ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Chalcones and dihydrochalcones present potent inhibition of acetylcholinesterase, currently considered the most efficient approach for symptomatic treatment of Alzheimer's disease. OBJECTIVE: The present study aimed to explore the potential benefits of 2',6'-dihydroxy-4'-methoxy dihydrochalcone on the cognitive deficits of animals submitted to the streptozotocin-induced Alzheimer's model, as well as evaluating the possible mechanisms of action. METHODS: Learning and memory functions of different groups of animals were submitted to the streptozotocin-induced Alzheimer's model (STZ 2.5 mg/mL, i.c.v.) and subsequently treated with 2',6'-dihydroxy-4'-methoxy dihydrochalcone (DHMDC) administered at doses of 5, 15, and 30 mg/kg (p.o.), respectively. Rivastigmine (0,6 mg/kg, i.p.) and vehicle were evaluated in aversive memory test (inhibitory avoidance test) and spatial memory test (object recognition test). Molecular docking simulations were performed to predict the binding mode of DHMDC at the peripheral site of AChE, to analyze noncovalent enzyme-ligand interactions. DFT calculations were carried out to study well-known acetylcholinesterase inhibitors and DHMDC. RESULTS: DHMDC markedly increased the learning and memory of mice. STZ caused a significant decline of spatial and aversive memories in mice, attenuated by DHMDC (15 and 30 mg/kg). Furthermore, STZ conspicuously increased lipid peroxidation and compromised the antioxidant levels in mice brains. DHMDC pretreatment significantly increased GSH activity and other oxidative stress markers and decreased TBARS level in the brain of STZ administered mice. AChE activity was significantly decreased by DHMDC in the brain of mice. CONCLUSION: The results together point out that DHMDC may be a useful drug in the management of dementia.
Subject(s)
Alzheimer Disease/drug therapy , Chalcones/pharmacology , Cholinesterase Inhibitors/pharmacology , Cognition Disorders/drug therapy , Neuroprotective Agents/pharmacology , Acetylcholinesterase/metabolism , Alzheimer Disease/chemically induced , Animals , Chalcones/chemistry , Cholinesterase Inhibitors/chemistry , Cognition Disorders/chemically induced , Density Functional Theory , Male , Mice , Molecular Docking Simulation , Neuroprotective Agents/chemistry , Streptozocin , Structure-Activity RelationshipABSTRACT
The synthesis and antioxidant, antinociceptive and antiedematogenic activities of sulfonamides derived from carvacrol-a druglike natural product-are reported. The compounds showed promising antioxidant activity, and sulfonamide derived from morpholine (S1) demonstrated excellent antinociceptive and antiedematogenic activities, with no sedation or motor impairment. The mechanism that underlies the carvacrol and derived sulfonamides' relieving effects on pain has not yet been fully elucidated, however, this study shows that the antinociceptive activity can be partially mediated by the antagonism of glutamatergic signaling. Compound S1 presented promising efficacy and was predicted to have an appropriate medicinal chemistry profile. Thus, derivative S1 is an interesting starting point for the design of new leads for the treatment of pain and associated inflammation and prooxidative conditions.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Bacterial resistance to antibiotics is a growing problem in all countries and has been discussed worldwide. In this sense, the development of new drugs with antibiotic properties is highly desirable in the context of medicinal chemistry. METHODOLOGY: In this paper we investigate the antioxidant and antibacterial potential of sulfonamides derived from carvacrol, a small molecule with drug-like properties. Most sulfonamides had antioxidant and antibacterial potential, especially compound S-6, derived from beta-naphthylamine. RESULTS: To understand the possible mechanisms of action involved in biological activity, the experimental results were compared with molecular docking data. CONCLUSION: This research allows appropriate discussion on the identified structure activity relationships.
Subject(s)
Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacology , Antioxidants/pharmacology , Cymenes/pharmacology , Molybdenum/chemistry , Sulfonamides/pharmacology , Anti-Bacterial Agents/chemical synthesis , Anti-Bacterial Agents/chemistry , Antioxidants/chemical synthesis , Antioxidants/chemistry , Cymenes/chemistry , Dose-Response Relationship, Drug , Escherichia coli/drug effects , Microbial Sensitivity Tests , Models, Molecular , Molecular Structure , Oxidation-Reduction , Staphylococcus aureus/drug effects , Structure-Activity Relationship , Sulfonamides/chemical synthesis , Sulfonamides/chemistryABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: In general, fungal species are characterized by their opportunistic character and can trigger various infections in immunocompromised hosts. The emergence of infections associated with high mortality rates is due to the resistance mechanisms that these species develop. METHODS: This phenomenon of resistance denotes the need for the development of new and effective therapeutic approaches. In this paper, we report the investigation of the antioxidant and antifungal behavior of dimeric naphthoquinones derived from lawsone whose antimicrobial and antioxidant potential has been reported in the literature. RESULTS: Seven fungal strains were tested, and the antioxidant potential was tested using the combination of the methodologies: reducing power, total antioxidant capacity and cyclic voltammetry. Molecular docking studies (PDB ID 5V5Z and 1EA1) were conducted which allowed the derivation of structureactivity relationships (SAR). Compound 1-i, derived from 3-methylfuran-2-carbaldehyde showed the highest antifungal potential with an emphasis on the inhibition of Candida albicans species (MIC = 0.5 µg/mL) and the highest antioxidant potential. CONCLUSION: A combination of molecular modeling data and in vitro assays can help to find new solutions to this major public health problem.