ADMET Evaluation Research Articles

Phytochemical profiling, molecular docking, and ADMET evaluation of essential oils from Anaphalis busua and Anaphalis margaritacea in Uttarakhand's Himalayan Terrain

BackgroundThe study focuses on a comparative analysis of essential oils derived from two species of the Anaphalis genus, namely Anaphalis busua and Anaphalis margaritacea, collected at varying elevations in the hilly terrain of Uttarakhand. The investigation aims to explore the phytochemical composition, conduct in silico molecular docking studies, and evaluate ADMET properties of the essential oils to understand their potential bioactivity. MethodsEssential oils were extracted from the whole plants using the hydrodistillation method, and GC–MS was employed for compound identification. A total of 31 compounds were identified in A. busua and 32 in A. margaritacea, constituting 87.86 % and 87.83 % of the total composition, respectively. Major compounds included isocaryophyllene, caryophyllene oxide, geranyl-α-terpinene, α-pinene, γ-muurolene, δ-cadinene, humulene, and copaene. ResultsMolecular docking studies were conducted using PyRx software on ten notable compounds as ligands, targeting cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and human peroxiredoxin 5 to assess antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. Isocaryophyllene, with concentrations of 14.07 % (A. busua) and 17.82 % (A. margaritacea), exhibited significant binding affinities of -5.7 and -7.2 kcal/mol against 1HD2 and 4COX, respectively. ConclusionThe research provides valuable insights into the chemical composition of essential oils from Anaphalis plants and validates their bioactive potential through in silico analysis. Isocaryophyllene emerges as a key compound with noteworthy binding affinities, emphasizing its importance in the medicinal and pharmacological applications of essential oils derived from A. busua and A. margaritacea. The results enhance our understanding of the therapeutic potential of Anaphalis essential oils, opening avenues for future research in natural products and drug discovery.

In silico design and ADMET evaluation of new inhibitors for PIM1 kinase using QSAR studies, molecular docking, and molecular dynamic simulation

The proviral Integration site of Moloney (PIM) kinase is highly expressed in various diseases, including cancer, making the development of selective inhibitors for this protein important. A series of PIM1 inhibitors, triazolo [4, 3-b] pyridazin-3-yl-quinoline derivatives, have been studied to design new inhibitors. The activity and structural features of these derivatives were investigated to understand their interactions with PIM1 using molecular docking, molecular dynamic simulation, and QSAR techniques.In a study of 30 compounds using the structure-activity technique and the MLR method, a linear model with R2train = 0.91 and R2test = 0.96 was obtained. The model utilized descriptors such as RDF080v, RDF105v, RDF135v, Mor03v, and H046 to express the structural characteristics of the inhibitors. To enhance the model, the SVR non-linear method with the RBF function was also used, resulting in an improved model with R2train = 0.98 and R2test = 0.98.Furthermore, the molecular docking technique was employed to investigate the interaction of compounds with high (compound 25) and low (compound 13) inhibitory activity. It was observed that the rings with nitrogen atoms interacted with the protein. The molecular binding results indicate that groups such as OMe and rings with Nitrogen can enhance the inhibitory activity of the compounds. Additionally, oxygen and nitrogen atoms contribute to an increased number of hydrogen bonds, thereby increasing the inhibitory activity of the compounds.Additionally, the stability and bonding modes of active and inactive compounds were studied using molecular dynamic simulation. Based on the results, four new inhibitors were designed, demonstrating better inhibition efficiency with the PIM1 kinase compared to the reference compounds. Moreover, the designed compounds underwent evaluation for ADMET, yielding promising results.

Exploring Holy Basil's Bioactive Compounds for T2DM Treatment: Docking and Molecular Dynamics Simulations with Human Omentin-1.

Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) presents a substantial health concern on a global scale, driving the search for innovative therapeutic strategies. Phytochemicals from medicinal plants, particularly Ocimum tenuiflorum (Holy Basil), have garnered attention for their potential in T2DM management. The increased focus on plant-based treatments stems from their perceived safety profile, lower risk of adverse effects, and the diverse range of bioactive molecules they offer, which can target multiple pathways involved in T2DM. Computational techniques explored the binding interactions between O. tenuiflorum phytochemicals and Human Omentin-1, a potential T2DM target. ADMET evaluation and targeted docking identified lead compounds: Luteolin (-4.84 kcal/mol), Madecassic acid (-4.12 kcal/mol), Ursolic acid (-5.91 kcal/mol), Stenocereol (-5.59 kcal/mol), and Apigenin (-4.64 kcal/mol), to have a better binding affinity to target protein compared to the control drug, Metformin (-2.01 kcal/mol). Subsequent molecular dynamics simulations evaluated the stability of Stenocereol, Luteolin, and Metformin complexes for 200 nanoseconds, analysing RMSD, RMSF, RG, SASA, PCA, FEL, and MM-PBSA parameters. Results indicated Stenocereol's strong binding affinity with Omentin-1, suggesting its potential as a potent therapeutic agent for T2DM management. These findings lay the groundwork for further experimental validation and drug discovery endeavours.

In silico molecular screening and ADMET evaluation of 2,5-disubstituted-1,3,4-oxadiazole derivatives for anticancer potential

In silico molecular screening and ADMET evaluation of 2,5-disubstituted-1,3,4-oxadiazole derivatives for anticancer potential

Exploring Natural Compounds Targeting PD-L1 and STAT3: Toxicogenomic Analysis, Virtual Screening, Molecular Docking, ADMET Evaluation, and Biological Activity Prediction.

One of the most important targets in cancer immunotherapy is programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1). Monoclonal antibodies developed for this target have disadvantages due to their low bioavailability and some immune-related adverse effects. Additionally, small molecules targeting PD-L1 are still in the experimental stage. At this point, discovering non-toxic natural compounds that directly or indirectly target PD-L1 is essential. In this in silico study, a comprehensive literature search was conducted to identify publications reporting the master regulator of PD-L1, which was suggested as a Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription 3 (STAT3). The relationship between STAT3 and PD-L1 was further investigated through bioinformatic analysis. Subsequently, natural compounds targeting PD-L1 and STAT3 were screened, and compounds with suitable toxicity profiles were docked against both PD-L1 and STAT3. Following molecular docking, the selected molecules underwent DNA docking, ADMET profile analysis, and in silico assessment of biological activities. The relationship between PD-L1 and STAT3 was determined in 52 out of the 453 articles, and it was further demonstrated in genegene interactions. Following the virtual screening, 76 natural compounds were identified, and after pre-filtering based on physicochemical properties, drug-likeness, and ADMET profiles, 29 compounds remained. Subsequent docking revealed that two compounds, 6-Prenylapigenin, and Gelomulide J, persisted. ADMET and biological activity prediction results suggested that 6-Prenylapigenin is non-toxic and has the potential to inhibit PD-L1 and STAT3 in silico. The present study highlights that STAT3 serves as the master regulator of PD-L1, and it further suggests that 6- Prenylapigenin exhibits the potential to modulate PD-L1 and/or STAT3. This finding could pave the way for the development of small molecules designed to block the PD-1/PD-L1 interaction by silencing the PD-L1 and/or STAT3 genes or reducing protein levels.

Comparative toxicity assessment of fisetin-aided artificial intelligence-assisted drug design targeting epibulbar dermoid through phytochemicals

Abstract Epibulbar dermoid, benign tumors resulting from the improper function of the pathogenic protein Patched 1 (PTCH1), surgical interventions are employed to mitigate the lethal effects. However, these procedures often lead to complications such as scleral weakening and corneal astigmatism. Due to the absence of effective medical treatments, there is a critical need for novel approaches to prevent the spread of this disease. This study not only fills a key gap in medical therapy for epibulbar dermoid, but it also demonstrates AI’s transformational potential in drug development. Employing an AI drug design service, three efficient de novo therapeutic compounds targeting the PTCH1 protein were crafted with Fisetin. The method included obtaining the PTCH1 protein sequence from NCBI, computing physiochemical parameters with Expasy Protparam, and estimating the 3D structure with SWISS-MODEL. Quality assessment, binding site prediction, drug design with WADDAICA, Lipinski’s Rule of 5, toxicity screening, ADMET evaluation, docking analysis with CB-dock and Patch dock, and MD simulations with IMOD all work together to provide an adequate basis for the development and validation of AI-designed phytochemical medicines for epibulbar dermoid. Comprehensive pharmacokinetic and toxicity assessments demonstrated the outstanding absorbency of AI-designed Fisetin in the blood–brain barrier, emphasizing its non-toxic nature. The AI-designed Fisetin exhibits a notable affinity of approximately −9.2 kcal/mol during docking with the PTCH1 protein, suggesting its potential as a drug. While the in silico results indicate efficiency and safety, the necessity for in vivo testing is acknowledged to validate these promising findings. This research significantly advances the frontier of knowledge by proposing a non-invasive solution to epibulbar dermoid, addressing current limitations, and offering potential alternatives to conventional surgical interventions.

Molecular modeling of novel 2-aminopyridine derivatives as potential JAK2 inhibitors: a rational strategy for promising anticancer agents

Janus kinase 2(JAK2) is a potential target for anticancer drugs in the treatment of numerous myeloproliferative diseases due to its central role in the JAK/STAT signaling cascade. In this study, the binding behavior of 2 amino-pyridine derivatives as JAK2 inhibitors was investigated by using multifaceted strategies including 3D-QSAR, molecular docking, Fingerprint analysis, MD simulations, and MM-PBSA calculations. A credible COMFA (q 2 = 0.606 and r 2 = 0.919) and COMSIA (q 2 = 0.641 and r 2 = 0.992) model was developed, where the internal and external validation revealed that the obtained 3D-QSAR models could be capable of predicting bioactivities of JAK2 inhibitors. The structural criteria provided by the contour maps of model were used to computationally develop more potent 100 new JAK2 inhibitors. Docking studies were conducted on the model data set and newly developed compounds (in-house library) to demonstrate their binding mechanism and highlight the key interacting residues within JAK2 active site. The selected docked complexes underwent MD simulation (100 ns), which contributed in the further study of the binding interactions. Binding free energy analyses (MMGB/PBSA) revealed that key residues such as Glu930, Leu932 (hinge region), Asp939 (solvent accessible region), Arg980, Asn981and Asp994 (catalytic site) have a significantly facilitate ligand-protein interactions through H-bonding and van der Waals interactions. The preliminary in-silico ADMET evaluation revealed encouraging results for all the modeled and in-house library compounds. The findings of this research have the potential to offer valuable recommendations for the advancement of novel, potent, and efficacious JAK2 inhibitors. Overall, this work has successfully employed a wide range of computer-based methodologies to understand the interaction dynamics between 2-amino-pyridine derivatives and the JAK2 enzyme, which is a crucial target in myeloproliferative disorders. Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma

Development of terpenoid repellents against Aedes albopictus: a combined study of biological activity evaluation and computational modelling

ABSTRACT To explore novel terpenoid repellents, 22 candidate terpenoid derivatives were synthesized and tested for their electroantennogram (EAG) responses and repellent activities against Aedes albopictus. The results from the EAG experiments revealed that 5-(2-hydroxypropan-2-yl)-2-methylcyclohex-2-en-1-yl formate (compound 1) induced distinct EAG responses in female Aedes albopictus. At concentrations of 0.1, 1, 10, 100, and 1000 mg/L, the EAG response values for compound 1 were 179.59, 183.99, 190.38, 193.80, and 196.66 mV, demonstrating comparable or superior effectiveness to DEET. Repellent activity analysis indicated significant repellent activity for compound 1, closest to the positive control DEET. The in silico assessment of the ADMET profile of compound 1 indicates that it successfully passed the ADMET evaluation. Molecular docking studies exhibited favourable binding of compound 1 to the active site of the odorant binding protein (OBP) of Aedes albopictus, involving hydrophobic forces and hydrogen bond interactions with residues in the OBP pocket. The QSAR model highlighted the influential role of hydrogen-bonding receptors, positively charged surface area of weighted atoms, polarity parameters of molecules, and maximum nuclear-nuclear repulsion force of carbon-carbon bonds on the relative EAG response values of the tested compounds. This study holds substantial significance for the advancement of new terpenoid repellents.

A recent tactic for searching CDK-7 kinase inhibitor by NCI database screening

The present study was based on an exploration of NCI database for searching specific CDK-7 kinase inhibitor by HTVS, SP, XP, molecular dock-ing, molecular dynamic simulation, and ADMET evaluation. The best CDK-7 kinase inhibitors (NCI613391, NCI169676, NCI281246, NCI339580) were identified via NCI database screening. The stability of binding interaction between receptor protein and protein-ligand complex of potent finding com-pounds (NCI613391) was further confirmed by dynamics simulations and MM- -GBSA. The RMSD value of receptor and receptor?ligand complexes was ana-lysed, and it revealed the stability of binding interactions and remained stable throughout the simulation. The RMSF values and gyration radius of the unbound receptor and backbone atoms of the complex were found to be equal, which indicates that the drug molecule inside the CDK7 receptor is also stable. The study of MM-GBSA data also revealed stronger binding interactions of ligands to CDK7 receptors. With the exception of NCI169676, all compounds were shown to be substrates for CYP450 2D6, CYP450 3A4, inhibitors of CYP450 2C9, and non-inhibitors of p-glycoprotein. All compounds were quali-fied and found suitable to be as drug-likeness according to the Lipinski rule, Ghose filter, MDDR like rule and CMC-like rule. The compound (NCI613391) exhibited human intestinal absorption (76.08%), displayed negative AMES and T.E.S.T (US-EPA) toxicity with OSIRIS property and found to be a promising CDK-7 kinase inhibitor and its efficacy may be further explored in clinical trials.

Synthesis and in silico ADMET evaluation of new thiazole and thiazolidine-4-one derivatives as non-ulcerogenic analgesic and anti-inflammatory agents

A series of 1,3-thiazoline-4-one derivatives bearing 2-phenoxyphenyl moiety, were synthesized as potential new analgesic and anti-inflammatory agents. The structures were confirmed by FT-IR, NMR, and Mass spectra. The abdominal constriction (writing) test was selected to evaluate analgesic activity and results showed that nearly all of them were active, and the most potent was 10m with 96% inhibition when compared to the control. The best compounds were selected to investigate the anti-inflammatory activity by carrageenan induced rat paw edema test. The results showed that compounds 8 and 10h were active from the 2nd to 5th hours of assessment. The ulcerogenic evaluation of two selected compounds showed that they are comparable with the vehicle control group and without any ulcerogenic effect potential. The target compounds showed an acceptable in silico ADME profile.

In-silico screening and ADMET evaluation of therapeutic MAO-B inhibitors against Parkinson disease

MAOs are flavoenzymes that aid in the oxidative deamination of neurotransmitters such as dopamine, serotonin, and epinephrine. MAO inhibitors are antidepressants that act by inhibiting neurotransmitter breakdown in the brain and controlling mood. MAO inhibitors with the chlorophenyl-chromone-carboxamide structure have been shown in investigations to be extremely effective. The current study employs in-silico screening, MD simulation, and drug kinetics evaluation, all of which are evaluated using different criteria. The study comprised 37 ligands, and three stood out as the best, with greater binding scores above the threshold value. Docking analysis found that compound 34 had the highest docking score in the series (−13.60 ​kcal/mol) and interacted with the important amino acids TYR 435, CYS 397, CYS 172, PHE 343, TYR 398, and LYS 296 required for MAO inhibitory activity. The ADMET study revealed that the compounds had drug-like properties. The results of this study could be used to develop chromone drugs that target the MAO inhibitor. The top three ligands with the highest force and work were then simulated using molecular dynamics. The protein-ligand complexes had steady trajectories throughout the 100 ns simulation, according to the data. Furthermore, the drug likeliness predicted by ADMET analysis findings indicated that the top three lead compounds had strong inhibitory efficiency, superior pharmacokinetics, and were non-toxic under physiological settings. As a result, these compounds have the potential to be exploited as possible treatment medications for PD.

In-silico molecular docking, ADMET and DFT evaluation of piperidin-4-one furoic hydrazone derivatives as antimicrobial, antioxidant and anticancer agents

In-silico molecular docking, ADMET and DFT evaluation of piperidin-4-one furoic hydrazone derivatives as antimicrobial, antioxidant and anticancer agents

Acetaminophen-traces bioremediation with novel phenotypically and genotypically characterized 2 Streptomyces strains using chemo-informatics, in vivo, and in vitro experiments for cytotoxicity and biological activity

We isolated two novel bacterial strains, active against the environmental pollutant acetaminophen/Paracetamol®. Streptomyces chrestomyceticus (symbol RS2) and Flavofuscus (symbol M33) collected from El-Natrun Valley, Egypt—water, sediment, and sand samples, taxonomically characterized using a transmission electron microscope (TEM). Genotypic identification, based on 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis followed by BLAST alignment, were deposited on the NCBI as 2 novel strains https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/nuccore/OM665324 and https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/nuccore/OM665325. The phylogenetic tree was constructed. Acetaminophen secondary or intermediate product’s chemical structure was identified by GC/LC MS. Some selected acetaminophen secondary-product extracts and derived compounds were examined against a panel of test micro-organisms and fortunately showed a good anti-microbial effect. In silico chemo-informatics Swiss ADMET evaluation was used in the selected bio-degradation extracts for absorption (gastric), distribution (to CNS), metabolism (hepatic), excretion (renal), and finally not toxic, being non-mutagenic/teratogenic or genotoxic, virtually. Moreover, in vitro cytotoxic activity of these selected bio-degradation secondary products was examined against HepG2 and MCF7 cancer cell lines, where M33 and RS2 extract effects on acetaminophen/paracetamol bio-degradation products were safe, with higher IC50 on HepG2 and MCF7 than the acetaminophen/paracetamol IC50 of 108.5 μg/ml. Moreover, an in vivo oral acute single-dose toxicity experiment was conducted, to confirm these in vitro and in silico lower toxicity (better safety) than acetaminophen/paracetamol.

Synthesis of new Cu (II) and Zn (II) complexes derived from isatin‐3‐thiosemicarbazone: X‐ray, anticancer activity, molecular docking, ADMET study, and quantum chemical calculations

The current work aimed to synthesize new mononuclear Cu (II) and Zn (II) complexes derived from isatin‐based thiosemicarbazide, (Z)‐N‐methyl‐2‐(2‐oxoindolin‐3‐ylidene)hydrazinecarbothioamide ligand (L1) using the reflux conventional method. Structural characterization for the synthesized compounds was achieved via elemental analyses, spectroscopic analysis, magnetic susceptibility, molar conductivity, and thermal analysis. The compounds were further explored for their prospective anticancer properties with the aid of in silico methodology. Complexation of metal centers with L1 was observed using the shifting of the v(C=N) peak to lower frequencies and the emergence of new peaks in the range of 454–512 cm−1 assigned to v(M‐N) and v(M‐O). The non‐electrolytic character of Cu2+ and Zn2+ compounds was displayed by their low molar conductivities. Quantum chemical calculations were employed to investigate the electronic and molecular properties of the complexes. The frontier molecular orbitals were performed by density functional theory (DFT) calculations to provide valuable information regarding their molecular orbitals, reactivity indices, and electronic structures, assisting in understanding their structure–activity relationships and potential mechanisms of action. Additionally, molecular docking was carried out to comprehend the interaction of the compounds with the selected enzyme and determine their potential binding mode and energy. Meanwhile, the ADMET study exhibited that all of the compounds possess good oral bioavailability suggesting potent and suitable anticancer drug candidates. All the compounds were tested against human leukemia K562 cancer cell line and human fibroblasts Hs27 cell line. Overall, this comprehensive study highlights the synthesis, characterization, anticancer activity, molecular docking, ADMET evaluation, and quantum chemical calculations of new Cu (II) and Zn (II) complexes derived from isatin‐3‐thiosemicarbazone.

Unravelling the potential of selected phenolics against breast cancer targets: Molecular docking and molecular dynamics investigations

The multi-faceted problems of drug resistance, non-specificity, and toxicity have been identified as the major factors responsible for the dwindling efficacy of the current treatment options for breast cancer, including chemotherapy. Hence, the need for new compounds with enhanced specificity and improved efficacy for breast cancer treatment. Thus, in this study, thirty-four natural phenolic compounds were virtually screened against targeted apoptotic proteins, using molecular docking, as well as the ADMET and drug-likeness evaluation; then validated via molecular dynamic simulation at 310 K for 100 ns. After the docking analysis, seven compounds including amentoflavone, bicoumarin, didymin sesamolin, tanshinone and theaflavin were selected due to their notable binding affinities to the different oncogenic targets. Further results showed that tanshinone, bicoumarin, and sesamolin possess the highest potential for oral drug development, as they showed no violations of the Lipinski's rule of 5. Molecular dynamic simulation of the final three phenolics with the apoptotic proteins showed that the obtained protein-ligand conformations were stable and compact. Compared to the free protein, the phenolic-target complex also showed minimal alterations while competing favourably with the standard, tamoxifen. These findings thus highlight the three compounds as hits and potential leads in the therapeutic battle against breast cancer.

In-silico study of the Effectiveness of Allium sativum L. extract as an Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme (ACE) Inhibitor in Hypertension

Over the last decade, the global prevalence of hypertension rate has increased by 5.2% and, in Indonesia, the prevalence rate has increased significantly from 25.8% in 2013 to 34.1% in 2018. Hypertension treatments using blood pressure-lowering drugs, such as angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, often cause unpleasant side effects. These side effects increase the interest in using potentially effective natural remedies, such as garlic. This study aimed to determine which organosulfur compounds in garlic can act as an ACE inhibitor to reduce blood pressure in hypertension using a cheminformatics approach. Eighteen organosulfur compounds of Allium sativum L. were screened based on Lipinski’s rules and ADMET evaluation. Seven compounds passed the screening and were subjected to QSAR analysis, molecular docking analysis, and molecular dynamics simulations to assess the stability of the protein. The seven compounds then underwent molecular docking and QSAR analysis. Ajoene (4,5,9-trithiadodeca-1,6,11-triene-9-oxide) and S-allylmercaptocysteine (SAMC) were two compounds with better docking values compared to the positive control compound. The QSAR analysis also showed that SAMC had an activity as an ACE inhibitor. The ADMET evaluation showed that Ajoene and SAMC had good absorption and could not penetrate the blood-brain barrier. Molecular dynamics simulation of ACE complexes Ajoene, SAMC, and Captopril ranged from 0.05 to 5.61 Å but exhibited a pattern of synonymous fluctuations for most residues. Based on the simulation data, the organosulfur compounds from garlic, Ajoene, and SAMC are proven to have a mechanism of action as ACE inhibitors to reduce blood pressure in hypertension.

Discovery of potential novel TRPC5 inhibitors by virtual screening and bioassay

The transient receptor potential canonical channel 5 (TRPC5), a member of the TRPC family, plays a crucial role in the regulation of various physiological activities and diseases, including those related to the central nervous system, cardiovascular system, kidney, and cancer. As a nonselective cation channel, TRPC5 mainly controls the influx of extracellular Ca2+ into cells, thereby modulating cellular depolarization and intracellular ion concentration. Inhibition of TRPC5 by small molecules presents a promising approach for the treatment of TRPC5-associated diseases. In this study, we conducted a comprehensive virtual screening of more than 1.5 million molecules from the Chemdiv database (https://www.chemdiv.com) to identify potential inhibitors of hTRPC5, utilizing the published structures and binding sites of hTRPC5 as a basis. Lipinski's rule, Veber's rule, PAINS filters, pharmacophore analysis, molecular docking, ADMET evaluation and cluster analysis methods were applied for the screening. From this rigorous screening process, 18 candidates exhibiting higher affinities to hTRPC5 were subsequently evaluated for their inhibitory effects on Ca2+ influx using a fluorescence-based assay. Notably, two molecules, namely SML-1 and SML-13, demonstrated significant inhibition of intracellular Ca2+ levels in hTRPC5-overexpressing HEK 293T cells, with IC50 values of 10.2 μM and 10.3 μM, respectively. These findings highlight SML-1 and SML-13 as potential lead molecules for the development of therapeutics targeting hTRPC5 and its associated physiological activities and diseases.

Synthesis, anticancer, antibacterial, antifungal, DNA interactions, ADMET, molecular docking, and antioxidant evaluation of novel Schiff base and their Co(II), Ni(II) and Cu(II) complexes

Here, three bivalent transition metal complexes of [ML2] kind (where M = Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II); HL = 2-(E)-(5-cyclohexyl-2-methoxyphenylimino)methyl)-5-methylphenol), and various analytical techniques such as elemental analysis, mass, IR, NMR, UV–visible, TGA, magnetic moments, and ESR were employed for characterization. From the analytical data it is found that the Ni (II) and Cu (II) complexes adopted a square planar geometry, while the Co (II) complex adopted an octahedral geometry. Molecular docking investigations were carried out of Schiff base ligand (HL), the results illustrated that the ligand exhibited significant affinities for a few proteins. Monometallic metal compounds interaction with CT-DNA was studied by fluorescence measurements, viscosity and UV–Vis investigations, which is illustrated that all the three metal compounds strongly intercalated to CT-DNA. The synthesized metal compounds (1a-1c) with supercoiled pBR322 DNA was used in cleavage experiments. Based on findings, DNA cleavage by the Cu(II) complexes was more effective than that of the Co(II) and Ni(II) compounds. All synthesised compounds toxic effects on cancer cell lines A-549 and MCF-7 were evaluated by MTT assay. The obtained results indicated that Cu(II) complex is more effective towards tumour cells than other complexes. In addition to the evaluation of all synthesised complexes for antimicrobial properties, it was observed that all of the metal complexes showed higher efficacy against microorganisms compared to the free ligand. Finally, drug likeness and ADMET studies was performed on Schiff base ligand (HL). These studies indicated that the ligand possessed high potency and showed potential as a drug agent for pathogens causing deformities.

Novel azole-urea hybrids as VEGFR-2 inhibitors: Synthesis, in vitro antiproliferative evaluation and in silico studies

The vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2 (VEGFR-2) is a receptor tyrosine kinase known to be abnormally expressed in various malignant tumors, including breast cancer, and is considered one of the most important contributors to tumor angiogenesis. Sorafenib is one of many VEGFR-2 inhibitors that have received approval for clinical use from the US FDA in recent years. Accordingly, in this study, the synthesis of two new pyrazoles, six 1,3,4-oxadiazoles, four 1,3,4-thiadiazoles, and ten 1,2,4-triazole-3-thione derivatives having structural characteristics similar to sorafenib was carried out. A preliminary screening of synthesized compounds and known inhibitors sorafenib and staurosporine at 10 µM concentration on in vitro activity of VEGFR-2 was performed, and compounds 10c, 8a, and 11 g were identified as the most potent derivatives with% VEGFR-2 residual activities lower than 30%, and dose-dependent inhibition studies was carried out to determine the IC50 values of these inhibitors. Compound 10c was found to be the most potent inhibitor of VEGFR-2 activity with an IC50 value of 0.664 µM. The anti-proliferative activity of synthesized derivatives was assessed against a breast carcinoma (MCF-7) cell line, a triple negative human breast adenocarcinoma (MDA-MB-231) cell line, and noncancerous fibroblast cells (L929). Compound 8a displayed superior activity when compared to sorafenib against MCF-7 (7.69 fold) and MDA-MB-231 (1.52 fold) cell lines while displaying 3.75-fold less toxicity against the normal L929 cell line. Annexin V binding assay revealed that compound 8a significantly increased early and late apoptosis in MCF-7 cells and late apoptosis and necrosis in MDA-MB-231 cells. Computational studies such as molecular docking and ADMET evaluation were performed to elucidate the binding interactions and drug-likeness of the synthesized compounds. The results indicate that compound 8a could be a promising candidate for the development of a novel anti-angiogenic and anti-proliferative agent.

PF543-like compound, a promising sphingosine kinase 1 inhibitor: Structure-based virtual screening and molecular dynamic simulation approaches

Sphingosine kinase 1 (SphK1) has been widely recognized as a significant contributor to various types of cancer, including breast, lung, prostate, and hematological cancers. This research aimed to find a potential SphK1 inhibitor through a step-by-step virtual screening of PF543 (a known SphK1 inhibitor)-like compounds obtained from the PubChem library with the Tanimoto threshold of 80 %. The virtual screening process included several steps, namely physicochemical and ADMET evaluation, PAINS filtering, and molecular docking, followed by molecular dynamics (MD) simulation and principal component analysis (PCA). The results showed that compound CID:58293960 ((3R)-1,1-dioxo-2-[[3-[(4-phenylphenoxy)methyl]phenyl]methyl]-1,2-thiazolidine-3-carboxylic acid) demonstrated high potential as SphK1 inhibitor. All-atom MD simulations were performed for 100 ns to evaluate the stability and structural changes of the docked complexes in an aqueous environment. The analysis of the time evolution data of structural deviations, compactness, PCA, and free energy landscape (FEL) indicated that the binding of CID:58293960 with SphK1 is relatively stable throughout the simulation. The results of this study provide a platform for the discovery and development of new anticancer therapeutics targeting SphK1.