Hetero-Tricyclic Lead Scaffold as Novel PDE5A Inhibitor for Antihypertensive Activity: In Silico Docking Studies

Objective:To screen the phytochemicals for phosphodiesterase 5A (PDE5A) inhibitory potential and identify lead scaffolds of antihypertensive phytochemicals using in silico docking studies.Methods:In this perspective, reported 269 antihypertensive phytochemicals were selected. Sildenafil, a PDE5A inhibitor was used as the standard. In silico docking study was carried out to screen and identify the inhibiting potential of the selected phytochemicals against PDE5A enzyme using vLife MDS 4.4 software.Results:Based on docking score, π-stacking, H-bond and ionic interactions, 237 out of 269 molecules were selected which have shown one or more interactions. Protein residue Gln817A was involved in H-boding whereas Val782A, Phe820A and Leu804A were involved in π-stacking interaction with ligand. The selected 237 phytochemicals were structurally diverse, therefore 82 out of 237 molecules with one or more tricycles were filtered out for further analysis. Amongst tricyclic molecules, 14 molecules containing nitrogen heteroatom were selected for lead scaffold identification which finally resulted in three different basic chemical backbones like pyridoindole, tetrahydro-pyridonaphthyridine and dihydro-pyridoquinazoline as lead scaffolds.Conclusion:In silico docking studies revealed that nitrogen-containing tetrahydro-pyridonaphthyridine and dihydro-pyridoquinazoline tricyclic lead scaffolds have emerged as novel PDE5A inhibitors for antihypertensive activity. The identified lead scaffolds may provide antihypertensive lead molecules after its optimization.

Inhibition of Biofilm and Virulence Factors of Candida albicans by Partially Purified Secondary Metabolites of Streptomyces chrestomyceticus Strain ADP4

Background: Despite several advancements in antifungal drug discovery, fungal diseases like Invasive Candidiasis (IC) still remain associated with high rates of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Thus there is an enormous need for anti-Candida drugs. Objective: The main objectives of the work included: 1. To investigate therapeutically significant classes of secondary metabolites produced by S. chrestomyceticus strain ADP4. 2. To investigate and analyze inhibition of significant virulence attributes of C. albicans, such as, biofilm and secretory hydrolytic enzymes by ADP4 secondary metabolites. 3. Mechanistic analysis of probable compounds for their site of action on Secretary Aspartyl Proteinase 3 (Sap3). Methods: Metabolite extract-SDB (MESDB) of S. chrestomyceticus strain ADP4 was fractionated on silica gel column chromatography. Fractions were analyzed for anti-Candida activity by disc diffusion assay. Active fractions were further purified by differential solvent treatment. MIC90 values were determined by broth dilution method. MFC was based on counting viable cells. Inhibition of yeast to hyphae transition and that of production of hydrolytic enzymes were estimated by plate assays. GC-MS of MESDB and Partially Purified Metabolite preparations (PPMs) was done. GRIP docking studies with Sap 3 of C. albicans was done using VLife MDS 4.6 software. Results: Chemical profiling showed that ADP4 secondary metabolites contained alkaloids, flavonoids, polyphenols, terpenoids and triterpenes. The MESDB and the PPMs showed low or no cytotoxicity but were able to effectively contain virulence attributes of Candida pathogen. Docking studies revealed that some of the probable compounds have affinity for aspartic acid residue in Sap3 enzyme of C. albicans. Conclusion: Secondary metabolite of strain ADP4 included important classes of therapeutically important compounds. Their anti-Candida activity was mediated by inhibition of critical virulence factors of the pathogen.

QUANTITATIVE STRUCTURE-ACTIVITY RELATIONSHIP ANALYSIS OF NOVEL PYRAZOLINE DERIVATIVES USING K NEAREST NEIGHBOUR MOLECULAR FIELD ANALYSIS METHOD

Objective: Malonyl CoA decarboxylase (MCD) enzyme plays important role in fatty acid and glucose oxidation. Inhibition of MCD might turn to a novel approach to treat ischemia. The main objective of this research article was to develop a novel pharmacophore for enhanced activity.Methods: Three-dimensional quantitative structure-activity relationships (3D-QSAR) was performed for pyrazoline derivatives as MCD inhibitors using VLife MDS 4.6 software. The QSAR model was developed using the stepwise 3D-QSAR kNN-MFA method.Results: The statistical results generated from kNN-MFA method indicated the significance and requirements for better MCD inhibitory activity. The information rendered by 3D-QSAR model may render to better understanding and designing of novel MCD inhibitors.Conclusion: 3D-QSAR is an important tool in understanding the structural requirements for the design of novel and potent MCD inhibitors. It can be employed to design new drug discovery.

Docking Studies and Biological Activity of Fosinopril Analogs

The purpose of the present study was to determine the angiotensin-I converting enzyme inhibitory activity of few novel Fosinopril derivatives which were predicted to possess better ACE inhibitory activity and lesser side effects than the existing drug molecule. In vitro study was carried out to determine ACE inhibitory activity of six different Fosinopril analogs by spectrophotometric assay procedure. Analog A2 showed the highest activity compared to other analogs and as well as Fosinopril itself. Docking studies of the compounds were done with the help of VLife MDS 3.0 software using GRIP batch docking method to find out which derivative had a better docking with ACE. The compounds which showed the highest negative score in docking have also exhibited good ACE inhibitory activity.

Tyrosinase Inhibitory Activity, 3D QSAR, and Molecular Docking Study of 2,5-Disubstituted-1,3,4-Oxadiazoles

In continuation with our research program, in search of potent enzyme tyrosinase inhibitor, a series of synthesized 2,5-disubstituted 1,3,4-oxadiazoles have been evaluated for enzyme tyrosinase inhibitory activity. Subsequently, 3D QSAR and docking studies were performed to find optimum structural requirements for potent enzyme tyrosinase inhibitor from this series. The synthesized 20 compounds of 2,5-disubstituted-1,3,4-oxadiazole series were screened for mushroom tyrosinase inhibitory activity at various concentrations by enzyme inhibition assay. The percentage enzyme inhibition was calculated by recording absorbance at 492 nm with microplate reader. 3D QSAR and docking studies were performed using VLife MDS 3.5 software. In the series 2,5-disubstituted-1,3,4-oxadiazoles enzyme tyrosinase inhibitory activity was found to be dose dependent with maximum activity for compounds4c,4h,4m, and4r. 3D QSAR and docking studies revealed that more electropositive and less bulky substituents if placed on 1,3,4-oxadiazole nucleus may result in better tyrosinase inhibitory activity in the series.

QSAR analysis of 1,3-diaryl-2-propen-1-ones and their indole analogs for designing potent antibacterial agents

A series of 1,3-diaryl-2-propen-1-ones and their indole analogs were synthesized and evaluated for antibacterial activity. Structures of newly synthesized compounds were confirmed by physicochemical, spectral and elemental analysis. All the compounds were screened for their antibacterial activities against four different bacterial strains. The QSAR studies were performed using Vlife MDS 3.5 software. QSAR equation revealed that selected electronic, steric and lipophilic parameters have good correlation with antibacterial activity. Best equations were selected on basis of the correlation coefficient (r 2) and the predictable ability of the equations. The present findings suggest that the 1,3-diaryl-2-propen-1-ones framework is an attractive template for structure optimization to achieve higher potency, lower toxicity, and a wider spectrum of antibacterial activity.