scholarly journals Novel Positive Allosteric Modulators of µ Opioid Receptor—Insight from In Silico and In Vivo Studies

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (22) ◽  
pp. 8463
Author(s):  
Damian Bartuzi ◽  
Ewa Kędzierska ◽  
Agnieszka A. Kaczor ◽  
Helmut Schmidhammer ◽  
Dariusz Matosiuk
Keyword(s):  
Opioid Receptor ◽  
In Silico ◽  
Antinociceptive Effect ◽  
In Vivo Studies ◽  
Allosteric Modulators ◽  
Allosteric Site ◽  
Μ Opioid Receptor ◽  
Dynamics Simulations ◽  
Higher Doses

Opioids are the drugs of choice in severe pain management. Unfortunately, their use involves serious, potentially lethal side effects. Therefore, efforts in opioid drug design turn toward safer and more effective mechanisms, including allosteric modulation. In this study, molecular dynamics simulations in silico and ‘writhing’ tests in vivo were used to characterize potential allosteric mechanism of two previously reported compounds. The results suggest that investigated compounds bind to μ opioid receptor in an allosteric site, augmenting action of morphine at subeffective doses, and exerting antinociceptive effect alone at higher doses. Detailed analysis of in silico calculations suggests that first of the compounds behaves more like allosteric agonist, while the second compound acts mainly as a positive allosteric modulator.

scholarly journals Dual mechanisms of opioid-induced respiratory depression in the inspiratory rhythm-generating network

eLife ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nathan A Baertsch ◽  
Nicholas E Bush ◽  
Nicholas J Burgraff ◽  
Jan-Marino Ramirez
Keyword(s):  
Transgenic Mice ◽  
Synaptic Transmission ◽  
Respiratory Depression ◽  
Opioid Receptor ◽  
In Silico ◽  
Pronounced Decrease ◽  
Life Threatening ◽  
Μ Opioid Receptor

The analgesic utility of opioid-based drugs is limited by the life-threatening risk of respiratory depression. Opioid-induced respiratory depression (OIRD), mediated by the μ-opioid receptor (MOR), is characterized by a pronounced decrease in the frequency and regularity of the inspiratory rhythm, which originates from the medullary preBӧtzinger Complex (preBӧtC). To unravel the cellular- and network-level consequences of MOR activation in the preBӧtC, MOR- expressing neurons were optogenetically identified and manipulated in transgenic mice in vitro and in vivo. Based on these results, a model of OIRD was developed in silico. We conclude that hyperpolarization of MOR-expressing preBӧtC neurons alone does not phenocopy OIRD. Instead, the effects of MOR activation are twofold: 1) pre-inspiratory spiking is reduced and 2) excitatory synaptic transmission is suppressed, thereby disrupting network-driven rhythmogenesis. These dual mechanisms of opioid action act synergistically to make the normally robust inspiratory rhythm generating network particularly prone to collapse when challenged with exogenous opioids.

scholarly journals Dual mechanisms of opioid-induced respiratory depression in the inspiratory rhythm-generating network

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nathan A Baertsch ◽  
Nicholas E Bush ◽  
Nicholas J Burgraff ◽  
Jan-Marino Ramirez
Keyword(s):  
Transgenic Mice ◽  
Synaptic Transmission ◽  
Respiratory Depression ◽  
Opioid Receptor ◽  
In Silico ◽  
Pronounced Decrease ◽  
Life Threatening ◽  
Μ Opioid Receptor

AbstractThe analgesic utility of opioid-based drugs is limited by the life-threatening risk of respiratory depression. Opioid-induced respiratory depression (OIRD), mediated by the μ-opioid receptor (MOR), is characterized by a pronounced decrease in the frequency and regularity of the inspiratory rhythm, which originates from the medullary preBötzinger Complex (preBӧtC). To unravel the cellular- and network-level consequences of MOR activation in the preBötC, MOR-expressing neurons were optogenetically identified and manipulated in transgenic mice in vitro and in vivo. Based on these results, a model of OIRD was developed in silico. We conclude that hyperpolarization of MOR-expressing preBötC neurons alone does not phenocopy OIRD. Instead, the effects of MOR activation are twofold: 1) pre-inspiratory spiking is reduced and 2) excitatory synaptic transmission is suppressed, thereby disrupting network-driven rhythmogenesis. These dual mechanisms of opioid action act together to make the normally robust inspiratory-rhythm-generating network particularly prone to collapse when challenged with exogenous opioids.

scholarly journals A tetrapeptide class of biased analgesics from an Australian fungus targets the µ-opioid receptor

2019 ◽  
Vol 116 (44) ◽  
pp. 22353-22358 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zoltan Dekan ◽  
Setareh Sianati ◽  
Arsalan Yousuf ◽  
Katy J. Sutcliffe ◽  
Alexander Gillis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
G Protein ◽  
Opioid Receptor ◽  
Receptor Internalization ◽  
Opioid Agonists ◽  
Receptor Interactions ◽  
Biased Signaling ◽  
Μ Opioid Receptor ◽  
Dynamics Simulations ◽  
Orally Active

An Australian estuarine isolate of Penicillium sp. MST-MF667 yielded 3 tetrapeptides named the bilaids with an unusual alternating LDLD chirality. Given their resemblance to known short peptide opioid agonists, we elucidated that they were weak (Ki low micromolar) μ-opioid agonists, which led to the design of bilorphin, a potent and selective μ-opioid receptor (MOPr) agonist (Ki 1.1 nM). In sharp contrast to all-natural product opioid peptides that efficaciously recruit β-arrestin, bilorphin is G protein biased, weakly phosphorylating the MOPr and marginally recruiting β-arrestin, with no receptor internalization. Importantly, bilorphin exhibits a similar G protein bias to oliceridine, a small nonpeptide with improved overdose safety. Molecular dynamics simulations of bilorphin and the strongly arrestin-biased endomorphin-2 with the MOPr indicate distinct receptor interactions and receptor conformations that could underlie their large differences in bias. Whereas bilorphin is systemically inactive, a glycosylated analog, bilactorphin, is orally active with similar in vivo potency to morphine. Bilorphin is both a unique molecular tool that enhances understanding of MOPr biased signaling and a promising lead in the development of next generation analgesics.

Recent In Vitro and In Silico Advances in the Understanding of Intranasal Drug Delivery

2020 ◽  
Vol 26 ◽  
Author(s):  
John Chen ◽  
Andrew Martin ◽  
Warren H. Finlay
Keyword(s):  
Drug Delivery ◽  
In Silico ◽  
Local Drug Delivery ◽  
In Vivo Studies ◽  
Intranasal Drug Delivery ◽  
Nasal Sprays ◽  
In Silico Studies ◽  
Drug Delivery Devices

Background: Many drugs are delivered intranasally for local or systemic effect, typically in the form of droplets or aerosols. Because of the high cost of in vivo studies, drug developers and researchers often turn to in vitro or in silico testing when first evaluating the behavior and properties of intranasal drug delivery devices and formulations. Recent advances in manufacturing and computer technologies have allowed for increasingly realistic and sophisticated in vitro and in silico reconstructions of the human nasal airways. Objective: To perform a summary of advances in understanding of intranasal drug delivery based on recent in vitro and in silico studies. Conclusion: The turbinates are a common target for local drug delivery applications, and while nasal sprays are able to reach this region, there is currently no broad consensus across the in vitro and in silico literature concerning optimal parameters for device design, formulation properties and patient technique which would maximize turbinate deposition. Nebulizers are able to more easily target the turbinates, but come with the disadvantage of significant lung deposition. Targeting of the olfactory region of the nasal cavity has been explored for potential treatment of central nervous system conditions. Conventional intranasal devices, such as nasal sprays and nebulizers, deliver very little dose to the olfactory region. Recent progress in our understanding of intranasal delivery will be useful in the development of the next generation of intranasal drug delivery devices.

In-silico Studies of Isolated Phytoalkaloid Against Lipoxygenase: Study Based on Possible Correlation

2018 ◽  
Vol 21 (3) ◽  
pp. 215-221
Author(s):  
Haroon Khan ◽  
Muhammad Zafar ◽  
Helena Den-Haan ◽  
Horacio Perez-Sanchez ◽  
Mohammad Amjad Kamal
Keyword(s):  
In Silico ◽  
Docking Studies ◽  
In Vivo Studies ◽  
In Vitro Assays ◽  
Chronic Obstructive ◽  
Lipoxygenase Inhibitors ◽  
Lipoxygenase Inhibition ◽  
In Silico Studies

Aim and Objective: Lipoxygenase (LOX) enzymes play an important role in the pathophysiology of several inflammatory and allergic diseases including bronchial asthma, allergic rhinitis, atopic dermatitis, allergic conjunctivitis, rheumatoid arthritis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Inhibitors of the LOX are believed to be an ideal approach in the treatment of diseases caused by its over-expression. In this regard, several synthetic and natural agents are under investigation worldwide. Alkaloids are the most thoroughly investigated class of natural compounds with outstanding past in clinically useful drugs. In this article, we have discussed various alkaloids of plant origin that have already shown lipoxygenase inhibition in-vitro with possible correlation in in silico studies. Materials and Methods: Molecular docking studies were performed using MOE (Molecular Operating Environment) software. Among the ten reported LOX alkaloids inhibitors, derived from plant, compounds 4, 2, 3 and 1 showed excellent docking scores and receptor sensitivity. Result and Conclusion: These compounds already exhibited in vitro lipoxygenase inhibition and the MOE results strongly correlated with the experimental results. On the basis of these in vitro assays and computer aided results, we suggest that these compounds need further detail in vivo studies and clinical trial for the discovery of new more effective and safe lipoxygenase inhibitors. In conclusion, these results might be useful in the design of new and potential lipoxygenase (LOX) inhibitors.

Promising Anti-stroke Signature of Voglibose: Investigation through In- Silico Molecular Docking and Virtual Screening in In-Vivo Animal Studies

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (3) ◽  
pp. 223-235
Author(s):  
Pooja Shah ◽  
Vishal Chavda ◽  
Snehal Patel ◽  
Shraddha Bhadada ◽  
Ghulam Md. Ashraf
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Docking ◽  
Virtual Screening ◽  
In Silico ◽  
Reductase Activity ◽  
Infarct Volume ◽  
Docking Studies ◽  
Serum Glucose ◽  
In Vivo Studies ◽  
In Silico Molecular Docking

Background: Postprandial hyperglycemia considered to be a major risk factor for cerebrovascular complications. Objective: The current study was designed to elucidate the beneficial role of voglibose via in-silico in vitro to in-vivo studies in improving the postprandial glycaemic state by protection against strokeprone type 2 diabetes. Material and Methods: In-Silico molecular docking and virtual screening were carried out with the help of iGEMDOCK+ Pymol+docking software and Protein Drug Bank database (PDB). Based on the results of docking studies, in-vivo investigation was carried out for possible neuroprotective action. T2DM was induced by a single injection of streptozotocin (90mg/kg, i.v.) to neonates. Six weeks after induction, voglibose was administered at the dose of 10mg/kg p.o. for two weeks. After eight weeks, diabetic rats were subjected to middle cerebral artery occlusion, and after 72 hours of surgery, neurological deficits were determined. The blood was collected for the determination of serum glucose, CK-MB, LDH and lipid levels. Brains were excised for determination of brain infarct volume, brain hemisphere weight difference, Na+-K+ ATPase activity, ROS parameters, NO levels, and aldose reductase activity. Results: In-silico docking studies showed good docking binding score for stroke associated proteins, which possibly hypotheses neuroprotective action of voglibose in stroke. In the present in-vivo study, pre-treatment with voglibose showed a significant decrease (p<0.05) in serum glucose and lipid levels. Voglibose has shown significant (p<0.05) reduction in neurological score, brain infarct volume, the difference in brain hemisphere weight. On biochemical evaluation, treatment with voglibose produced significant (p<0.05) decrease in CK-MB, LDH, and NO levels in blood and reduction in Na+-K+ ATPase, oxidative stress, and aldose reductase activity in brain homogenate. Conclusion: In-silico molecular docking and virtual screening studies and in-vivo studies in MCAo induced stroke, animal model outcomes support the strong anti-stroke signature for possible neuroprotective therapeutics.

scholarly journals Predicting Absorption-Distribution Properties of Neuroprotective Phosphine-Borane Compounds Using In Silico Modeling and Machine Learning

Molecules ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (9) ◽  
pp. 2505
Author(s):  
Raheem Remtulla ◽  
Sanjoy Kumar Das ◽  
Leonard A. Levin
Keyword(s):  
Machine Learning ◽  
Neural Networks ◽  
In Silico ◽  
Disulfide Bonds ◽  
Oral Absorption ◽  
In Vivo Studies ◽  
Drug Candidates ◽  
In Silico Methods

Phosphine-borane complexes are novel chemical entities with preclinical efficacy in neuronal and ophthalmic disease models. In vitro and in vivo studies showed that the metabolites of these compounds are capable of cleaving disulfide bonds implicated in the downstream effects of axonal injury. A difficulty in using standard in silico methods for studying these drugs is that most computational tools are not designed for borane-containing compounds. Using in silico and machine learning methodologies, the absorption-distribution properties of these unique compounds were assessed. Features examined with in silico methods included cellular permeability, octanol-water partition coefficient, blood-brain barrier permeability, oral absorption and serum protein binding. The resultant neural networks demonstrated an appropriate level of accuracy and were comparable to existing in silico methodologies. Specifically, they were able to reliably predict pharmacokinetic features of known boron-containing compounds. These methods predicted that phosphine-borane compounds and their metabolites meet the necessary pharmacokinetic features for orally active drug candidates. This study showed that the combination of standard in silico predictive and machine learning models with neural networks is effective in predicting pharmacokinetic features of novel boron-containing compounds as neuroprotective drugs.

In silico identification of viper phospholipaseA2 inhibitors: validation by in vitro, in vivo studies

2011 ◽  
Vol 17 (12) ◽  
pp. 3063-3073 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amit Nargotra ◽  
Sujata Sharma ◽  
Mohd Iqbal Alam ◽  
Zabeer Ahmed ◽  
Asha Bhagat ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
In Silico ◽  
In Vivo Studies ◽  
In Silico Identification

scholarly journals In Silico Screening of Potential Drug with Antileishmanial Activty and Validation of their Activity by in Vitro and in Vivo Studies

2015 ◽  
Vol 9 (6) ◽  
Author(s):  
Carol V. Mesa ◽  
Gustavo A. Blandón ◽  
Diana L. Muñoz ◽  
Carlos E. Muskus ◽  
Andrés F. Flórez ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
In Silico ◽  
In Vivo Studies ◽  
Potential Drug ◽  
In Silico Screening
Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document