Eugenol has diverse biological properties including antimycobacterial activity, and the triazole ring is an important heterocycle in antimycobacterial compounds. Therefore, this research aimed to synthesize novel eugenol-derived 1,2,3-triazole as antimycobacterial agents with interesting cytotoxic profile and pharmacological assets. Sixteen compounds were obtained and characterized by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), infrared (IR), and high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS). Among them, the best growth inhibition properties from a microdilution assay were observed for three derivatives: a benzylic ether (minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) = 48.89 µM) against Mycobacterium abscessus (ATCC 19977), an O-galactosyde (MIC = 31.76 µM) against Mycobacterium massiliense (ATCC 48898) and a sulfonate (MIC = 88.64 µM) against Mycobacterium fortuitum (ATCC 6841). They can form biofilms, and the infection progression is challenging to control due to multi-drug resistance profiles against diverse antibiotics. In conclusion, the above-mentioned compounds represent starting points in the search of bioactive molecules against mycobacteria with low cytotoxicity and better pharmacological profiles.
Background: Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is one of the most common malignancies in humans and the average 5-year survival rate is one of the lowest among aggressive cancers. Protein kinase C zeta (PKCZ) is highly expressed in head and neck tumors, and the inhibition of PKCZ reduces MAPK activation in five of seven head and neck tumors cell lines. Considering the worldwide HNSCC problems, there is an urgent need to develop new drugs to treat this disease, that present low toxicity, effective results and that are relatively inexpensive. Method: A unified approach involving homology modeling, docking and molecular dynamics simulations studies on PKCZ are presented. The in silico study on this enzyme was undertaken using 10 compounds from latex of Euphorbia tirucalli L. (aveloz). Results: The binding free energies highlight that the main contribution in energetic terms for the compounds-PKCZ interactions is based on van der Waals. The per-residue decomposition free energy from the PKCZ revealed that the compounds binding were favorably stabilized by residues Glu300, Ileu383 and Asp394. Based on the docking, Xscore and molecular dynamics results, euphol, ß-sitosterol and taraxasterol were confirmed as the promising lead compounds. Conclusion: The present study should therefore play a guiding role in the experimental design and development of euphol, ß-sitosterol and taraxasterol as anticancer agents in head and neck tumors. They are potential lead compounds, better than other ligands based on the best values of docking and MM-PBSA energy.
Schistosomiasis - caused by trematodes from the genus Schistosoma - affects more than 200 million people worldwide. Growing resistance to therapy with praziquantel (PZQ) has encouraged the search for novel treatments against this neglected disease. The compound 7-epiclusianone (7-epi) - isolated from 'bacupari' (the fruit of the Gracinia brasiliensis tree) - has promising activity against Schistosoma mansoni in vitro, damaging the parasite's tegument. However, the target and mechanism of action of 7-epi have not been identified. Here, we examined the possibility that 7-epi harms the tegument by inhibiting parasite superoxide dismutase (SOD), which protects the tegument from damage by reactive oxygen species produced by host immune cells. Molecular docking analysis in silico suggested strong interactions between 7-epi and S. mansoni cytosolic superoxide dismutase (SmCtSOD) at allosteric cavities. Schistosoma mansoni couples were cultivated ex vivo with 12.44-198.96 μm 7-epi for 24 h, and then parasite extracts were tested for lipid peroxidation (as a surrogate for oxidative stress), and SOD activity and expression. Lipid peroxidation levels increased after incubation with concentrations ≥99.48 μm 7-epi, and this compound reduced SOD activity at concentrations ≥24.87 μm. However, contact with 7-epi did not alter SOD expression, by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Our results show that the inhibition of SmCtSOD is partly responsible for the tegument detachment observed after incubation with 7-epi, but is not the only cause of the antiparasitic action of this compound in vitro.
Background: In the rational drug development field, a bioisosterism is a tool that improves lead compounds performance, reffering to molecular fragment substitution that has similar physical-chemical properties. Thus, it is possible to modulate drug properties such as absorption, toxicity, and half-life increase. This modulation is of pivotal importance in the discovery, development, identification, and interpretation of the mode of action of biologically active compounds. Objective: Our purpose here is to review the development and application of bioisosterism in drug discovery. In this study history, applications, and use of bioisosteric molecules to create new drugs with high binding affinity in the protein-ligand complexes are described. Method: It is an approach for molecular modification of a prototype based on the replacement of molecular fragments with similar physicochemical properties, being related to the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic phase, aiming at the optimization of the molecules. Results: Discovery, development, identification, and interpretation of the mode of action of biologically active compounds are the most important factors for drug design. The strategy adopted for the improvement of leading compounds is bioisosterism. Conclusion: Bioisosterism methodology is a great advance for obtaining new analogs to existing drugs, enabling the development of new drugs with reduced toxicity, in a comparative analysis with existing drugs. Bioisosterism has a wide spectrum to assist in several research areas.
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