Compounds Exhibited IC50 Values Research Articles

Exploring small molecules with pan-genotypic inhibitory activities against hepatitis C virus NS3/4A serine protease.

Among the many Hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotypes and subtypes, genotypes 1b and 3a are most prevalent in United States and Asia, respectively. A total of 132 commercially available analogs of a previous lead compound were initially investigated against wild-type HCV genotype 1b NS3/4A protease. Ten compounds showed inhibitory activities (IC50 values) below 10 µM with comparable direct binding affinities (KD values) determined by surface plasmon resonance (SPR). To identify pan-genotypic inhibitors, these ten selected compounds were tested against four additional genotypes (1a, 2a, 3a, and 4) and three drug-resistant mutants (A156S, R155K, and V36M). Four new analogs have been identified with better activities against all five tested genotypes than the prior lead compound. Further, the original lead compound did not show activity against genotype 3a NS3/4A, whereas four newly identified compounds exhibited IC50 values below 33 µM against genotype 3a NS3/4A. Encouragingly, the best new compound F1813-0710 possessed promising activity toward genotype 3a, which is a huge improvement over the previous lead compound that had no effect on genotype 3a. This intriguing observation was further analyzed by molecular docking and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations to understand their different binding interactions, which should benefit future pan-genotypic inhibitor design and drug discovery.

Synthesis, characterization, lipophilicity and cytotoxic properties of novel bis(carboxylato)oxalatobis(1-propylamine)platinum(IV) complexes

A series of novel bis(carboxylato)oxalatobis(1-propylamine)platinum(IV) complexes as well as an ethylamine analog were synthesized. The compounds are either symmetrical with both axial ligands consisting of monoesters of succinic acid, or unsymmetrical, with one axial ligand being acetate. The compounds were characterized in detail by elemental analysis, mass spectrometry and multinuclear (1H, 13C, 15N, 195Pt) NMR spectroscopy. The reduction behavior was followed by NMR spectroscopy, while lipophilicity was determined by analytical reversed-phase HPLC measurements. The capacity of inhibiting proliferation of the human cancer cell lines A549 (non-small cell lung cancer), CH1(PA-1) (ovarian teratocarcinoma) and SW480 (colon carcinoma) was evaluated by the MTT assay. In the most sensitive cell line CH1(PA-1), all compounds exhibited IC50 values in the lower µM range. In general, the IC50 values decreased with increasing lipophilicity within the two compound series. Nevertheless, replacing one of the succinic ester ligands with acetate has a rather marginal impact on antiproliferative activity and is hardly disadvantageous.

The first target specific, highly diastereoselective synthesis, design and characterization of pyranoquinolinyl acrylic acid diastereomers as potential α-glucosidase inhibitors

In the present investigation we report the first target specific, highly diastereoselective synthesis of new class of pyranoquinolinyl/furoquinolinyl-acrylic acid diastereomers and evaluation of their invitro α-glucosidase inhibitory activity. All the products were thoroughly characterized by 1H NMR, 13C NMR, FT-IR, Mass spectral and CHN analysis. A highly diastereoselective target specific route of synthesis for the biologically active diastereomers were developed by usingchiral catalyst Europium tris[3-heptafluoropropylhydroxyl methylene]-(−)-camphorate (A) or Europiumtris[3-(trifluoromethyl)hydroxylmethylene]-(+)-camphorate (B). It was found that among a set of 4 diastereomeric products obtained, exodiasteromers of pyranoquinolinyl acrylic acid adducts exhibited relatively high α-glucosidase inhibitory activity. The newly synthesized compounds exhibited IC50 values in the range of (0.40 ± 0.02–30.3 ± 0.84 μM) as compared to standard acarbose (IC50 = 0.65 ± 0.02 μM). It was found that compounds 11a, 11c, 11d and 12d were found to be more active than standard acarbose. It was also found that unsubstituted compound (11a) or compounds with chlorine or methoxy substituent (11c, 11d, 12d) showed potential α-glucosidase inhibitory activity. However a reversal in activity was observed with Nitro substituent (11b, 13b) wherein the endodiastereomers were found to be more active than exodiastereomers. Molecular docking studies were used for design of the compound and understand the mode of binding between the compound and target enzyme. A plausible mechanism for the diastereoselective synthesis was also proposed.

Endochin-Like Quinolones Exhibit Promising Efficacy Against Neospora Caninum in vitro and in Experimentally Infected Pregnant Mice.

We report on the efficacy of selected endochin-like quinolones (ELQs) against N. caninum tachyzoites grown in human foreskin fibroblasts (HFF), and in a pregnant BALB/c mouse model. Fourteen ELQs were screened against transgenic N. caninum tachyzoites expressing β-galactosidase (Nc-βgal). Drugs were added concomitantly to infection and the values for 50% proliferation inhibition (IC50) were determined after 3 days. Three compounds exhibited IC50 values below 0.1 nM, 3 ELQs had IC50s between 0.1 and 1 nM, for 7 compounds values between 1 and 10 nM were noted, and one compound had an IC50 of 22.4 nM. Two compounds, namely ELQ-316 and its prodrug ELQ-334 with IC50s of 0.66 and 3.33 nM, respectively, were previously shown to display promising activities against experimental toxoplasmosis and babesiosis caused by Babesia microti in mice, and were thus further studied. They were assessed in long-term treatment assays by exposure of infected HFF to ELQs at 0.5 μM concentration, starting 3 h after infection and lasting for up to 17 days followed by release of drug pressure. Results showed that the compounds substantially delayed parasite proliferation, but did not exert parasiticidal activities. TEM of drug treated parasites detected distinct alterations within the parasite mitochondria, but not in other parasite organelles. Assessment of safety of ELQ-334 in the pregnant mouse model showed that the compound did not interfere in fertility or pregnancy outcome. In N. caninum infected pregnant mice treated with ELQ-334 at 10 mg/kg/day for 5 days, neonatal mortality (within 2 days post partum) was found in 7 of 44 pups (15.9%), but no postnatal mortality was noted, and vertical transmission was reduced by 49% compared to the placebo group, which exhibited 100% vertical transmission, neonatal mortality in 15 of 34 pups (44%), and postnatal mortality for 18 of the residual 19 pups during the 4 weeks follow-up. These findings encourage more research on the use of ELQs for therapeutic options against N. caninum infection.

New benzimidazothiazole derivatives as anti-inflammatory, antitumor active agents: Synthesis, in-vitro and in-vivo screening and molecular modeling studies

A new series of benzimidazothiazole derivatives has been synthesized. The structure of the products was confirmed by spectroscopic techniques such as IR, NMR and mass spectroscopy. The tested compounds were evaluated for their anti-inflammatory activity either in vitro through the COX enzyme inhibition assay, or in vivo through carrageenan paw edema technique. Results revealed that compound 25 and 29 represented the most active ones among the entire series with % inhibition 72.19, 72.07 for COX-1, and 87.46, 87.38 for COX-2, respectively. Interestingly, all synthesized compounds exhibited IC50 values less than both reference drugs celecoxib and naproxen, indicating their superior potency. For compound 25, it showed about 340 and 198 times more potent than celecoxib and naproxen respectively as COX-1 inhibitor (IC50 value 0.044 vs. 15.000 and 8.700 µM), and 10 and 115 times more potent than the same drugs as COX-2 inhibitor (IC50 value 4.52 vs. 40.00 and 520.00 nM). The antitumor activity of the products was also evaluated and the results obtained are consistent with those obtained by the anti-inflammatory screening where compounds 25 and 29 proved to be the most active ones among the other compounds with %GI ranging from 31.5 to 62.5% and they exhibited the lowest IC50 values as well. The ADMET analysis of the tested compounds was also performed in addition to the molecular modeling studies that included flexible alignment, surface and electrostatic maps in addition to the Lipinisk's rule of five.

Novel benzamido derivatives as PTP1B inhibitors with anti-hyperglycemic and lipid-lowering efficacy

Based on a non-competitive and selective PTP1B inhibitor reported by us previously, thirty-nine benzamido derivatives were designed and synthesized as novel PTP1B inhibitors. Among them, twelve compounds exhibited IC50 values at micromolar level against human recombinant PTP1B, and most of them exhibited significant selectivity to PTP1B over TC-PTP and CD45. Further evaluation of the most potent compound 27 on high-fat diet (HFD)-induced insulin-resistant (IR) obese mice indicated that 27 could modulate glucose metabolism and ameliorate dyslipidemia simultaneously.

Antiprotozoan sesterterpenes and triterpenes isolated from two Ghanaian mushrooms

Bioassay-guided compound isolation led to the discovery of two new scalarane sesterterpenes (1 and 2) and two new triterpenes (3 and 4) from two mushroom species, Pleurotus ostreatus (edible) and Scleroderma areolatum, collected from Ghana. Their structures, including absolute stereochemistry, were established by spectroscopic methods, particularly (+)-ESI-TOF mass spectrometry and 1D and 2D NMR. The four compounds exhibited IC50 values of 1.65–7.63 μM against Plasmodium falciparum 3D7 and 5.04–13.65 μM against Trypanosoma cruzi Tulahuen C4 parasites and were also non-cytotoxic against HepG2 tumoral human liver cells. This is the first report describing the isolation of sesterterpenes belonging to the scalarane structural class from a terrestrial source.

Docking analysis targeted to the whole enzyme: an application to the prediction of inhibition of PTP1B by thiomorpholine and thiazolyl derivatives

PTP1b is a protein tyrosine phosphatase involved in the inactivation of insulin receptor. Since inhibition of PTP1b may prolong the action of the receptor, PTP1b has become a drug target for the treatment of type II diabetes. In the present study, prediction of inhibition using docking analysis targeted specifically to the active or allosteric site was performed on 87 compounds structurally belonging to 10 different groups. Two groups, consisting of 15 thiomorpholine and 10 thiazolyl derivatives exhibiting the best prediction results, were selected for in vitro evaluation. All thiomorpholines showed inhibitory action (with IC50 = 4–45 μΜ, Ki = 2–23 μM), while only three thiazolyl derivatives showed low inhibition (best IC50 = 18 μΜ, Ki = 9 μΜ). However, free binding energy (E) was in accordance with the IC50 values only for some compounds. Docking analysis targeted to the whole enzyme revealed that the compounds exhibiting IC50 values higher than expected could bind to other peripheral sites with lower free energy, Eo, than when bound to the active/allosteric site. A prediction factor, E− (ΣEo × 0.16), which takes into account lower energy binding to peripheral sites, was proposed and was found to correlate well with the IC50 values following an asymmetrical sigmoidal equation with r2 = 0.9692.

Discovery of novel quinazoline derivatives bearing semicarbazone moiety as potent EGFR kinase inhibitors

Aimed at discovering effective EGFR inhibitors, six series of quinazoline derivatives bearing a semicarbazone moiety were designed, synthesized and evaluated in different cancer cell lines (A549, HepG2, MCF-7 and PC-3). Most of the selected compounds showed remarkable cytotoxicity with IC50 values reaching the nanomole range. Further, the inhibition efficacy of 11 compounds against EGFR kinases was tested, which demonstrated excellent IC50 values in nanomolar level. Importantly, 2 compounds exhibited IC50 values of 0.05 nM and 0.1 nM against wild type EGFR respectively, suggesting more potent activities than that of the positive control, Afatinib (4.0 nM). Excitingly, 2 compounds showed excellent enzyme inhibitory activity with 8.6 nM and 5.6 nM for double T790 M/L858R mutant EGFRs, which is almost the same as Afatinib (3.8 nM). Structure–activity relationships (SARs) analysis indicated that the type of small molecule amine in pyrrole moiety or the chain length of pyrrolamine moiety had no obvious impact on the inhibition efficacy of our synthesized compounds against cancer cells. In addition, results of cell cycle analysis indicated that the G2/M phase of A549 cells was efficiently arrested by the selected compounds. These preliminary results demonstrate that 2 compounds may be promising lead compound-targeting EGFR.

N-Arylsulfonylsubstituted-1H indole derivatives as small molecule dual inhibitors of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) and tubulin

Signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT3) is a proposed therapeutic target for the development of anti-cancer agents. In this report, a series of N-arylsulfonylsubstituted-1H indole derivatives were designed and synthesized as STAT3 inhibitors, their anti-proliferative activities were evaluated against a number of tumor cells, some potent compounds exhibited IC50 values less than 10 μM. The most potent compound 4a was further confirmed to inhibit STAT3 phosphorylation at Tyr705. It was further revealed that 4a arrested the cell cycle at the G2/M phase and inhibited tubulin polymerization. This study describes a series of N-arylsulfonylsubstituted-1H indole derivatives as potent anti-cancer agents targeting both STAT3 and tubulin.

A composite docking approach for the identification and characterization of ectosteric inhibitors of cathepsin K.

Cathepsin K (CatK) is a cysteine protease that plays an important role in mammalian intra- and extracellular protein turnover and is known for its unique and potent collagenase activity. Through studies on the mechanism of its collagenase activity, selective ectosteric sites were identified that are remote from the active site. Inhibitors targeting these ectosteric sites are collagenase selective and do not interfere with other proteolytic activities of the enzyme. Potential ectosteric inhibitors were identified using a computational approach to screen the druggable subset of and the entire 281,987 compounds comprising Chemical Repository library of the National Cancer Institute-Developmental Therapeutics Program (NCI-DTP). Compounds were scored based on their affinity for the ectosteric site. Here we compared the scores of three individual molecular docking methods with that of a composite score of all three methods together. The composite docking method was up to five-fold more effective at identifying potent collagenase inhibitors (IC50 < 20 μM) than the individual methods. Of 160 top compounds tested in enzymatic assays, 28 compounds revealed blocking of the collagenase activity of CatK at 100 μM. Two compounds exhibited IC50 values below 5 μM corresponding to a molar protease:inhibitor concentration of <1:12. Both compounds were subsequently tested in osteoclast bone resorption assays where the most potent inhibitor, 10-[2-[bis(2-hydroxyethyl)amino]ethyl]-7,8-diethylbenzo[g]pteridine-2,4-dione, (NSC-374902), displayed an inhibition of bone resorption with an IC50-value of approximately 300 nM and no cell toxicity effects.

In vitro screening of the open source Pathogen Box identifies novel compounds with profound activities against Neospora caninum

Neospora caninum is a major cause of abortion in cattle and represents an important veterinary health problem of great economic significance. The Medicines for Malaria Venture (MMV) Pathogen Box, an open-source collection of 400 compounds with proven anti-infective properties against a wide range of pathogens, was screened against a N. caninum beta-galactosidase reporter strain grown in human foreskin fibroblasts. A primary screening carried out at 1µM yielded 40 compounds that were effective against N. caninum tachyzoites. However, 30 of these compounds also affected the viability of the host cells. The 10 remaining compounds exhibited IC50 values between 4 and 43nM. Three compounds with IC50 values below 10nM, namely MMV676602, MMV688762 and MMV671636, were further characterized in vitro in more detail with respect to inhibition of invasion versus intracellular proliferation, and only MMV671636 had an impact on intracellular proliferation of tachyzoites. This was confirmed by transmission electron microscopy, showing that the primary target of MMV671636 was the mitochondrion. MMV671636 treatment of experimentally infected mice significantly reduced the number of animals with lung and brain infection, and these mice also exhibited a significantly reduced titer of antibodies directed against N. caninum antigens. Thus, MMV671636 is a promising starting point for the development of a future neosporosis therapy.

Counter-flow suggests transport of dantrolene and 5-OH dantrolene by the organic anion transporters 2 (OAT2) and 3 (OAT3).

Dantrolene is the only available drug for the treatment of malignant hyperthermia, a life-threatening inborn sensitivity of the ryanodine receptor (RyR1) in skeletal muscles to volatile anesthetics. Dantrolene is metabolized in the liver to 5-OH dantrolene. Both compounds are zwitterions or net negatively charged. Here, we investigated interactions of dantrolene and 5-OH dantrolene with solute carrier (SLC) family members occurring in skeletal muscle cells, hepatocytes, and renal proximal tubule cells. SLC22A8 (organic anion transporter 3, OAT3) was very sensitive to both compounds exhibiting IC50 values of 0.35±0.03 and 1.84±0.34μM, respectively. These IC50 concentrations are well below the plasma concentration in patients treated with dantrolene (3-28μM). SLC22A7 (OAT2) was less sensitive to dantrolene and 5-OH dantrolene with IC50 values of 15.6±2.1 and 15.8±3.2μM, respectively. SLCO1B1 (OATP1B1), SLCO1B3 (OATP1B3), and SLCO2B1 (OATP2B1) mainly interacted with 5-OH dantrolene albeit with higher IC50 values than those observed for OAT2 and OAT3. Dantrolene and 5-OH dantrolene failed to inhibit uptake of 1-methyl-4-phenylpyrimidinium (MPP) by OCT1 and of carnitine by OCTN2. In counter-flow experiments on OAT3, dantrolene and 5-OH dantrolene decreased pre-equilibrated cellular [3H]estrone-3-sulfate (ES) content as did the transported substrates glutarate, furosemide, and bumetanide. With OAT2, dantrolene and 5-OH dantrolene slightly decreased the pre-equilibrated [3H]cGMP content. If no other transporter markedly contributes to uptake or release of ES or cGMP, respectively, these data suggest that OAT3 and OAT2 may be involved in absorption, metabolism, and excretion of dantrolene and its metabolite 5-OH dantrolene.

ω-Imidazolyl- and ω-Tetrazolylalkylcarbamates as Inhibitors of Fatty Acid Amide Hydrolase: Biological Activity and in vitro Metabolic Stability.

Fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) is a serine hydrolase that terminates the analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects of endocannabinoids such as anandamide. Herein, structure-activity relationship studies on a new series of aryl N-(ω-imidazolyl- and ω-tetrazolylalkyl)carbamate inhibitors of FAAH were investigated. As one result, a pronounced increase in inhibitory potency was observed if a phenyl residue attached to the carbamate oxygen atom was replaced by a pyridin-3-yl moiety. The most active compounds exhibited IC50 values in the low nanomolar range. In addition, investigations on the metabolic properties of these inhibitors were performed. In rat liver homogenate and in porcine plasma, the extent of their degradation was shown to be strongly dependent on the kind of aryl residue bound to the carbamate as well as on the length and type of the alkyl spacer connecting the carbamate group with the heterocyclic system. With the aid of esterase inhibitors it was shown that in porcine plasma, carboxylesterase-like enzymes and paraoxonase are involved in carbamate cleavage. Moreover, it was found that highly active pyridin-3-yl carbamates reacted with albumin, which led to covalent albumin adducts.

Monoamine oxidase inhibitory activities of heterocyclic chalcones.

Studies have shown that natural and synthetic chalcones (1,3-diphenyl-2-propen-1-ones) possess monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibition activities. Of particular importance to the present study is a report that a series of furanochalcones acts as MAO-B selective inhibitors. Since the effect of heterocyclic substitution, other than furan (and more recently thiophene, piperidine and quinoline) on the MAO inhibitory properties of the chalcone scaffold remains unexplored, the aim of this study was to synthesise and evaluate further heterocyclic chalcone analogues as inhibitors of the human MAOs. For this purpose, heterocyclic chalcone analogues that incorporate pyrrole, 5-methylthiophene, 5-chlorothiophene and 6-methoxypyridine substitution were examined. Seven of the nine synthesised compounds exhibited IC50 values <1 μM for the inhibition of MAO-B, with all compounds exhibiting higher affinities for MAO-B compared to the MAO-A isoform. The most potent MAO-B inhibitor (4h) displays an IC50 value of 0.067 μM while the most potent MAO-A inhibitor (4e) exhibits an IC50 value of 3.81 μM. It was further established that selected heterocyclic chalcones are reversible and competitive MAO inhibitors. 4h, however, may exhibit tight-binding to MAO-B, a property linked to its thiophene moiety. We conclude that high potency chalcones such as 4h represent suitable leads for the development of MAO-B inhibitors for the treatment of Parkinson's disease and possibly other neurodegenerative disorders.

Prenylated polyphenolic compounds from Glycyrrhiza iconica and their antimicrobial and antioxidant activities

A new prenylated isoflavan, iconisoflavan (1), and a new prenylated isoflav-3-ene, iconisoflaven (2) were isolated from the roots of Glycyrrhiza iconica together with four known ones namely (3S)-licoricidin (3), licorisoflavan A (4), topazolin (5) and glycycoumarin (6). The structures were elucidated on the basis of extensive spectroscopic analysis including 1D and 2D NMR as well as HR–MS. Furthermore, the absolute configurations of compounds 1, 3 and 4 were established by electronic circular dichroism (ECD). All the isolated compounds (1–6) were evaluated for their in vitro antimicrobial activities against five pathogenic bacteria and one yeast (Candida albicans) using an in vitro microdilution method. Compounds 1 and 3–5 displayed significant activity against Salmonella typhimurium ATCC 13311 with MIC values ranging from 2 to 8μg/mL. Additionally, all compounds were screened for their in vitro free radical scavenging activities using an in vitro microdilution DPPH assay spectrofotometrically. The tested compounds exhibited IC50 values in the range of 0.18–0.56mg/mL, suggesting an activity comparable with that of ascorbic acid (IC50: 0.07mg/mL). To the best of our knowledge, the present study constitutes the first phytochemical and bioactivity investigation on G. iconica.

α-Tetralone derivatives as inhibitors of monoamine oxidase

In the present study, a series of fifteen α-tetralone (3,4-dihydro-2H-naphthalen-1-one) derivatives were synthesised and evaluated as inhibitors of recombinant human monoamine oxidase (MAO) A and B. The α-tetralone derivatives examined are structurally related to a series of chromone (1-benzopyran-4-one) derivatives which has previously been shown to act as MAO-B inhibitors. The results document that the α-tetralones are highly potent MAO-B inhibitors with all compounds exhibiting IC50 values in the nanomolar range (<78nM). Although most compounds are selective inhibitors of MAO-B, the α-tetralones are also potent MAO-A inhibitors with ten compounds exhibiting IC50 values in the nanomolar range (<792nM). The most potent MAO-B inhibitor, 6-(3-iodobenzyloxy)-3,4-dihydro-2H-naphthalen-1-one, exhibits an IC50 value of 4.5nM with a 287-fold selectivity for MAO-B over the MAO-A isoform, while the most potent MAO-A inhibitor, 6-(3-cyanobenzyloxy)-3,4-dihydro-2H-naphthalen-1-one, exhibits an IC50 value of 24nM with a 3.25-fold selectivity for MAO-A. Analyses of the structure–activity relationships for MAO inhibition show that substitution on the C6 position of the α-tetralone moiety is a requirement for MAO-A and MAO-B inhibition, and that a benzyloxy substituent on this position is more favourable for MAO-A inhibition than phenylethoxy and phenylpropoxy substitution. For MAO-B inhibition, alkyl and halogen substituents on the meta and para positions of the benzyloxy ring enhance inhibitory potency. It may be concluded that α-tetralone derivatives are promising leads for design of therapies for Parkinson’s disease and depression.

Synthesis and antiprotozoal activities of benzyl phenyl ether diamidine derivatives

Sixty-two cationic benzyl phenyl ether derivatives (36 amidines and 26 prodrugs) were prepared and assayed for activities in vitro and in vivo against Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense (STIB900), and in vitro against Plasmodium falciparum (K1) and Leishmania donovani axenic amastigotes. 3-Amidinobenzyl 4-amidino-2-iodo-6-methoxyphenyl ether dihydrochloride (55, IC50 = 3.0 nM) and seven other compounds exhibited IC50 values below 10 nM against T. b. rhodesiense in vitro. The 2-bromo-4,4′-diamidino analogue 19 (IC50 = 4.0 nM) and 12 other analogues were more potent than pentamidine (IC50 = 46 nM) against P. falciparum. The 3′,4-diamidino-2,6-diiodo analogue 49 (IC50 = 1.4 μM) and two other compounds were more effective than pentamidine (IC50 = 1.8 μM) against L. donovani. A prodrug, 3′,4-bis(N″-methoxy)amidino-2-bromo derivative 38, was the most efficacious against trypanosome infected mice, attaining 4/4 cures in four daily 25 mg/kg oral doses, and the 2-chloro-4,4′-diamidine 18 cured 3/4 mice in four daily 5 mg/kg intraperitoneal doses.

Virtual Screening Analysis and In-vitro Xanthine Oxidase Inhibitory Activity of Some Commercially Available Flavonoids.

Allopurinol, the xanthine oxidase inhibitor, is the only drug available for the treatment of gout. We examined the xanthine oxidase inhibitory activity of some commercially available flavonoids such asepigallocatechin, acacatechin, myricetin, naringenin, daidzein and glycitein by virtual screening and in-vitro studies. The interacting residues within the complex model and their contact types were identified. The virtual screening analysis were carried out using AutoDock 4.2 and in-vitro xanthine oxidase inhibitory activity was carried out using xanthine as the substrate. In addition, enzyme kinetics was performed using LineweaverBurkplot analysis. Allopurinol, a known xanthine oxidase inhibitor was used as the standard. The docking energy ofglycitein was found to be -8.49 kcal/mol which was less than that of the standard (-4.47 kcal/ mol). All the selected flavonoids were found to exhibit lower binding energy (-8.08 to -6.03 kcal/ mol) than allopurinol. The docking results confirm that flavonoids showed greater inhibition of xanthine oxidase due to their active binding sites and lesser binding energies compared to allopurinol. This may be attributed to the presence of benzopyran ring in the flavonoids. In the xanthine oxidase assay, IC50 value of glycitein was found to be 12±0.86 μg/mL, whereas that of allopurinol was 24±0.28 μg/mL. All the remaining compounds exhibited IC50 values ranging between 22±0.64 to 62±1.18 μg/mL. In the enzyme kinetic studies, flavonoids showed competitive type of enzyme inhibition. It can be concluded that flavonoids could be a promising remedy for the treatment of gout and related inflammatory disorders. Further in-vivo studies are required to develop potential compounds with lesser side effects.

Design and synthesis of some new heterocyclic benzylidene hydrazide derivatives for their antileishmanial activity

ABSTRACT: Benzylidene hydrazide is a highly active moiety against Leishmania donovani, and has become a core structure for the design of new antileishmanial agents. The 5-nitrothiophen-2-yl-benzylidene hydrazide derivative presents a potent IC50 value. With this background, it is attempted to discern the structural and physicochemical requirements for the inhibition of Leishmania donovani. The techniques of quantitative structure activity relationship and docking are valuable molecular modeling tools for drug design. In the present study, 3-DQSAR of some Leishmania donovani inhibitors was carried out using VLife MDS, while interaction studies were carried usind Schrodinger molecular modeling interface. The developed QSAR models showed q2 = 0.9849, pred_r2 = 0.6770 with kNN analysis by stepwise forward and backward method. Docking study revealed important interactions of designed compounds with the active binding site of Leishmania donovani. Designed compounds were synthesis and screened against Leishmania donovani. Three compounds exhibited IC50 values lower than standard drugs. Brief SAR analysis revealed that substitution is important to the activity. KEY WORDS: benzylidene hydrazide derivatives, antileishmanial activity, 3D-QSAR, docking