Deoxyribonucleases (DNases) are a class of enzymes able to catalyze DNA hydrolysis. DNases play important roles in cell function, while DNase inhibitors control or modify their activities. This review focuses on DNase inhibitors. Some DNase inhibitors have been isolated from various natural sources, such as humans, animals (beef, calf, rabbit and rat), plants (Nicotiana tabacum), and microorganisms (some Streptomyces and Adenovirus species, Micromonospora echinospora and Escherichia coli), while others have been obtained by chemical synthesis. They differ in chemical structure (various proteins, nucleotides, anthracycline and aminoglycoside antibiotics, synthetic organic and inorganic compounds) and mechanism of action (forming complexes with DNases or DNA). Some of the inhibitors are specific toward only one type of DNase, while others are active towards two or more. Physico-chemical properties of DNase inhibitors are calculated using the Molinspiration tool and most of them meet all criteria for good solubility and permeability. DNase inhibitors may be used as pharmaceuticals for preventing, monitoring and treating various diseases.

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DNase I inhibitory potential of water extract of nine Hypericum species (H. umbellatum, H. barbatum, H. rumeliacum, H. rochelii, H. perforatum, H. tetrapterum, H. olympicum, H. hirsutum, H. linarioides) and the most important Hypericum secondary metabolites (hypericin, hyperforin, quercetin, and rutin) was investigated. All examined Hypericum extracts inhibited DNase I with IC50 below 800 μg/ml, whereby H. perforatum was the most potent (IC50=391.26±68.40 μg/ml). Among the investigated Hypericum secondary metabolites, rutin inhibited bovine pancreatic DNase I in a non‐competitive manner with IC50 value of 108.90±9.73 μm. DNase I inhibitory ability of rutin was further confirmed on DNase I in rat liver homogenate (IC50=137.17±16.65 μm). Due to the involvement of DNase I in apoptotic processes the results of this study indicate the importance of frequent rutin and H. perforatum consumption in daily human nutrition. Rutin is a dietary component that can contribute to male infertility prevention by showing dual mechanism of sperm DNA protection, DNase I inhibition and antioxidant activity.

Dipeptidyl peptidase-IV (DPP-IV) (EC 3.4.14.5) is а member of the broad class of hydrolytic enzymes which is responsible for degradation of the incretin peptide hormones regulating blood glucose levels. In this article we review the literature on natural and synthetic DPP-IV inhibitors, focusing their chemical structure and mechanism of action. Further, physico-chemical, pharmacokinetic and toxicological properties of DPP-IV inhibitors are calculated and compared. On the basis of literature data we selected the DPP-IV inhibitors with IC50 values below 1 nM and discussed their possible application in therapy of type 2 diabetes mellitus.

The results presented herein represent our continued study based on the modification of phenolic functionality in molecules originated from natural sources by acylation. A small focused library of nineteen eugenyl esters, with four of which are new compounds, is reported. All compounds were subjected to in vitro antimicrobial testing. In silico studies were carried out calculating physico-chemical, pharmacokinetic and toxicological properties, providing more data as additional guidance for further research.