METHODS: The synthesis involved reacting ethylenediamine and KCl with Zn metal. The complex formed was characterized using a conductometer, UV-Vis spectroscopy, FT-IR spectroscopy, and XRD, while the activity was measured against HeLa cells.
RESULT: The synthesis yielded a 56.12% conversion with a melting point of 198-200 oC and a conductivity value of 2.02 mS/cm. The Zn(en)Cl2 complex showed potential activity against HeLa cells with an IC50 value of 898.35 µg/mL, which was evidenced by changes in the morphological structure of HeLa cells. Its interaction with DNA targets was investigated by employing molecular docking.
CONCLUSION: The observed data indicated that the Zn(en)Cl2 complex bound to DNA at the nitrogenous base Guanine (DG) by coordinate covalent bonds. Interestingly, DG maintained interaction with the complex until the end of the docking simulation. Additionally, molecular dynamics (MD) simulation was conducted, and the results showed that Zn(en)Cl2 remained bound to the DNA binding pocket all through the process.
METHODOLOGY: The research encompassed the selection of proteins from the Protein Data Bank (PDB), followed by structural refinement processes and optimization. Ligands such as Karanjin and standard drugs were retrieved from PubChem, followed by a comprehensive analysis of their ADMET profiling and pharmacokinetic properties. Protein-ligand interactions were evaluated through molecular docking using AutoDockTools 1.5.7, followed by the analysis of structural stability using coarse-grained simulations with CABS Flex 2.0. Molecular dynamics simulations were performed using Desmond 7.2 and the OPLS4 force field to explore how Karanjin interacts with proteins over 100 nanoseconds, focusing on the dynamics and structural stability.
RESULTS: Karanjin, a phytochemical from Pongamia pinnata, shows superior drug candidate potential compared to common medications, offering advantages in efficacy and reduced side effects. It adheres to drug-likeness criteria and exhibits optimal ADMET properties, including moderate solubility, high gastrointestinal absorption and blood-brain barrier penetration. Molecular docking revealed Karanjin's highest binding energy against receptor 3L2M (Pig pancreatic alpha-amylase) at -9.1 kcal/mol, indicating strong efficacy potential. Molecular dynamics simulations confirmed stable ligand-protein complexes with minor fluctuations in RMSD and RMSF, suggesting robust interactions with receptors 3L2M.
CONCLUSION: Karanjin demonstrates potential in pharmaceutical expansion for treating metabolic disorders such as diabetes, as supported by computational analysis. Prospects for Karanjin in pharmaceutical development include structural modifications for enhanced efficacy and safety. Nanoencapsulation may improve bioavailability and targeted delivery to pancreatic cells, while combination therapies could optimize treatment outcomes in diabetes management. Clinical trials and experimental studies are crucial to validate its potential as a novel therapeutic agent.
Materials and Methods: We examined RANKL expression in 39 patients (21 males, 18 females) by immunohistochemistry. Four patients (10%) were presented with tumor recurrence, eight patients (20%) were complicated with lung metastasis, and two patients (5%) were presented with both recurrence and lung metastasis. Positive RANKL expression was assessed according to a scoring system evaluating the percentage of the immunostained epithelial area and the staining intensity. The cumulative score was calculated to determine the final score value. Data were analyzed using PASW version 18.0 and independent t-test between nonrecurrence/recurrence groups, and nonlung metastasis/lung metastasis groups. Significance was set at P < 0.05.
Results: Thirty-two patients (82%) scored 3 in RANKL-staining percentage from whole stromal cell population (>75%), 6 patients scored 2, and 1 patient scored 1. Nine patients (23%) scored 3 in RANKL-staining intensity (most intense), 19 patients (48%) scored 2, and 11 patients (29%) scored 1. Twenty six patients (67%) had strong RANKL expression (total score of 5-6), 12 patients (31%) showed moderate score (3-4) whereas only 1 patient (2%) showed weak RANKL expression. Together, the mean value of RANKL-staining percentage was 2.79, intensity 1.95 and the total score 4.77. The mean RANKL-staining percentage between recurrence and nonrecurrence groups was statistically significant (P = 0.009). There was no significant difference in the mean staining intensity and total score between nonrecurrence and recurrence groups, and staining percentage staining intensity and a total cumulative score of RANKL expression between lung metastasis and nonlung metastasis groups.
Conclusion: RANKL expression is generally high in Stage III GCT and is a reliable prognostic marker in predicting the risk of local recurrence however not in lung metastasis.