Virtual Screening of Curcumin and Its Analogs Against the Spike Surface Glycoprotein of SARS-CoV-2 and SARS-CoV

COVID-19, a new pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2, was first identified in 2019 in Wuhan, China. The novel corona virus SARS-CoV-2 and the 2002 SARS-CoV have 74 % identity and use similar mechanisms to gain entry into the cell. Both the viruses enter the host cell by binding of the viral spike glycoprotein to the host receptor, angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2). Targeting entry of the virus has a better advantage than inhibiting the later stages of the viral life cycle. The crystal structure of the SARS-CoV (6CRV: full length S protein) and SARS-CoV-2 Spike proteins (6M0J: Receptor binding domain, RBD) was used to determine potential small molecule inhibitors. Curcumin, a naturally occurring phytochemical in Curcuma longa, is known to have broad pharmacological properties. In the present study, curcumin and its derivatives were docked, using Autodock 4.2, onto the 6CRV and 6M0J to study their capability to act as inhibitors of the spike protein and thereby, viral entry. The curcumin and its derivatives displayed binding energies, ΔG, ranging from -10.98 to -5.12 kcal/mol (6CRV) and -10.01 to -5.33 kcal/mol (6M0J). The least binding energy was seen in bis-demethoxycurcumin with: ΔG = -10.98 kcal/mol (6CRV) and -10.01 kcal/mol (6M0J). A good binding energy, drug likeness and efficient pharmacokinetic parameters suggest the potential of curcumin and few of its derivatives as SARS-CoV-2 spike protein inhibitors. However, further research is necessary to investigate the ability of these compounds as viral entry inhibitors.<br /

In silico analysis, synthesis and biological evaluation of DHFR inhibitors

Introduction: Malaria is one of the varieties of fatal diseases caused by a protozoan parasite that is now considered to be the greatest global health challenge. A parasite of Plasmodium species triggers it transmitting the disease to humans by the bites of female Anopheles mosquitoes.Aim: To screen out designed molecules by molecular docking analysis and assess their pharmacokinetic properties using SwissADME. To synthesize the designed compounds. To characterize the synthesized compounds by TLC, melting point, IR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, 1H NMR, and 13C NMR. To evaluate the synthesized compounds for antimalarial activity.Materials and methods: In silico analysis was performed with SWISSADME, and molecular docking was performed by AutoDock Vina version 4.2. In vitro antimalarial activity study was performed.Results: In-vitro studies of synthesized molecules showed that compounds C2 (IC50 1.23), C6 (IC50 0.48), C10 (IC50 0.79), and C14 (IC50 0.19) possess good antimalarial activity.Conclusions: 7-chloroquinoline-piperazine derivatives exhibited potential antimalarial compounds for pf-DHFR inhibitors

In silico analysis, synthesis and biological evaluation of DHFR inhibitors

Introduction: Malaria is one of the varieties of fatal diseases caused by a protozoan parasite that is now considered to be the greatest global health challenge. A parasite of Plasmodium species triggers it transmitting the disease to humans by the bites of female Anopheles mosquitoes.Aim: To screen out designed molecules by molecular docking analysis and assess their pharmacokinetic properties using SwissADME. To synthesize the designed compounds. To characterize the synthesized compounds by TLC, melting point, IR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, 1H NMR, and 13C NMR. To evaluate the synthesized compounds for antimalarial activity.Materials and methods: In silico analysis was performed with SWISSADME, and molecular docking was performed by AutoDock Vina version 4.2. In vitro antimalarial activity study was performed.Results: In-vitro studies of synthesized molecules showed that compounds C2 (IC50 1.23), C6 (IC50 0.48), C10 (IC50 0.79), and C14 (IC50 0.19) possess good antimalarial activity.Conclusions: 7-chloroquinoline-piperazine derivatives exhibited potential antimalarial compounds for pf-DHFR inhibitors

A genome-wide search for chromosomal loci linked to mental health wellness in relatives at high risk for bipolar affective disorder among the Old Order Amish

Bipolar affective disorder (BPAD; manic-depressive illness) is characterized by episodes of mania and/or hypomania interspersed with periods of depression. Compelling evidence supports a significant genetic component in the susceptibility to develop BPAD. To date, however, linkage studies have attempted only to identify chromosomal loci that cause or increase the risk of developing BPAD. To determine whether there could be protective alleles that prevent or reduce the risk of developing BPAD, similar to what is observed in other genetic disorders, we used mental health wellness (absence of any psychiatric disorder) as the phenotype in our genome-wide linkage scan of several large multigeneration Old Order Amish pedigrees exhibiting an extremely high incidence of BPAD. We have found strong evidence for a locus on chromosome 4p at D4S2949 (maximum genehunter-plus nonparametric linkage score = 4.05, P = 5.22 × 10(−4); sibpal P(empirical) value <3 × 10(−5)) and suggestive evidence for a locus on chromosome 4q at D4S397 (maximum genehunter-plus nonparametric linkage score = 3.29, P = 2.57 × 10(−3); sibpal P(empirical) value <1 × 10(−3)) that are linked to mental health wellness. These findings are consistent with the hypothesis that certain alleles could prevent or modify the clinical manifestations of BPAD and perhaps other related affective disorders