Displaying all 8 publications

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  1. Bukhari SN, Zhang X, Jantan I, Zhu HL, Amjad MW, Masand VH
    Chem Biol Drug Des, 2015 Jun;85(6):729-42.
    PMID: 25328063 DOI: 10.1111/cbdd.12457
    A novel series of 1,3-diphenyl-2-propen-1-one (chalcone) derivatives was synthesized by a simple, eco-friendly, and efficient Claisen-Schmidt condensation reaction and used as precursors for the synthesis of new pyrazoline derivatives. All the synthesized compounds were screened for anti-inflammatory related activities such as inhibition of phospholipase A(2) (PLA(2)), cyclooxygenases (COX-1 and COX-2), IL-6, and TNF-α. The results of the above studies show that the compounds synthesized are effective inhibitors of above pro-inflammatory enzymes and cytokines. Overall, the results of the studies reveal that the pyrazolines with chlorophenyl substitution (1b-6b) seem to be important for inhibition of enzymes and cytokines. Molecular docking experiments were performed to clarify the molecular aspects of the observed COX-inhibitory activities of the investigated compounds.
  2. Bukhari SN, Jantan I, Masand VH, Mahajan DT, Sher M, Naeem-ul-Hassan M, et al.
    Eur J Med Chem, 2014 Aug 18;83:355-65.
    PMID: 24980117 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2014.06.034
    A series of novel carbonyl compounds was synthesized by a simple, eco-friendly and efficient method. These compounds were screened for anti-oxidant activity, in vitro cytotoxicity and for inhibitory activity for acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase. The effect of these compounds against amyloid β-induced cytotoxicity was also investigated. Among them, compound 14 exhibited strong free radical scavenging activity (18.39 μM) while six compounds (1, 3, 4, 13, 14, and 19) were found to be the most protective against Aβ-induced neuronal cell death in PC12 cells. Compounds 4 and 14, containing N-methyl-4-piperidone linker, showed high acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activity as compared to reference drug donepezil. Molecular docking and QSAR (Quantitative Structure-Activity Relationship) studies were also carried out to determine the structural features that are responsible for the acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase inhibitory activity.
  3. Masand VH, Mahajan DT, Alafeefy AM, Bukhari SN, Elsayed NN
    Eur J Pharm Sci, 2015 Sep 18;77:230-7.
    PMID: 26066412 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejps.2015.06.001
    Multiple separate quantitative structure-activity relationships (QSARs) models were built for the antiproliferative activity of substituted Phenyl 4-(2-Oxoimidazolidin-1-yl)-benzenesulfonates (PIB-SOs). A variety of descriptors were considered for PIB-SOs through QSAR model building. Genetic algorithm (GA), available in QSARINS, was employed to select optimum number and set of descriptors to build the multi-linear regression equations for a dataset of PIB-SOs. The best three parametric models were subjected to thorough internal and external validation along with Y-randomization using QSARINS, according to the OECD principles for QSAR model validation. The models were found to be statistically robust with high external predictivity. The best three parametric model, based on steric, 3D- and finger print descriptors, was found to have R(2)=0.91, R(2)ex=0.89, and CCCex=0.94. The CoMFA model, which is based on a combination of steric and electrostatic effects and graphically inferred using contour plots, gave F=229.34, R(2)CV=0.71 and R(2)=0.94. Steric repulsion, frequency of occurrence of carbon and nitrogen at topological distance of seven, and internal electronic environment of the molecule were found to have correlation with the anti-tumor activity of PIB-SOs.
  4. Yoon YK, Ali MA, Wei AC, Choon TS, Khaw KY, Murugaiyah V, et al.
    Bioorg Chem, 2013 Aug;49:33-9.
    PMID: 23886696 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2013.06.008
    Two series of novel acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) inhibitors containing benzimidazole core structure were synthesized by a four-step reaction pathway starting from 4-fluoro-3-nitrobenzoic acid as the basic compound. The structure of the novel benzimidazoles was characterized and confirmed by the elemental and mass spectral analyses as well as (1)H NMR spectroscopic data. Of the 34 novel synthesized compounds, three benzimidazoles revealed AChE inhibition with IC50<10 μM. The highest inhibitory activity (IC50=5.12 μM for AChE and IC50=8.63 μM for BChE) corresponds to the compound 5IIc (ethyl 1-(3-(1H-imidazol-1-yl)propyl)-2-(4-nitrophenyl)-1H-benzo[d]imidazole-5-carboxylate). The relationship between lipophilicity and the chemical structures as well as their limited structure-activity relationship was discussed.
  5. El-Sayed NN, Alafeefy AM, Bakht MA, Masand VH, Aldalbahi A, Chen N, et al.
    Molecules, 2016 Dec 02;21(12).
    PMID: 27918459
    Some novel hydrazone derivatives 6a-o were synthesized from the key intermediate 4-Chloro-N-(2-hydrazinocarbonyl-phenyl)-benzamide 5 and characterized using IR, ¹H-NMR, 13C-NMR, mass spectroscopy and elemental analysis. The inhibitory potential against two secretory phospholipase A₂ (sPLA₂), three protease enzymes and eleven bacterial strains were evaluated. The results revealed that all compounds showed preferential inhibition towards hGIIA isoform of sPLA₂ rather than DrG-IB with compounds 6l and 6e being the most active. The tested compounds exhibited excellent antiprotease activity against proteinase K and protease from Bacillus sp. with compound 6l being the most active against both enzymes. Furthermore, the maximum zones of inhibition against bacterial growth were exhibited by compounds; 6a, 6m, and 6o against P. aeruginosa; 6a, 6b, 6d, 6f, 6l, 6m, 6n, and 6o against Serratia; 6k against S. mutans; and compounds 6a, 6d, 6e, 6m, and 6n against E. feacalis. The docking simulations of hydrazones 6a-o with GIIA sPLA₂, proteinase K and hydrazones 6a-e with glutamine-fructose-6-phosphate transaminase were performed to obtain information regarding the mechanism of action.
  6. Masand VH, Al-Hussain S, Alzahrani AY, El-Sayed NNE, Yeo CI, Tan YS, et al.
    Expert Opin Drug Discov, 2024;19(1):111-124.
    PMID: 37811790 DOI: 10.1080/17460441.2023.2266990
    BACKGROUND: The process of drug development and discovery is costly and slow. Although an understanding of molecular design principles and biochemical processes has progressed, it is essential to minimize synthesis-testing cycles. An effective approach is to analyze key heteroatoms, including oxygen and nitrogen. Herein, we present an analysis focusing on the utilization of nitrogen atoms in approved drugs.

    RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: The present work examines the frequency, distribution, prevalence, and diversity of nitrogen atoms in a dataset comprising 2,049 small molecules approved by different regulatory agencies (FDA and others). Various types of nitrogen atoms, such as sp3-, sp2-, sp-hybridized, planar, ring, and non-ring are included in this investigation.

    RESULTS: The results unveil both previously reported and newly discovered patterns of nitrogen atom distribution around the center of mass in the majority of drug molecules.

    CONCLUSIONS: This study has highlighted intriguing trends in the role of nitrogen atoms in drug design and development. The majority of drugs contain 1-3 nitrogen atoms within 5Å from the center of mass (COM) of a molecule, with a higher preference for the ring and planar nitrogen atoms. The results offer invaluable guidance for the multiparameter optimization process, thus significantly contributing toward the conversion of lead compounds into potential drug candidates.

  7. Jawarkar RD, Zaki MEA, Al-Hussain SA, Al-Mutairi AA, Samad A, Mukerjee N, et al.
    J Biomol Struct Dyn, 2024 Mar;42(5):2550-2569.
    PMID: 37144753 DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2023.2205948
    Due to the high rates of drug development failure and the massive expenses associated with drug discovery, repurposing existing drugs has become more popular. As a result, we have used QSAR modelling on a large and varied dataset of 657 compounds in an effort to discover both explicit and subtle structural features requisite for ACE2 inhibitory activity, with the goal of identifying novel hit molecules. The QSAR modelling yielded a statistically robust QSAR model with high predictivity (R2tr=0.84, R2ex=0.79), previously undisclosed features, and novel mechanistic interpretations. The developed QSAR model predicted the ACE2 inhibitory activity (PIC50) of 1615 ZINC FDA compounds. This led to the detection of a PIC50 of 8.604 M for the hit molecule (ZINC000027990463). The hit molecule's docking score is -9.67 kcal/mol (RMSD 1.4). The hit molecule revealed 25 interactions with the residue ASP40, which defines the N and C termini of the ectodomain of ACE2. The HIT molecule conducted more than thirty contacts with water molecules and exhibited polar interaction with the ARG522 residue coupled with the second chloride ion, which is 10.4 nm away from the zinc ion. Both molecular docking and QSAR produced comparable findings. Moreover, MD simulation and MMGBSA studies verified docking analysis. The MD simulation showed that the hit molecule-ACE2 receptor complex is stable for 400 ns, suggesting that repurposed hit molecule 3 is a viable ACE2 inhibitor.
  8. Masand VH, Al-Hussain S, Alzahrani AY, Al-Mutairi AA, Sultan Alqahtani A, Samad A, et al.
    Expert Opin Drug Discov, 2024 Aug;19(8):991-1009.
    PMID: 38898679 DOI: 10.1080/17460441.2024.2368743
    BACKGROUND: Despite the progress in comprehending molecular design principles and biochemical processes associated with thrombin inhibition, there is a crucial need to optimize efforts and curtail the recurrence of synthesis-testing cycles. Nitrogen and N-heterocycles are key features of many anti-thrombin drugs. Hence, a pragmatic analysis of nitrogen and N-heterocycles in thrombin inhibitors is important throughout the drug discovery pipeline. In the present work, the authors present an analysis with a specific focus on understanding the occurrence and distribution of nitrogen and selected N-heterocycles in the realm of thrombin inhibitors.

    RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: A dataset comprising 4359 thrombin inhibitors is used to scrutinize various categories of nitrogen atoms such as ring, non-ring, aromatic, and non-aromatic. In addition, selected aromatic and aliphatic N-heterocycles have been analyzed.

    RESULTS: The analysis indicates that ~62% of thrombin inhibitors possess five or fewer nitrogen atoms. Substituted N-heterocycles have a high occurrence, like pyrrolidine (23.24%), pyridine (20.56%), piperidine (16.10%), thiazole (9.61%), imidazole (7.36%), etc. in thrombin inhibitors.

    CONCLUSIONS: The majority of active thrombin inhibitors contain nitrogen atoms close to 5 and a combination of N-heterocycles like pyrrolidine, pyridine, piperidine, etc. This analysis provides crucial insights to optimize the transformation of lead compounds into potential anti-thrombin inhibitors.

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