The potential of
the 4,6-diphenyl-3,4-dihydropyrimidine-2(1H)-thione
(abbreviated as KKII5) and (E)-N′-benzylidenehydrazinecarbothiohydrazide
(abbreviated as DKI5) compounds as possible drug leads
is investigated. KKII5 and DKI5 are synthesized
in high yield of up to 97%. Their structure, binding in the active
site of the LOX-1 enzyme, and their toxicity are studied via joint
experimental and computational methodologies. Specifically, the structure
assignment and conformational analysis were achieved by applying homonuclear
and heteronuclear 2D nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy
(2D-COSY, 2D-NOESY, 2D-HSQC, and 2D-HMBC) and density functional theory
(DFT). The obtained DFT lowest energy conformers were in agreement
with the NOE correlations observed in the 2D-NOESY spectra. Additionally,
docking and molecular dynamics simulations were performed to discover
their ability to bind and remain stabile in the active site of the
LOX-1 enzyme. These in silico experiments and DFT calculations indicated
favorable binding for the enzyme under study. The strongest binding
energy, −9.60 kcal/mol, was observed for dihydropyrimidinethione KKII5 in the active site of LOX-1. ADMET calculations showed
that the two molecules lack major toxicities and could serve as possible
drug leads. The redox potential of the active center of LOX-1 with
the binding molecules was calculated via DFT methodology. The results
showed a significantly smaller energy attachment of 2.8 eV with KKII5 binding in comparison to DKI5. Thus, KKII5 enhanced the ability of the active center to receive
electrons compared to DKI5. This is related to the stronger
binding interaction of KKII5 relative to that of DK15 to LOX-1. The two very potent LOX-1 inhibitors exerted
IC50 19 μΜ (KKII5) and 22.5 μΜ
(DKI5). Furthermore, they both strongly inhibit lipid
peroxidation, namely, 98% for KKII5 and 94% for DKI5.