Dendrimers as potential drug carriers. Part II. Prolonged delivery of ketoprofen by in vitro and in vivo studies.

Ketoprofen, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug with well-known anti-inflammatory, antipyretic and analgesic properties, has low solubility in water and causes local or systemic disturbance in the gastrointestinal tract. In the present study we investigated the potential of polyamidoamine (PAMAM) dendrimers as drug carriers of ketoprofen by in vitro and in vivo studies. The in vitro release of ketoprofen from the drug-dendrimer complex is significantly slower compared to pure ketoprofen. Anti-nociceptive studies using the acetic acid-induced writhing model in mice showed a prolonged pharmacodynamic behavior for the ketoprofen-PAMAM dendrimer complex. Also, the blood level studies were investigated. We concluded that PAMAM dendrimers might be considered as a potential drug carrier of ketoprofen with a sustained release behavior under suitable conditions.

Structural insights into the recognition of phosphorylated FUNDC1 by LC3B in mitophagy

Mitophagy is an essential intracellular process that eliminates dysfunctional mitochondria and maintains cellular homeostasis. Mitophagy is regulated by the post-translational modification of mitophagy receptors. Fun14 domain-containing protein 1 (FUNDC1) was reported to be a new receptor for hypoxia-induced mitophagy in mammalian cells and interact with microtubule-associated protein light chain 3 beta (LC3B) through its LC3 interaction region (LIR). Moreover, the phosphorylation modification of FUNDC1 affects its binding affinity for LC3B and regulates selective mitophagy. However, the structural basis of this regulation mechanism remains unclear. Here, we present the crystal structure of LC3B in complex with a FUNDC1 LIR peptide phosphorylated at Ser17 (pS), demonstrating the key residues of LC3B for the specific recognition of the phosphorylated or dephosphorylated FUNDC1. Intriguingly, the side chain of LC3B Lys49 shifts remarkably and forms a hydrogen bond and electrostatic interaction with the phosphate group of FUNDC1 pS. Alternatively, phosphorylated Tyr18 (pY) and Ser13 (pS) in FUNDC1 significantly obstruct their interaction with the hydrophobic pocket and Arg10 of LC3B, respectively. Structural observations are further validated by mutation and isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) assays. Therefore, our structural and biochemical results reveal a working model for the specific recognition of FUNDC1 by LC3B and imply that the reversible phosphorylation modification of mitophagy receptors may be a switch for selective mitophagy.

Clinical study on Fufang Sishen Decoction in treating arrhythmia after virus myocarditis / 中西医结合学报

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of Fufang Sishen Decoction (FFSSD) on arrhythmia after virus myocarditis. METHODS: One hundred and two cases of arrhythmia after virus myocarditis were randomly divided into two groups. The treatment group was treated with FFSSD, 6 g, b.i.d.; and the control group with propafenone, 150 mg, q 8 h. The therapeutic effects were observed in 4 weeks. RESULTS: The total anti-arrhythmia effects of FFSSD and propafenone were 71.9% and 78.9% respectively (P>0.05). FFSSD took effects relatively slowly with mild and lasting effect. CONCLUSION: The curative effect of FFSSD in treating arrhythmia after virus myocarditis is confirmed. FFSSD has no obvious side effects.

Repurposing low-molecular-weight drugs against the main protease of SARS-CoV-2

The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic caused by infection with the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has affected the global healthcare system. Drug repurposing is a feasible method for emergency treatment. As low-molecular-weight drugs have high potential to completely match interactions with essential SARS-CoV-2 targets, we propose a strategy to identify such drugs using the fragment-based approach. Herein, using ligand- and protein-observed fragment screening approaches, we identified niacin and hit 1 binding to the catalytic pocket of the main protease of the SARS-CoV-2 (Mpro), thereby modestly inhibiting the enzymatic activity of Mpro. Chemical shift perturbations induced by niacin and hit 1 indicate a partial overlap of their binding sites, i.e., the catalytic pocket of Mpro may accommodate derivatives with large molecular sizes. Therefore, we searched for drugs containing niacin or hit 1 pharmacophores and identified carmofur, bendamustine, triclabendazole, and emedastine; these drugs are highly capable of inhibiting protease activity. Our study demonstrates that the fragment-based approach is a feasible strategy for identifying low-molecular-weight drugs against the SARS-CoV-2 and other potential targets lacking specific drugs.