3D-QSAR-based design, synthesis and biological evaluation of 2,4-disubstituted quinoline derivatives as antimalarial agents.

2,4-Disubstituted quinoline derivatives were designed based on a 3D-QSAR study, synthesized and evaluated for antimalarial activity. A large dataset of 178 quinoline derivatives was used to perform a 3D-QSAR study using CoMFA and CoMSIA models. PLS analysis provided statistically validated results for CoMFA (r2ncv = 0.969, q2 = 0.677, r2cv = 0.682) and CoMSIA (r2ncv = 0.962, q2 = 0.741, r2cv = 0.683) models. Two series of a total of 40 2,4-disubstituted quinoline derivatives were designed with amide (quinoline-4-carboxamide) and secondary amine (4-aminoquinoline) linkers at the -C4 position of the quinoline ring. For the purpose of selecting better compounds for synthesis with good pEC50 values, activity prediction was carried out using CoMFA and CoMSIA models. Finally, a total of 10 2,4-disubstituted quinoline derivatives were synthesized, and screened for their antimalarial activity based on the reduction of parasitaemia. Compound #5 with amide linker and compound #19 with secondary amine linkers at the -C4 position of the quinoline ring showed maximum reductions of 64% and 57%, respectively, in the level of parasitaemia. In vivo screening assay confirmed and validated the findings of the 3D-QSAR study for the design of quinoline derivatives.

Identification of novel PfDHODH inhibitors as antimalarial agents via pharmacophore-based virtual screening followed by molecular docking and in vivo antimalarial activity.

Plasmodium falciparum dihydroorotate dehydrogenase (PfDHODH) catalyses the fourth reaction of de novo pyrimidine biosynthesis in parasites, and represents an important target for the treatment of malaria. In this study, we describe pharmacophore-based virtual screening combined with docking study and biological evaluation as a rational strategy for identification of novel hits as antimalarial agents. Pharmacophore models were established from known PfDHODH inhibitors using the GALAHAD module with IC50 values ranging from 0.033 µM to 142 µM. The best pharmacophore model consisted of three hydrogen bond acceptor, one hydrogen bond donor and one hydrophobic features. The pharmacophore models were validated through receiver operating characteristic and Günere-Henry scoring methods. The best pharmacophore model as a 3D search query was searched against the IBS database. Several compounds with different structures (scaffolds) were retrieved as hit molecules. Among these compounds, those with a QFIT value of more than 81 were docked in the PfDHODH enzyme to further explore the binding modes of these compounds. In silico pharmacokinetic and toxicities were predicted for the best docked molecules. Finally, the identified hits were evaluated in vivo for their antimalarial activity in a parasite inhibition assay. The hits reported here showed good potential to become novel antimalarial agents.

Interleukin-1beta partially alleviates cyclosporin A-induced suppression of IgG1 isotype response to thyroglobulin in BALB/c mice in vivo.

Cyclosporin A (CsA) at 120 mg/kg body weight when injected subcutaneously into BALB/c mice along with thyroglobulin emulsified in incomplete Freund's adjuvant (IFA) was found to suppress antigen-specific IgG titre by 86%. Isotyping revealed that both IgG1 and IgG2a titres were suppressed by 87% and 57%, respectively. But under identical conditions when complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) was used, the suppression of antigen-specific IgG, IgG1 and IgG2a titres was 50%, 51% and 55%, respectively. Injection of anti-IL-1beta-neutralizing hamster monoclonal antibodies along with thyroglobulin and CsA emulsified in CFA increased the suppression of antigen-specific IgG titre. Under such conditions the IgG1 titre was suppressed more than the IgG2a titre. Recombinant human interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (rhuIL-1ra) also enhanced the suppression caused by CsA in the presence of CFA but control hamster immunoglobulin had no such effect. Recombinant human IL-1beta, when administered along with thyroglobulin and CsA emulsified in IFA, alleviated the suppression of antigen-specific IgG titre and the IgG1 titre was alleviated more than the IgG2a titre. Under identical conditions, rhuIL-1ra did not alleviate CsA-induced suppression. Lymphocytes from the lymph nodes of thyroglobulin-sensitized BALB/c mice when stimulated in vitro by thyroglobulin in the presence of CsA, secreted very little interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) and IL-4, but on addition of an optimal dose of rhuIL-1beta, IFN-gamma and IL-4 secretion was partially restored.

Setaria digitata adult 14- to 20-kDa antigens induce differential Th1/Th2 cytokine responses in the lymphocytes of endemic normals and asymptomatic microfilariae carriers in bancroftian filariasis.

High titers of parasite antigen-specific IgG4 antibodies have been found to be circulating in the peripheral blood of chronic patients, asymptomatic microfilariae carriers, and endemic normals in bancroftian filariasis. But in contrast to this, the titers of antigen-specific IgG1, IgG2, and IgG3 isotype antibodies are much lower. Using soluble antigens of adult Setaria digitata, a cattle parasite which shows strong antigenic reactivity with filaria sera, we have identified, by immunoblot, 14- to 20-kDa antigens which are recognized only by the IgG4 isotype antibodies present in the sera of asymptomatic microfilariae carriers. These 14- to 20-kDa antigens, after fractionation by SDS-PAGE and transfer to nitrocellulose paper, when solubilized and tested in vitro, induced secretion of a higher quantity of IFN-gamma and a lower quantity of IL-4, IL-5, and IL-10 (differential Th1 and Th2 response) in the lymphocytes of endemic normals in comparison to what they induced in the lymphocytes of asymptomatic microfilariae carriers.