Synthesis of Dihydrazones as Potential Anticancer and DNA Binding Candidates: A Validation by Molecular Docking Studies

BACKGROUND

Accounting for mortality nearly one in four of human and second highest leading cause of death worldwide. Every year, about 10 million new cancers are diagnosed and causing major health issues in both developing and developed countries.

METHODS

A series of new dihydrazones were synthesized and screened for in vitro anticancer activity against three different MDA-MB-231, A546 and MCF7 cell lines and validated by DNA binding and molecular docking approaches.

RESULT

In the present investigations, synthesized compounds 21, 22, 23 and 24 exhibited potent anticancer activity against tested cancer cell lines and DNA binding study using methyl green comparing to Doxorubicin and ethidium bromide as a positive control respectively.

CONCLUSION

The Structure Activity Relationship (SAR) showed that the electron withdrawing groups (-Cl, -NO2, - F, and -Br) favored the DNA binding studies and anticancer activity whereas, electron donating groups (-OH and - OCH3) showed moderate activity. In the molecular docking study, binding interactions of the most active compounds 21, 22, 23 and 24 stacked with A-T rich regions of the DNA minor groove by surface binding interactions were confirmed. Further, the tuning of active analogs for targeted therapy was warranted.

Rapid detection of DPP-IV activity in porcine serum: A fluorospectrometric assay

Dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPP-IV) is an aminopeptidase that cleaves the N-terminal dipeptide from peptides bearing proline or alanine residues. Currently, DPP-IV activity is quantified by spectrophotometric or fluorometric methods, which employ Gly-Pro-pNA and Gly-Pro-AMC respectively, as substrate. However, these methods require high enzyme and substrate concentrations. In this study, we adapted the DPP-IV fluorospectrometric assay using NanoDrop 3300, which requires only nanogram levels of the enzyme (30 ng crude DPP-IV) and considerably low substrate concentrations (100 μM). Fluorescence measurement required a reaction mixture of only 2 μL, thus eliminating the need for microtiter plates or cuvettes.We employed this assay to demonstrate DPP-IV activity in porcine serum for the first time. The enzymatic activity peaked at pH 8.0 in porcine (84 nM/min), human (87 nM/min) and bovine (89.1 nM/min) sera, with the optimum temperature of 37 °C. The enzyme showed maximum activity upon incubation for 40 min at 37 °C. In contrast, activity in the porcine serum was the highest after incubation for 30 min at the same optimized parameters. The IC₅₀ values of diprotin A against DPP-IV from human, porcine, and bovine sera were 7.83, 8.62, 9.17 μM, respectively. The present assay procedure is a convenient, sensitive, accurate and high-throughput method suitable for primary screening of DPP-IV inhibitors.

Xanthone Conjugated Amino Acids as Potential Anticancer and DNA Binding Agents: Molecular Docking, Cytotoxicity and SAR Studies

BACKGROUND

Amino acids conjugated with heterocyclic molecules are well known for their effective bioactive properties. In search of effective anticancer agents, a series of xanthone linked amino acids 2-23 were synthesized and tested for in vitro anticancer activity.

METHODS

In vitro anticancer activity of the synthesized xanthone linked amino acids 2-23 are tested against three different cancer cell lines MCF-7, MDA-MB-435 and A549 by MTT assay and validated by DNA binding and molecular docking approaches. Doxorubicin and ethidium bromide used as standard and positive control respectively.

RESULTS

Compounds 7, 8 and 9 exhibited potent anticancer activity against tested cancer cell lines and DNA binding study using methyl green. In the molecular docking study, binding interactions of the most active compounds 7, 8 and 9 were confirmed to molecular surface of DNA.

CONCLUSION

Structure-Activity Relationship (SAR) showed that the aromatic and hydrophobic amino acids (phenylalanine, tyrosine, and tryptophan) favoured the DNA binding studies and anticancer activity whereas, aliphatic amino acids showed least anticancer activity.

Aryl fluorosulfate analogues as potent antimicrobial agents: SAR, cytotoxicity and docking studies

A series of aryl fluorosulfate analogues (1-37) were synthesized and tested for in vitro antibacterial and antifungal studies, and validated by docking studies. The compounds 9, 12, 14, 19, 25, 26, 35, 36 and 37 exhibited superior antibacterial potency against tested bacterial strains, while compounds 2, 4, 5, 15, 35, 36 and 37 were found to have better antifungal activity against tested fungal strains, compared to standard antibiotic gentamicin and ketoconazole respectively. Among all the synthesized 37 analogs, compounds 25, 26, 35, 36 and 37 displayed excellent anti-biofilm property against Staphylococcus aureus. The structure-activity relationship (SAR) revealed that the antimicrobial activity depends upon the presence of -OSO₂F group and slender effect of different substituent's on the phenyl rings. The electron donating (OCH₃) groups in analogs increase the antibacterial activity, and interestingly the electron withdrawing (Cl, NO₂, F and Br) groups increase the antifungal activity (except compound 35, 36 and 37). The mechanism of potent compounds showed membrane damage on bacteria confirmed by SEM. Compounds 35, 36 and 37 exhibited highest glide g-scores in molecular docking studies and validated the biocidal property.

Synthesis and molecular docking studies of xanthone attached amino acids as potential antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory agents

A series of novel xanthone conjugated amino acids were synthesised and characterised by analytical and spectroscopic methods. All the synthesized analogues (2-23) were screened for their in vitro antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory activities. Compounds 7, 8, 9, 12, 18, 19, 20, 21 and 23 showed excellent antimicrobial activities compared to antibacterial and antifungal reference drugs gentamicin and bavistin, respectively. Compounds 7-12 and 18-23 showed good anti-inflammatory activity compared to a standard drug, indomethacin. The preliminary structure-activity relationship revealed that tryptophan, tyrosine, phenylalanine, proline and cysteine conjugated compounds showed excellent antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory activities. This may be explained by the contribution of aromaticity and hydrophobicity of amino acids. Molecular docking studies were performed for all the synthesised compounds, among which compounds 20, 21 and 23 showed the highest docking scores for antimicrobial activity while compounds 9, 20 and 22 showed the highest docking scores for anti-inflammatory activity. Different amino acids conjugated xanthone derivatives were synthesized and evaluated for their in vitro biological activities. The conjugation was found to play a major role in improving the biological activities of those compounds.

Synthesis, SAR and molecular docking studies of benzo[d]thiazole-hydrazones as potential antibacterial and antifungal agents

A series of new benzo[d]thiazole-hydrazones analogues were synthesized and screened for their in vitro antibacterial and antifungal activities. The results revealed that compounds 13, 14, 15, 19, 20, 28 and 30 exhibited superior antibacterial potency compared to the reference drug chloramphenicol and rifampicin. Compounds 5, 9, 10, 11, 12, 28 and 30 were found to be good antifungal activity compared to the standard drug ketoconazole. A preliminary study of the structure-activity relationship (SAR) revealed that the antimicrobial activity depended on the effect of different substituents on the phenyl ring. The electron donating (OH and OCH₃) groups presented in the analogues, increase the antibacterial activity (except compound 12), interestingly, while the electron withdrawing (Cl, NO₂, F and Br) groups increase the antifungal activity (except compound 19 and 20). In addition, analogues containing thiophene (28) and indole (30) showed good antimicrobial activities. Whereas, aliphatic analogues (24-26) shown no activities in both bacterial and fungal stains even in high concentrations (100µg/mL). Molecular docking studies were performed for all the synthesized compounds of which compounds 11, 19 and 20 showed the highest glide G-score.

Synthesis of benzo[d]thiazole-hydrazone analogues: molecular docking and SAR studies of potential H+/K+ ATPase inhibitors and anti-inflammatory agents

A series of new benzo[d]thiazole-hydrazones were synthesized and characterized by analytical and spectroscopic techniques. All the compounds were screened for their in vitro inhibition of H⁺/K⁺ ATPase and anti-inflammatory effects. The results revealed that compounds 6-8, 13-15, 18-20, 22, 23 and 27-30 displayed excellent inhibitory activity against H⁺/K⁺ ATPase, and their IC₅₀ values were lower than those of the standard compound omeprazole. Compounds 2-5, 9-12, 28 and 30 exhibited better anti-inflammatory activity in comparison to the standard compound indomethacin. Studies of the structure-activity relationship (SAR) showed that electron-donating groups (OH and OCH₃) favored inhibitory activity against H⁺/K⁺ ATPase, whereas electron-withdrawing groups (F, Cl, Br and NO₂) favored anti-inflammatory activity, and derivatives with both electron-donating (OH and OCH₃) and electron-withdrawing (Br) groups (16-18) displayed reasonable activity, whereas aliphatic analogues (24-26) exhibited less activity and heterocyclic analogues (27-30) displayed moderate activity in both biological studies. Molecular docking studies were performed for all the synthesized compounds, among which compounds 19 and 20 exhibited the highest docking scores for inhibitory activity against H⁺/K⁺ ATPase, whereas compounds 10 and 12 displayed the highest docking scores for anti-inflammatory activity.

Purification and characterization of novel fibrin(ogen)olytic protease from Curcuma aromatica Salisb.: Role in hemostasis

BACKGROUND

The proteases from turmeric species have procoagulant and fibrinogenolytic activity. This provides a scientific basis for traditional use of turmeric to stop bleeding and promote wound healing processes.

PURPOSE

Our previous studies revealed that fibrinogenolytic action of crude enzyme fraction of Curcuma aromatica Salisb., was found to be more influential than those of Curcuma longa L., Curcuma caesia Roxb., Curcuma amada Roxb. and Curcuma zedoria (Christm.) Roscoe. Hence, the purpose of this study is to purify and characterize protease from C. aromatica and to explore its role in wound healing process.

METHODS

The protease was purified by Sephadex G-50 gel permeation chromatography. Peak with potent proteolytic activity was subjected to rechromatography and then checked for homogeneity by SDS-PAGE and native PAGE. Furthermore purity of the peak was assessed by RP-HPLC and MALDI-TOF. The biochemical properties, type of protease, kinetic studies, fibrinogenolytic, coagulant and fibrinolytic activities were carried out.

RESULTS

The two proteolytic peaks were fractionated in gel permeation chromatography. Among these, the peak-II showed potent proteolytic activity with specific activity of 10units/mg/min and named as C. aromatica protease-II (CAP-II). This protein resolved into a single sharp band both in SDS-PAGE (reducing and non-reducing) as well as in native (acidic) PAGE. It is a monomeric protein, showing sharp peak in RP-HPLC and its relative molecular mass was found to be 12.378kDa. The caseinolytic and fibrinolytic activity of CAP-II was completely inhibited by phenylmethylsulfonylfluoride (PMSF). The CAP-II exhibited optimum temperature of 45°C and optimum pH of 7.5. The Km and Vmax of CAP-II was found to be 1.616µg and 1.62units/mg/min respectively. The CAP-II showed hydrolysis of all three subunits of fibrinogen in the order Aα>Bß>γ. The CAP-II exhibited strong procoagulant activity by reducing the human plasma clotting time. It also showed fibrinolytic activity by complete hydrolysis of α-polymer and γ-γ dimer present in fibrin.

CONCLUSION

The CAP-II is a novel serine protease from C. aromatica, which has been demonstrated to stop bleeding and initiate wound healing through its procoagulant and fibrin(ogen)olytic activities. Our study demonstrates the possible role of CAP-II, as therapeutic enzyme to stop bleeding at the time of wounding.

Comparative analysis of procoagulant and fibrinogenolytic activity of crude protease fractions of turmeric species

ETHNAOPHARMACOLOGIAL RELEVANCE

Turmeric rhizome is a traditional herbal medicine, which has been widely used as a remedy to stop bleeding on fresh cuts and for wound healing by the rural and tribal population of India.

AIM OF THE STUDY

To validate scientific and therapeutic application of turmeric rhizomes to stop bleeding on fresh cuts and its role in wound healing process.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The water extracts of thoroughly scrubbed and washed turmeric rhizomes viz., Curcuma aromatica Salisb., Curcuma longa L., Curcuma caesia Roxb., Curcuma amada Roxb. and Curcuma zedoria (Christm.) Roscoe. were subjected to salting out and dialysis. The dialyzed crude enzyme fractions (CEFs) were assessed for proteolytic activity using casein as substrate and were also confirmed by caseinolytic zymography. Its coagulant activity and fibrinogenolytic activity were assessed using human citrated plasma and fibrinogen, respectively. The type of protease(s) in CEFs was confirmed by inhibition studies using specific protease inhibitors.

RESULTS

The CEFs of C. aromatica, C. longa and C. caesia showed 1.89, 1.21 and 1.07 folds higher proteolytic activity, respectively, compared to papain. In contrast to these, C. amada and C. zedoria exhibited moderate proteolytic activity. CEFs showed low proteolytic activities compared to trypsin. The proteolytic activities of CEFs were confirmed by caseinolytic zymography. The CEFs of C. aromatica, C. longa and C. caesia showed complete hydrolysis of Aα, Bβ and γ subunits of human fibrinogen, while C. amada and C. zedoria showed partial hydrolysis. The CEFs viz., C. aromatica, C. longa, C. caesia, C. amada and C. zedoria exhibited strong procoagulant activity by reducing the human plasma clotting time from 172s (Control) to 66s, 84s 88s, 78s and 90s, respectively. The proteolytic activity of C. aromatica, C. longa, C. caesia and C. amada was inhibited (>82%) by PMSF, suggesting the possible presence of a serine protease(s). However, C. zedoria showed significant inhibition (60%) against IAA and moderate inhibition (30%) against PMSF, indicating the presence of cysteine and serine protease(s).

CONCLUSION

The CEFs of turmeric species exhibited strong procoagulant activity associated with fibrinogenolytic activity. This study provides the scientific credence to turmeric in its propensity to stop bleeding and wound healing process practiced by traditional Indian medicine.

MOLPRINT 2D-based identification and synthesis of novel chromene based small molecules that target PLA2: validation through chemo- and bioinformatics approaches

A chemoinformatics approach identified 2-Amino-4-(2′-methyl-[1,1′-biphenyl]-4-yl)-5-oxo-4,5-dihydropyrano[3,2-c]chromene-3-carbonitrile as a snake venom PLA2 inhibitor, this was confirmed with an IC₅₀ = 12.5 μM.

A facile assay to monitor secretory phospholipase A₂ using 8-anilino-1-naphthalenesulfonic acid

Secretory phospholipases A2 (sPLA2s) are present in snake venoms, serum, and biological fluids of patients with various inflammatory, autoimmune and allergic disorders. Lipid mediators in the inflammatory processes have potential value for controlling phospholipid metabolism through sPLA2 inhibition. Thus, it demands the need for screening of potential leads for sPLA2 inhibition. To date, sPLA2 activity has been assayed using expensive radioactive or chromogenic substrates, thereby limiting a large number of assays. In this study, a simple and sensitive NanoDrop assay was developed using non-fluorogenic and non-chromogenic phospholipid substrate 1,2-dimyristoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DMPC) and 8-anilino-1-naphthalenesulfonic acid (ANS) as interfacial hydrophobic probe. The modified assay required a 10ng concentration of sPLA2. ANS, as a strong anion, binds predominantly to cationic group of choline head of DMPC through ion pair formation, imparting hydrophobicity and lipophilicity and resulting in an increase in fluorescence. Triton X-100 imparts correct geometrical space during sPLA2 catalyzing DMPC, releasing lysophospholipid and acidic myristoyl acid, which in turn alters the hydrophobic environment prevailing around ANS-DMPC, which leads to weakening of the electrostatic ion pair interaction between DMPC and ANS ensuing decrease in fluorescence. These characteristic fluorescence changes between DMPC and ANS in response to sPLA2 catalysis are well documented and validated in this study.

Ascorbic acid 6-palmitate: a potent inhibitor of human and soybean lipoxygenase-dependent lipid peroxidation

OBJECTIVES

Lipoxygenases (LOX) are the key enzymes involved in the biosynthesis of leukotrienes and reactive oxygen species, which are implicated in pathophysiology of inflammatory disorders. This study was conducted to evaluate the inhibitory effect of water-soluble antioxidant ascorbic acid and its lipophilic derivative, ascorbic acid 6-palmitate (Vcpal) on polymorphonuclear lymphocyte 5-LOX and soybean 15-LOX (sLOX) in vitro.

METHODS

LOX activity was determined by measuring the end products, 5-hydroperoxy eicosatetraenoic acid (5-HETE) and lipid hydroperoxides, by spectrophotometric and high performance liquid chromatography methods. The substrate-dependent enzyme kinetics and docking studies were carried out to understand the nature of inhibition.

KEY FINDINGS

Vcpal potently inhibited 5-LOX when compared with its inhibitory effect on sLOX (IC50; 2.5 and 10.3 μm respectively, P = 0.003). Further, Vcpal inhibited 5-LOX more strongly than the known synthetic drugs: phenidone and nordihydroguaiaretic acid (P = 0.0007). Enzyme kinetic studies demonstrated Vcpal as a non-competitive reversible inhibitor of 5-LOX. In-silico molecular docking revealed high MolDock and Rerank score for Vcpal than ascorbic acid, complementing in-vitro results.

CONCLUSION

Both in-vitro and docking studies demonstrated Vcpal but not ascorbic acid as a non-competitive inhibitor of 5-LOX- and sLOX-induced lipid peroxidation, suggesting a key role for lipophilic nature in bringing about inhibition.

1-(3-Bromo-2-thien-yl)ethanone

In the title compound, C(6)H(5)BrOS, the non-H and aromatic H atoms lie on a crystallographic mirror plane. In the crystal, mol-ecules are linked into chains propagating along the c axis by inter-molecular C-H⋯O hydrogen bonds.