhibitor drug design. This study utilized machine learning-based QSAR to elucidate chemical substructures of pyrimidine-sulfonamide analogues that correlated to the BRAF V600E inhibitory activity. The findings indicate that the support vector regression (SVR) combined with 15 fingerprints achieved the highest statistical performances in terms of goodness-of-fit, robustness, and predictability. Nine key fingerprints from pyrimidine-sulfonamide analogues were identified to exert the BRAF V600E inhibitory activity. These key fingerprints were validated using network-based activity cliff landscape and molecular docking. Together, the developed algorithm can serve as a screening tool for designing BRAF V600E inhibitors. To further utilize this model, we deployed our developed algorithm at https://qsarlabs.com/#braf.

Phytochemical Screening on Phenolic, Flavonoid Contents, and Antioxidant Activities of Six Indigenous Plants Used in Traditional Thai Medicine

The antioxidant activity of a traditional Thai formula has been studied and compared to each plant. The formula comprised the roots of Caesalpinia digyna Rottler, Huberantha cerasoides (Roxb.) Benth), Oxyceros horridus Lour, Antidesma ghaesembilla Gaerth, Combretum quadrangulare Kurz, and Ziziphus cambodiana Pierre. The stem was also studied in comparison. The ethanolic extract from each plant part and the mixed plants mimicking the traditional formula were prepared and investigated for antioxidant capability in vitro via DPPH radical scavenging and ferric-reducing antioxidant power assays. The phytochemical constituents were determined by chemical screening, total phenolic (TPC) and flavonoid contents (TFC), and high-performance liquid chromatography. The relationship between antioxidant activity and the contributed phytochemicals was determined using correlation analysis and principal component analysis (PCA). Results showed that extracts from both parts of the plant formula showed the highest antioxidant activity compared to a single plant extract. Among the six plants, C. digyna exhibited the highest TPC and antioxidant activity. TPC had a strong positive correlation with antioxidant activity. PCA revealed that gallic acid contributed to the antioxidant activity. In conclusion, the ethanolic extracts of the traditional formula and C. digyna have the potential for further chemical characterization and study related to antioxidant activity.

Diabetes-Related Mechanisms of Action Involved in the Therapeutic Effect of Croton Species: A Systematic Review

Over the years, ethnopharmacological and phytochemical investigations have been conducted to understand the potential effects of the Croton genus on several diseases. It has been revealed that these terpenoid-rich species traditionally used to treat gastrointestinal diseases, heal wounds, and relieve pain have a wide range of therapeutic effects; however, those used to treat diabetes, as well as their action mechanisms, have not been reviewed so far. Therefore, the main objective of this review was to compile all Croton species that have shown pharmacological effects against diabetes and describe their action mechanisms. Through a search of the literature, 17 species with hypoglycemic, antihyperglycemic, antilipidemic, antihypertensive, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory effects were found. Among the mechanisms by which they exerted these effects were the inhibition of α-glucosidases, the promotion of insulin secretion, and the increase in glucose uptake. Interestingly, it was found that some of them may have antihyperglycemic properties, although there were no ethnopharmacological reports that support their traditional use. Moreover, others only presented studies on their hypoglycemic effect in fasting, so further works are encouraged to describe the mechanisms involved in lowering fasting blood glucose levels, such as hepatic glucose production, especially for C. cajucara, C. cuneatus, C. gratissimus var. gratissimus, C. guatemalensis, and C. membranaceus. It is expected that this review contributes to the plant science knowledge of the genus, and it can be used in future references on the identification and development of new molecules/phytomedicines that help in the treatment of diabetes.

Review: Machine learning in precision pharmacotherapy of type 2 diabetes-A promising future or a glimpse of hope?

Precision pharmacotherapy of diabetes requires judicious selection of the optimal therapeutic agent for individual patients. Artificial intelligence (AI), a swiftly expanding discipline, holds substantial potential to transform current practices in diabetes diagnosis and management. This manuscript provides a comprehensive review of contemporary research investigating drug responses in patient subgroups, stratified via either supervised or unsupervised machine learning approaches. The prevalent algorithmic workflow for investigating drug responses using machine learning involves cohort selection, data processing, predictor selection, development and validation of machine learning methods, subgroup allocation, and subsequent analysis of drug response. Despite the promising feature, current research does not yet provide sufficient evidence to implement machine learning algorithms into routine clinical practice, due to a lack of simplicity, validation, or demonstrated efficacy. Nevertheless, we anticipate that the evolving evidence base will increasingly substantiate the role of machine learning in molding precision pharmacotherapy for diabetes.

Synthesis and bioactivities evaluation of quinazolin-4(3H)-one derivatives as α-glucosidase inhibitors

The development of new antidiabetes agents is necessary to obtain optimal glycemic control and overcome its complications. Different quinazolin-4(3H)-one bearing phenoxy-acetamide derivatives (7a–r) were designed and synthesized to develop α-glucosidase inhibitors. All the synthesized derivatives were evaluated against α-glucosidase in vitro and among them, compound 7b showed the highest α-glucosidase inhibition with an IC50 of 14.4 µM, which was ∼53 times stronger than that of acarbose. The inhibition kinetic studies showed that the inhibitory mechanism of compound 7b was a competitive type towards α-glucosidase. Also, molecular docking studies analyzed the interaction between the most potent derivative and α-glucosidase. Current findings indicate the new potential of quinazolin-4(3H)-ones that could be used for the development of novel agents against diabetes mellitus.

Dipterocarpol in Oleoresin of Dipterocarpus alatus Attributed to Cytotoxicity and Apoptosis-Inducing Effect

Dipterocarpus alatus Roxb. ex G. Don is widely found in Southeast Asia. Its oleo-resin has reportedly been used in biodiesel production. Two different biodiesel production processes produce resinous byproducts, namely degumming (DG) and distillation (DT). Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry identified sesquiterpenes and triterpenes in oleo-resin, DG, and DT; and long-chain hydrocarbons in oleo-resin. High-performance liquid chromatography detected dipterocarpol as a marker compound, with the highest to lowest amounts detected in DG, DT, and oleo-resin, respectively. Oleo-resin, DG, and DT exerted more cytotoxicity than dipterocarpol, and melphalan, a chemotherapeutic drug. Oleo-resin, DG, and DT exerted cytotoxicity to a different degree in T cell leukemia (Jurkat), cervical adenocarcinoma (HeLa), and human hepatocellular carcinoma (HepG2) cells, while the highest selectivity was found in the Jurkat cells compared to the non-cancer Vero cells. Dipterocarpol exhibited the highest cytotoxicity in HepG2 cells and the lowest cytotoxicity in Jurkat cells. Oleo-resin, DG, and DT induced apoptosis in Jurkat cells. In oleo-resin, DG, and DT, dipterocarpol and other compounds may act in synergy leading to cytotoxicity and an apoptosis-inducing effect. Oleo-resin, DG, and DT could be potential sources for anticancer agents. Dipterocarpol could serve as a biomarker for follow ups on the anticancer activity of a sample from D. alatus.