Discovery of cinnamamide/ester triazole hybrids as potential treatment for Alzheimer's disease.

Developing multitargeted ligands as promising therapeutics for Alzheimer's disease (AD) has been considered important. Herein, a novel class of cinnamamide/ester-triazole hybrids with multifaceted effects on AD was developed based on the multitarget-directed ligands strategy. Thirty-seven cinnamamide/ester-triazole hybrids were synthesized, with most exhibiting significant inhibitory activity against Aß-induced toxicity at a single concentration in vitro. The most optimal hybrid compound 4j inhibited copper-induced Aß toxicity in AD cells. its action was superior to that of donepezil and memantine. It also moderately inhibited intracellular AChE activity and presented favorable bioavailability and blood-brain barrier penetration with low toxicity in vivo. Of note, it ameliorated cognitive impairment, neuronal degeneration, and Aß deposition in Aß1-42-injured mice. Mechanistically, the compound regulated APP processing by promoting the ADAM10-associated nonamyloidogenic signaling and inhibiting the BACE1-mediated amyloidogenic pathway. Moreover, it suppressed intracellular AChE activity and tau phosphorylation. Therefore, compound 4j may be a promising multitargeted active molecule against AD.

Blocking Effect of Demethylzeylasteral on the Interaction between Human ACE2 Protein and SARS-CoV-2 RBD Protein Discovered Using SPR Technology.

The novel coronavirus disease (2019-nCoV) has been affecting global health since the end of 2019, and there is no sign that the epidemic is abating. Targeting the interaction between the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) spike protein and the human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor is a promising therapeutic strategy. In this study, surface plasmon resonance (SPR) was used as the primary method to screen a library of 960 compounds. A compound 02B05 (demethylzeylasteral, CAS number: 107316-88-1) that had high affinities for S-RBD and ACE2 was discovered, and binding affinities (KD, µM) of 02B05-ACE2 and 02B05-S-RBD were 1.736 and 1.039 µM, respectively. The results of a competition experiment showed that 02B05 could effectively block the binding of S-RBD to ACE2 protein. Furthermore, pseudovirus infection assay revealed that 02B05 could inhibit entry of SARS-CoV-2 pseudovirus into 293T cells to a certain extent at nontoxic concentration. The compoundobtained in this study serve as references for the design of drugs which have potential in the treatment of COVID-19 and can thus accelerate the process of developing effective drugs to treat SARS-CoV-2 infections.

[Research progress of HCV NS5A complex inhibitors].

Direct acting antivirals against the hepatitis C virus (HCV) have been developed and the field has been under a rapid progress in recent years. Especially, HCV inhibitors targeting nonstructural 5A (NS5A) protein are attracting much attention due to the potent antiviral activity, fast viral clearance and broad antiviral spectrum. This article is prepared to cover the main progress of HCV NS5 A complex inhibitors in the market since 2010. The pharmaceutical characteristics of diverse compounds are described and summarized according to their different chemotypes.

[Synthesis and biological activity of substituted xanthines as DPP-â £ inhibitors].

In order to find more potential DPP-IV inhibitor, a series of xanthine-scaffold analogs of linagliptin, an approved antidiabetes drug, were designed and synthesized for SAR study. All compounds with a concentration of 50 nmol·L(-1) showed the inhibitory activity against DPP-IV enzyme in vitro, and the inhibition rate of compounds 1a, 1d and 1f was over 50%. Virtual docking was also performed to facilitate the SAR analysis of these substituted xanthines.

Synthesis and broad-spectrum antiviral activity of some novel benzo-heterocyclic amine compounds.

A series of novel unsaturated five-membered benzo-heterocyclic amine derivatives were synthesized and assayed to determine their in vitro broad-spectrum antiviral activities. The biological results showed that most of our synthesized compounds exhibited potent broad-spectrum antiviral activity. Notably, compounds 3f (IC50=3.21-5.06 µM) and 3g (IC50=0.71-34.87 µM) showed potent activity towards both RNA viruses (influenza A, HCV and Cox B3 virus) and a DNA virus (HBV) at low micromolar concentrations. An SAR study showed that electron-withdrawing substituents located on the aromatic or heteroaromatic ring favored antiviral activity towards RNA viruses.

Osteoporosis: Emerging targets on the classical signaling pathways of bone formation.

Osteoporosis is a multifaceted skeletal disorder characterized by reduced bone mass and structural deterioration, posing a significant public health challenge, particularly in the elderly population. Treatment strategies for osteoporosis primarily focus on inhibiting bone resorption and promoting bone formation. However, the effectiveness and limitations of current therapeutic approaches underscore the need for innovative methods. This review explores emerging molecular targets within crucial signaling pathways, including wingless/integrated (WNT), bone morphogenetic protein (BMP), hedgehog (HH), and Notch signaling pathway, to understand their roles in osteogenesis regulation. The identification of crosstalk targets between these pathways further enhances our comprehension of the intricate bone metabolism cycle. In summary, unraveling the molecular complexity of osteoporosis provides insights into potential therapeutic targets beyond conventional methods, offering a promising avenue for the development of new anabolic drugs.

The antiviral effect of 7-hydroxyisoflavone against Enterovirus 71 in vitro.

Enterovirus 71 (EV71) is the major causative agent of hand foot and mouth disease. And EV71 causes epidemics worldwide, particularly in the Asia-Pacific region. Unfortunately, currently there is no approved vaccine or antiviral drug for EV71-induced disease prevention and therapy. In screening for anti-EV71 candidates, we found that 7-hydroxyisoflavone was active against EV71. 7-Hydroxyisoflavone exhibited strong antiviral activity against three different EV71 strains. The 50% inhibitory concentration range was between 3.25 and 4.92 µM by cytopathic effect assay. 7-Hydroxyisoflavone could reduce EV71 viral RNA and protein synthesis in a dose-dependent manner. Time course study showed that treatment of Vero cells with 7-hydroxyisoflavone at indicated times after EV71 inoculation (0-6 h) resulted in significant antiviral activity. Results showed that 7-hydroxyisoflavone acted at an early step of EV71 replication. 7-Hydroxyisoflavone also exhibited strong antiviral activity against coxsackievirus B2, B3, and B6. In short, 7-hydroxyisoflavone may be used as a lead compound for anti-EV71 drug development.

Synthesis and antiviral activity of N-phenylbenzamide derivatives, a novel class of enterovirus 71 inhibitors.

A series of novel N-phenylbenzamide derivatives were synthesized and their anti-EV 71 activities were assayed in vitro. Among the compounds tested, 3-amino-N-(4-bromophenyl)-4-methoxybenzamide (1e) was active against the EV 71 strains tested at low micromolar concentrations, with IC50 values ranging from 5.7 ± 0.8-12 ± 1.2 µM, and its cytotoxicity to Vero cells (TC50 = 620 ± 0.0 µM) was far lower than that of pirodavir (TC50 = 31 ± 2.2 µM). Based on these results, compound 1e is a promising lead compound for the development of anti-EV 71 drugs.

Synthesis and anti-influenza virus activities of a novel class of gastrodin derivatives.

A series of substituted aryl glycoside analogues of gastrodin have been identified as potential anti-influenza agents. The most potent inhibitor 1a exhibited moderate inhibitory activity against the A/Hanfang/359/95(H3N2) and A/FM/1/47(H1N1) strains of the influenza A virus (IC(50) values of 44.40 and 34.45 µM, respectively) and the oseltamivir-null B/Jifang/13/97 strain of influenza B (IC(50) value of 33.01 µM). In this article, multiple doses of compound 1a (80 mg/kg/day, oral administration) were used for the treatment of mice infected with influenza A/FM/1/47-MA (H1N1), and surprisingly we found that compound 1a significantly increased the number of survivors and prolonged the mean survival time. The preliminary studies on the mechanism of antiviral activity showed no interaction between compound 1a and the neuraminidase or the M2 protein. The novel target to overcome drug resistance combined with its good in vivo profile support compound 1a to be a new lead for further development of antiviral agents.

Design, Synthesis, and Bioactivity Investigation of Cyclic Lipopeptide Antibiotics Containing Eight to Nine Amino Acids.

The current global issue of antibiotic resistance is serious, and there is an urgent requirement of developing novel antibiotics. Octapeptins have recently regained interest because of their activities against resistant Gram-negative bacteria. We synthesized four natural octapeptins and 33 derivatives with diverse polarity, amphiphilicity, and acid-base properties by solid-phase synthesis and investigated their in vitro antibacterial activity and renal cytotoxicity. We also assessed the structure-activity relationship and structure-toxicity relationship of the cyclic lipopeptide compounds. Some compounds showed increased activity against Gram-negative and/or Gram-positive bacteria, with improved renal cytotoxicity. C-02 showed remarkable in vitro antibacterial activity and low renal cytotoxicity. We found that C-02 showed high antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli in vivo and manifested its effects preliminarily by increasing outer membrane permeability. Therefore, C-02 might be a new antibiotic lead compound with not only high efficacy but also low renal cytotoxicity.

Efficacy, Mechanism, and Structure-Activity Relationship of 6-Methoxy Benzofuran Derivatives as a Useful Tool for Senile Osteoporosis.

Most patients with senile osteoporosis (SOP) are severely deficient in bone mass, and treatments using bone resorption inhibitors, such as bisphosphonates, have shown limited efficacy. Small-molecule osteogenesis-promoting drugs are required to improve the treatment for this disease. Previously, we demonstrated that a compound with a benzofuran-like structure promoted bone formation by upregulating BMP-2, and it exhibited a therapeutic effect in SAMP-6 mice, glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis rats, and ovariectomized rats. In this study, aged C57 and SAMP-6 mice models were used to investigate the therapeutic and preventive effects of compound 125 on SOP. scRNA-seq analysis showed that BMP-2 upregulation is the mechanism through which 125 accelerates bone turnover and increases the proportion of osteoblasts. We evaluated the structure-activity relationship of the candidate drugs and found that the derivative I-9 showed significantly higher efficacy than 125 and teriparatide in the zebrafish osteoporosis model. This study provides a foundation for the development of SOP drugs.

Polymyxin-based fluorescent probes to combat Gram-negative antimicrobial resistance.

Reliable diagnostic approaches especially those targeting critical Gram-negative bacteria are urgently needed for the prevention of antimicrobial resistance. Polymyxin B (PMB) which specifically targets the outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria is the last-line antibiotic against life-threatening multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria. However, increasing number of studies have reported the spread of PMB-resistant strains. With the aim to specifically detect Gram-negative bacteria and potentially reduce the irrational use of antibiotics, we herein rationally designed two Gram-negative bacteria specific fluorescent probes based on our previous activity-toxicity optimization of PMB. The in vitro probe PMS-Dns showed fast and selective labeling of Gram-negative pathogens in complex biological cultures. Subsequently, we constructed the caged in vivo fluorescent probe PMS-Cy-NO2 by conjugating bacterial nitroreductase (NTR)-activatable positive charged hydrophobic near-infrared (NIR) fluorophore with polymyxin scaffold. Significantly, PMS-Cy-NO2 exhibited excellent Gram-negative bacterial detection capability with the differentiation between Gram-positive and Gram-negative in a mouse skin infection model.

hIMB1636-MMAE, a Novel TROP2-Targeting Antibody-Drug Conjugate Exerting Potent Antitumor Efficacy in Pancreatic Cancer.

Herein, we first prepared a novel anti-TROP2 antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) hIMB1636-MMAE using hIMB1636 antibody chemically coupled to monomethyl auristatin E (MMAE) via a Valine-Citrulline linker and then reported its characteristics and antitumor activity. With a DAR of 3.92, it binds specifically to both recombinant antigen (KD ∼ 0.687 nM) and cancer cells and could be internalized by target cells and selectively kill them with IC50 values at nanomolar/subnanomolar levels by inducing apoptosis and G2/M phase arrest. hIMB1636-MMAE also inhibited cell migration, induced ADCC effects, and had bystander effects. It displayed significant tumor-targeting ability and excellent tumor-suppressive effects in vivo, resulting in 5/8 tumor elimination at 12 mg/kg in the T3M4 xenograft model or complete tumor disappearance at 10 mg/kg in BxPc-3 xenografts in nude mice. Its half-life in mice was about 87 h. These data suggested that hIMB1636-MMAE was a promising candidate for the treatment of pancreatic cancer with TROP2 overexpression.

Host apolipoprotein B messenger RNA-editing enzyme catalytic polypeptide-like 3G is an innate defensive factor and drug target against hepatitis C virus.

UNLABELLED: Host cellular factor apolipoprotein B messenger RNA (mRNA)-editing enzyme catalytic polypeptide-like 3G (hA3G) is a cytidine deaminase that inhibits a group of viruses including human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1). In the continuation of our research on hA3G, we found that hA3G stabilizing compounds significantly inhibited hepatitis C virus (HCV) replication. Therefore, this study investigated the role of hA3G in HCV replication. Introduction of external hA3G into HCV-infected Huh7.5 human hepatocytes inhibited HCV replication; knockdown of endogenous hA3G enhanced HCV replication. Exogenous HIV-1 virion infectivity factor (Vif) decreased intracellular hA3G and therefore enhanced HCV proliferation, suggesting that the presence of Vif might be an explanation for the HIV-1/HCV coinfection often observed in HIV-1(+) individuals. Treatment of the HCV-infected Huh7.5 cells with RN-5 or IMB-26, two known hA3G stabilizing compounds, increased intracellular hA3G and accordingly inhibited HCV replication. The compounds inhibit HCV through increasing the level of hA3G incorporated into HCV particles, but not through inhibiting HCV enzymes. However, G/A hypermutation in the HCV genome were not detected, suggesting a new antiviral mechanism of hA3G in HCV, different from that in HIV-1. Stabilization of hA3G by RN-5 was safe in vivo. CONCLUSION: hA3G appears to be a cellular restrict factor against HCV and could be a potential target for drug discovery.

Structure-based virtual screening identified novel FOXM1 inhibitors as the lead compounds for ovarian cancer.

Ovarian cancer (OC) is a gynecological tumor with possibly the worst prognosis, its 5-year survival rate being only 47.4%. The first line of therapy prescribed is chemotherapy consisting of platinum and paclitaxel. The primary reason for treatment failure is drug resistance. FOXM1 protein has been found to be closely associated with drug resistance, and inhibition of FOXM1 expression sensitizes cisplatin-resistant ovarian cancer cells. Combining existing first-line chemotherapy drugs with FOXM1 prolongs the overall survival of patients, therefore, FOXM1 is considered a potential therapeutic target in ovarian cancer. Previous research conducted by our team revealed a highly credible conformation of FOXM1 which enables binding by small molecules. Based on this conformation, the current study conducted virtual screening to determine a new structural skeleton for FOXM1 inhibitors which would enhance their medicinal properties. DZY-4 showed the highest affinity towards FOXM1, and its inhibitory effect on proliferation and migration of ovarian cancer at the cellular level was better than or equal to that of cisplatin, while its efficacy was equivalent to that of cisplatin in a nude mouse model. In this study, the anti-tumor effect of DZY-4 is reported for the first time. DZY-4 shows potential as a drug that can be used for ovarian cancer treatment, as well as a drug lead for future research.

Synthesis and anti-ovarian cancer effects of benzimidazole-2-substituted pyridine and phenyl propenone derivatives.

Background: Given the benzimidazole derivatives have anti-ovarian cancer effects, the authors aimed to determine whether benzimidazole-2-substituted pyridine and phenyl propenone derivatives exert anti-ovarian cancer activity. Materials & methods: 21 derivatives were synthesized and assayed for their antiproliferative activities. Western blotting in A2780 cells was used to detect the effects of compound A-6 on apoptosis-related proteins. Invasion, migration and apoptosis were assayed in SKOV3 cells treated with A-6. The in vivo activity was also examined. Results: A-6 could inhibit proliferation, invasion and migration and induce apoptosis in SKOV3 cells. Additionally, A-6 had potent inhibitory activity in a xenograft mouse model. Conclusion: A-6 shows potent efficacy in the treatment of ovarian cancer and may be a potential antitumor agent.

Structure-based virtual screening towards the discovery of novel FOXM1 inhibitors.

Aim: Given the importance of FOXM1 in the treatment of ovarian cancer, we aimed to identify an excellent specific inhibitor and examined its underlying therapeutic effect. Materials & methods: The binding statistics for FDI-6 with FOXM1 were calculated through computer-aided drug design. We selected XST-119 through virtual screening, performed surface plasmon resonance and in vitro cell antiproliferative activity analysis and evaluated its antitumor efficacy in a mouse model. Results: XST-119 had significantly higher affinity for FOXM1 and antiproliferative activity than FDI-6. XST-119 had a definite inhibitory activity in a xenograft mouse model. Conclusion: We identified XST-119, a FOXM1 inhibitor, with better efficacy for treatment of ovarian cancer. FOXM1 binding sites for small molecules are also highlighted, which may provide the foundation for further drug discovery.

Small molecular compounds inhibit HIV-1 replication through specifically stabilizing APOBEC3G.

APOBEC3G (hA3G) is a host inhibitor for human immunodeficiency virus, type 1 (HIV-1). However, HIV-1 Vif binds hA3G and induces its degradation. We have established a screening system to discover inhibitors that protect hA3G from Vif-mediated degradation. Through screening, compounds IMB-26 and IMB-35 were identified to be specific inhibitors for the degradation of hA3G by Vif. The inhibitors suppressed HIV-1 replication in hA3G-containing cells but not in those without hA3G. The anti-HIV effect correlated with the endogenous hA3G level. HIV-1 particles from hA3G(+) cells treated with IMB-26/35 contained a hA3G level higher than that from those without IMB-26/35 treatment and showed decreased infectivity. IMB-26/35 bound directly to the hA3G protein, suppressed Vif/hA3G interaction, and therefore protected hA3G from Vif-mediated degradation. The compounds were safe with an anti-HIV therapeutic index >200 in vitro. LD(50) of IMB-26 in mice was >1000 mg/kg (intraperitoneally). Therefore, IMB-26 and IMB-35 are novel anti-HIV leads working through specific stabilization of hA3G.

Bioactivities of berberine metabolites after transformation through CYP450 isoenzymes.

BACKGROUND: Berberine (BBR) is a drug with multiple effects on cellular energy metabolism. The present study explored answers to the question of which CYP450 (Cytochrome P450) isoenzymes execute the phase-I transformation for BBR, and what are the bioactivities of its metabolites on energy pathways. METHODS: BBR metabolites were detected using LC-MS/MS. Computer-assistant docking technology as well as bioassays with recombinant CYP450s were employed to identify CYP450 isoenzymes responsible for BBR phase-I transformation. Bioactivities of BBR metabolites in liver cells were examined with real time RT-PCR and kinase phosphorylation assay. RESULTS: In rat experiments, 4 major metabolites of BBR, berberrubine (M1), thalifendine (M2), demethyleneberberine (M3) and jatrorrhizine (M4) were identified in rat's livers using LC-MS/MS (liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry). In the cell-free transformation reactions, M2 and M3 were detectable after incubating BBR with rCYP450s or human liver microsomes; however, M1 and M4 were below detective level. CYP2D6 and CYP1A2 played a major role in transforming BBR into M2; CYP2D6, CYP1A2 and CYP3A4 were for M3 production. The hepatocyte culture showed that BBR was active in enhancing the expression of insulin receptor (InsR) and low-density-lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) mRNA, as well as in activating AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK). BBR's metabolites, M1-M4, remained to be active in up-regulating InsR expression with a potency reduced by 50-70%; LDLR mRNA was increased only by M1 or M2 (but not M3 and M4) with an activity level 35% or 26% of that of BBR, respectively. Similarly, AMPK-α phosphorylation was enhanced by M1 and M2 only, with a degree less than that of BBR. CONCLUSIONS: Four major BBR metabolites (M1-M4) were identified after phase-I transformation in rat liver. Cell-free reactions showed that CYP2D6, CYP1A2 and CYP3A4 seemed to be the dominant CYP450 isoenzymes transforming BBR into its metabolites M2 and M3. BBR's metabolites remained to be active on BBR's targets (InsR, LDLR, and AMPK) but with reduced potency.

[Synthesis and antiviral activities of geldanamycin analog TC-GM in vitro].

In order to find antiviral compounds with novel structures, geldanamycin and lamivudine with different antiviral mechanisms were conjunctively synthesized to acquire a new compound TC-GM, and the antiviral activity of TC-GM was measured. The antiviral activity against HIV-1 was examined by p24 antigen ELISA kit. The activity against HBV was examined by dotblot. The activity against HSV and CoxB virus was examined by CPE. TC-GM exhibited broad-spectrum antiviral activities similarly like geldanamycin. TC-GM inhibited the replication of different viruses, including HIV-1, HBV, HSV 1 and 2, CoxB6. TC-GM showed more potent inhibitory activity against HIV-1 and HBV than other detected virus.