Sinefungin analogs targeting VP39 methyltransferase as potential anti-monkeypox therapeutics: a multi-step computational approach.

The increasing spread of the Monkeypox virus (MPXV) presents a significant public health challenge, emphasising the urgent requirement for effective treatments. Our study focuses on the VP39 Methyltransferase enzyme of MPXV as a critical target for therapy. By utilising virtual screening, we investigated natural compounds with structural similarities to sinefungin, a broad-acting MTase inhibitor. From an initial set of 177 compounds, we identified three promising compounds-CNP0346326, CNP0343532, and CNP008361, whose binding scores were notably close to that of sinefungin. These candidates bonded strongly to the VP39 enzyme, hinting at a notable potential to impede the virus. Our rigorous computational assays, including re-docking, extended molecular dynamics simulations, and energetics analyses, validate the robustness of these interactions. The data paint a promising picture of these natural compounds as front-runners in the ongoing race to develop MPXV therapeutics and set the stage for subsequent empirical trials to refine these discoveries into actionable medical interventions.

Noncoding RNAs as therapeutic targets in autophagy-related diabetic cardiomyopathy.

Diabetic cardiomyopathy, a multifaceted complication of diabetes mellitus, remains a major challenge in clinical management due to its intricate pathophysiology. Emerging evidence underscores the pivotal role of autophagy dysregulation in the progression of diabetic cardiomyopathy, providing a novel avenue for therapeutic intervention. Noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs), a diverse class of regulatory molecules, have recently emerged as promising candidates for targeted therapeutic strategies. The exploration of various classes of ncRNAs, including microRNAs (miRNAs), long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs), and circular RNAs (circRNAs) reveal their intricate regulatory networks in modulating autophagy and influencing the pathophysiological processes associated with diabetic cardiomyopathy. The nuanced understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying ncRNA-mediated autophagic regulation offers a rationale for the development of precise and effective therapeutic interventions. Harnessing the regulatory potential of ncRNAs presents a promising frontier for the development of targeted and personalized therapeutic strategies, aiming to ameliorate the burden of diabetic cardiomyopathy in affected individuals. As research in this field advances, the identification and validation of specific ncRNA targets hold immense potential for the translation of these findings into clinically viable interventions, ultimately improving outcomes for patients with diabetic cardiomyopathy. This review encapsulates the current understanding of the intricate interplay between autophagy and diabetic cardiomyopathy, with a focus on the potential of ncRNAs as therapeutic targets.

Investigating the bispecific lead compounds against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus SarA and CrtM using machine learning and molecular dynamics approach.

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a notorious pathogen that has emerged as a serious global health concern over the past few decades. Staphylococcal accessory regulator A (SarA) and 4,4'-diapophytoene synthase (CrtM) play a crucial role in biofilm formation and staphyloxanthin biosynthesis. Thus, the present study used a machine learning-based QSAR model to screen 1261 plant-derived natural organic compounds in order to identify a medication candidate with both biofilm and virulence inhibitory potential. Additionally, the in-silico molecular docking analysis has demonstrated significant binding efficacy of the identified hit compound, that is 85137543, with SarA and CrtM when compared to the control compound, hesperidin. Post-MD simulation analysis of the complexes depicted strong binding of 85137543 to both SarA and CrtM. Moreover, 85137543 showed hydrogen bonding with the key residues of both proteins during docking (ALA138 of SarA and ALA134 of CrtM) and post-MD simulation (LYS273 of CrtM and ASN212 of SarA). The RMSD of 85137543 was stable and consistent when bound to both CrtM and SarA with RMSDs of 1.3 and 1 nm, respectively. In addition, principal component analysis and the free energy landscape showed stable complex formation with both proteins. Low binding free energy (ΔGTotal) was observed by 85137543 for SarA (-47.92 kcal/mol) and CrtM (-36.43 kcal/mol), which showed strong binding. Overall, this study identified 85137543 as a potential inhibitor of both SarA and CrtM in MRSA.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.

Potential anti-obesity/inflammatory flavonoid-derived biomolecules against Obesity to prevent WAT differentiation by targeting a DNA-binding protein inhibitor, ID-1.

A concoction of unhealthy eating, inactivity, and the adverse effects of specific drugs brings on obesity. The primary cause of Obesity is the storage of too much energy and triglycerides in adipocytes, particularly white adipose tissue (WAT). In addition to modifying one's lifestyle, anti-obesity medicines are increasingly used as adjuvant therapy. Flavonoids are the major class of compounds having significant biological impacts and health-improving properties. To find novel flavonoid compounds that fight obesity using computational drug design techniques. This work targets 1DI protein to predict new flavonoid compounds that fight obesity. The study uses computational approaches to anticipate potential anti-obesity/inflammatory flavonoid compounds against obesity to prevent WAT differentiation by targeting ID-1, a DNA-binding protein inhibitor. Our study led to the identification of the protein target inhibitor lead CID: 5280443, which was found to be a potent inhibitor of the receptor. According to the findings of this study, this bio-active molecule may be used as a lead for the development of drugs that preferentially fight obesity without interfering with the functions of the human proteasome. The scientific community will benefit from these discoveries, which could aid in the creation of new medications that treat obesity more successfully.

Vanillin-Based Indolin-2-one Derivative Bearing a Pyridyl Moiety as a Promising Anti-Breast Cancer Agent via Anti-Estrogenic Activity.

The structure-based design introduced indoles as an essential motif in designing new selective estrogen receptor modulators employed for treating breast cancer. Therefore, here, a series of synthesized vanillin-substituted indolin-2-ones were screened against the NCI-60 cancer cell panel followed by in vivo, in vitro, and in silico studies. Physicochemical parameters were evaluated with HPLC and SwissADME tools. The compounds demonstrated promising anti-cancer activity for the MCF-7 breast cancer cell line (GI = 6-63%). The compound with the highest activity (6j) was selective for the MCF-7 breast cancer cell line (IC50 = 17.01 µM) with no effect on the MCF-12A normal breast cell line supported by real-time cell analysis. A morphological examination of the used cell lines confirmed a cytostatic effect of compound 6j. It inhibited both in vivo and in vitro estrogenic activity, triggering a 38% reduction in uterine weight induced by estrogen in an immature rat model and hindering 62% of ER-α receptors in in vitro settings. In silico molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulation studies supported the stability of the ER-α and compound 6j protein-ligand complex. Herein, we report that indolin-2-one derivative 6j is a promising lead compound for further pharmaceutical formulations as a potential anti-breast cancer drug.

Determination of Febuxostat in Human Plasma Using RP-LC-UV Method.

A simple and sensitive bioanalytical high-performance liquid chromatographic method with ultraviolet detection was developed and validated for the quantification of febuxostat (FEB) in human plasma. Ketoprofen was used as an internal standard. The analytes were extracted from human plasma samples by precipitation with acetonitrile. The reconstituted samples were chromatographed on C18 Bondapack 10 µm, 250 × 4.6 mm, Waters Column (Ireland) by using a mixture of acetonitrile and 0.5% aqueous phosphoric acid (pH 3) (52 : 48, v/v) as the mobile phase. The chromatographic separation was isocratically performed at room temperature at a flow rate of 1.0 mL/min with UV detection at 315 nm. The method exhibited a linear dynamic range over 0.05-5.00 µg/mL FEB in human plasma. The lower limit of quantification was 0.05 µg/mL. The results of the intra- and interday precision and accuracy studies were within the acceptable limits. The validated method was successfully applied for the determination of FEB in human plasma samples for application in bioequivalence studies.

Spectrophotometric study of etodolac complexes with copper (II) and iron (III).

A rapid, simple, and selective method was developed for the determination of etodolac. The method depends on complexation of etodolac with copper (II) acetate and iron (III) chloride followed by extraction of complexes with dichloromethane and then measuring the extracted complexes spectrophotometrically at 684 and 385 nm in case of Cu (II) or Fe (III), respectively. Different factors affecting the reaction, such as pH, reagent concentration, and time, were studied. By use of Job's method of continuous variation, the molar ratio method, and elemental analysis, the stoichiometry of the reaction was found to be in the ratio of 1:2 and 1:3, metal:drug in the case of Cu (II) and Fe (III), respectively. The method obeys Beer's law in a concentration range of 2.00-9.00 and 0.50-2.00 mg/mL in case of Cu (II) and Fe (III), respectively. The stability of the complexes formed was also studied, and the reaction products were isolated for further investigation. The complexes have apparent molar absorptivities of about 32.14 +/- 0.97 and 168.32 +/- 1.12 for Cu (II) and Fe (III), respectively. The suggested procedures were successfully applied to the analysis of pure etodolac and its pharmaceutical formulations. The validity of the procedures was further ascertained by the method of standard additions, and the results were compared with other reported spectrophotometric methods and showed no significant difference in accuracy and precision.