RESUMO
BACKGROUND: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) have been the most commonly used class of medications worldwide for the last three decades. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to design and synthesize a novel series of methoxyphenyl thiazole carboxamide derivatives and evaluate their cyclooxygenase (COX) suppressant and cytotoxic properties. METHODS: The synthesized compounds were characterized using 1H, 13C-NMR, IR, and HRMS spectrum analysis and were evaluated for their selectivity towards COX-1 and COX-2 using an in vitro COX inhibition assay kit. Besides, their cytotoxicity was evaluated using the Sulforhodamine B (SRB) assay. Moreover, molecular docking studies were conducted to identify the possible binding patterns of these compounds within both COX-1 and COX-2 isozymes, utilizing human X-ray crystal structures. The density functional theory (DFT) analysis was used to evaluate compound chemical reactivity, which was determined by calculating the frontier orbital energy of both HOMO and LUMO orbitals, as well as the HOMO-LUMO energy gap. Finally, the QiKProp module was used for ADME-T analysis. RESULTS: The results revealed that all synthesized molecules have potent inhibitory activities against COX enzymes. The percentage of inhibitory activities at 5 µM concentration against the COX2 enzyme was in the range of 53.9-81.5%, while the percentage against the COX-1 enzyme was 14.7-74.8%. That means almost all of our compounds have selective inhibition activities against the COX-2 enzyme, and the most selective compound was 2f, with selectivity ratio (SR) value of 3.67 at 5 µM concentration, which has a bulky group of trimethoxy on the phenyl ring that could not bind well with the COX-1 enzyme. Compound 2h was the most potent, with an inhibitory activity percentage at 5 µM concentration of 81.5 and 58.2% against COX-2 and COX-1, respectively. The cytotoxicity of these compounds was evaluated against three cancer cell lines: Huh7, MCF-7, and HCT116, and negligible or very weak activities were observed for all of these compounds except compound 2f, which showed moderate activities with IC50 values of 17.47 and 14.57 µM against Huh7 and HCT116 cancer cell lines, respectively. Analysis of the molecular docking suggests 2d, 2e, 2f, and 2i molecules were bound to COX-2 isozyme favorably over COX-1 enzyme, and their interaction behaviors within COX-1 and COX-2 isozymes were comparable to celecoxib, as an ideal selective COX-2 drug, which explained their high potency and COX-2 selectivity. The molecular docking scores and expected affinity using the MM-GBSA approach were consistent with the recorded biological activity. The calculated global reactivity descriptors, such as HOMO and LUMO energies and the HOMO-LUMO gaps, confirmed the key structural features required to achieve favorable binding interactions and thus improve affinity. The in silico ADME-T studies asserted the druggability of molecules and have the potential to become lead molecules in the drug discovery process. CONCLUSION: In general, the series of the synthesized compounds had a strong effect on both enzymes (COX-1 and COX-2) and the trimethoxy compound 2f was more selective than the other compounds.
RESUMO
Ivermectin is a gamma amino butyric acid (GABA)-gated-Cl-channels modulator, which has been used orally in the treatment of numerous parasitic infections. The study target was to set up a stable, efficient 0.2% w/v ivermectin solution, which would be achieved from pure ivermectin powder as a source of the active pharmaceutical ingredient. Several trial solutions were prepared. The most fitting solution, with respect to its organoleptic properties, was chosen for additional investigation, including the solution's physical stability. Two storage conditions, room temperature (25°C, 60% relative humidity) and accelerated stability chambers (40°C, 75% relative humidity) were subjected to guarantee the physical stability of the solution through the 3-month study period. Furthermore, other quality tests were assessed, (e.g., pH, assay, organoleptic properties, microbial contamination) for the same latter period. Quantification of ivermectin was validated utilizing a high-performance liquid chromatography analytical method. The adopted solution showed accepted organoleptic properties. The pH of the solutions was approximately 5 and remained unchanged during the stability study. The mean percent of remained ivermectin solution was close to 97% ± 0.2 at room temperature. Ivermectin solution was additionally tested for microbial contamination, and it was free from any microbial contamination (E. coli bacteria: Negative/mL, yeast and molds count: <10 cfu/mL and aerobic microbial count results in <10 cfu/mL). The adopted formula showed the best physical stability within at least the three months of storage at both room and accelerated conditions. Ivermectin solution was successfully prepared from its pure powder. This formula provides a stable, efficient oral solution for those who suffer from swallowing difficulties or patients in the intensive care unit who cannot receive the medication in a solid dosage form. Using the suggested formula, community and hospital pharmacists could prepare an effective, high quality ivermectin oral solution using pure ivermectin powder.
