Dissolution enhancement of Gefitinib by solid dispersion and complexation with β-cyclodextrins: In vitro testing, cytotoxic activity, and tablet formulation.

Cancer is the leading cause of mortality worldwide. In patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer, epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is often overexpressed. Gefitinib (GEF), an inhibitor of EGFR, is approved for the treatment of patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Bioinformatics-driven discovery of novel EGFR kinase inhibitors as anti-cancer therapeutics: In silico screening and in vitro evaluation.

Epidermal growth factor receptor EGFR inhibitors are widely used as first line therapy for the treatment of non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in patients harboring EGFR mutation. However, the acquisition of a second-site mutation (T790 M) limited the efficacy and developed resistance. Therefore, discovery and development of specific drug target for this mutation is of urgent needs.

Design, synthesis and molecular modeling of isatin-aminobenzoic acid hybrids as antibacterial and antibiofilm agents.

Number of factors, including newly emerging infectious diseases and an increase in multi-drug resistant microbial pathogens with particular relevance for bacteria, make the treatment of infectious diseases in hospital-based healthcare a major challenge in the medical community. 4-Aminobenzoic acid (PABA), has demonstrated a variety of biological actions particularly, antimicrobial activity. In our study we coupled this vitamin-like molecule with different isatin derivatives.

Design and synthesis of multi-functional small-molecule based inhibitors of amyloid-β aggregation: Molecular modeling and in vitro evaluation.

Amyloid-β1-42 (Aβ42) peptide aggregate formation in the brain plays a crucial role in the onset and progression of Alzheimer's disease. According to published research, the Aβ monomer's amino acid residues KLVFF (16-20) self-associate to create antiparallel β-sheet fibrils. Small compounds can prevent self-assembly and destroy Aβ fibrils by attaching to the Aβ16-20 regions of Aβ42.

Combined Modeling Study of the Binding Characteristics of Natural Compounds, Derived from Psoralea Fruits, to β-Amyloid Peptide Monomer.

A dysfunctional protein aggregation in the nervous system can lead to several neurodegenerative disorders that result in intracellular inclusions or extracellular aggregates. An early critical event within the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease is the accumulation of amyloid beta peptide within the brain. Natural compounds isolated from Psoralea Fructus (PF) have significant anti-Alzheimer effects as strong inhibitors of Aβ42 aggregation.

MicroRNA-539-5p-Loaded PLGA Nanoparticles Grafted with iRGD as a Targeting Treatment for Choroidal Neovascularization.

Choroidal neovascularization (CNV) is a major cause of visual impairment that results from excessive growth of blood vessels in the eye's choroid. The limited clinical efficacy of the current therapy for this condition requires the emergence of new treatment modalities such as microRNA (miRNAs). A recent study identified microRNA-539-5p (miR-539) as an angiogenic suppressor in a CNV animal model; however, its therapeutic delivery is limited.

Enhancement of the dissolution and activity of a new antineoplastic agent.

The cell-surface molecule CD44 plays a major role in the regulation of cancer stem cells. The CD44 inhibitor compound '-(1-dimethylaminomethyl-2-oxoindolin-3-ylidene)-2-(benzyloxy)benzohydrazide (OYB), anticancer agent is practically insoluble in water. Hence, the solid dispersion (SD) technique was used for enhancing the dissolution of OYB.

Preparation, characterization, dissolution, and permeation of flibanserin - 2-HP-β-cyclodextrin inclusion complexes.

Flibanserin (FLB), an antiserotonin drug, is used to treat women with hypoactive sexual appetite disorder. FLB shows low bioavailability (~33%) probably due to its low water solubility. The current study investigated the impact of hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (HP-β-CD) and sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) on the dissolution and permeation of FLB.

Design, synthesis and molecular modeling study of substituted indoline-2-ones and spiro[indole-heterocycles] with potential activity against Gram-positive bacteria.

Longstanding and firsthand infectious diseases are challenging community health threats. A new series of isatin derivatives bearing β-hydroxy ketone, chalcone, or spiro-heterocycle moiety, was synthesized in a good yield. Chemical structures of the synthesized compounds were elucidated using spectroscopic techniques and elemental analysis.

Preparation and Characterization of Two Immunogens and Production of Polyclonal Antibody with High Affinity and Specificity for Darunavir.

Darunavir (DRV) is a potent antiviral drug used for treatment of infections with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Effective and safe treatment with DRV requires its therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) in patient's plasma during therapy. To support TDM of DRV, a specific antibody with high affinity is required in order to develop a sensitive immunoassay for the accurate determination of DRV in plasma.

Docking studies and molecular dynamics simulations of the binding characteristics of waldiomycin and its methyl ester analog to Staphylococcus aureus histidine kinase.

Bacterial histidine kinases (HKs) are considered attractive drug targets because of their ability to govern adaptive responses coupled with their ubiquity. There are several classes of HK inhibitors; however, they suffer from drug resistance, poor bioavailability, and a lack of selectivity. The 3D structure of Staphylococcus aureus HK was not isolated in high-resolution coordinates, precluding further disclosure of structure-dependent binding to the specific antibiotics.

Cholesterol-Conjugate as a New Strategy to Improve the Cytotoxic Effect of 5-Fluorouracil on Liver Cancer: Impact of Liposomal Composition.

Purpose: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a common liver malignancy, which has a low survival rate of all cancers. 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) is clinically recognized to treat HCC. However, the success of this therapy is highly limited due to rapid clearance and non- selective distribution.

Target β-catenin/CD44/Nanog axis in colon cancer cells by certain N'-(2-oxoindolin-3-ylidene)-2-(benzyloxy)benzohydrazides.

Cell surface molecule CD44 plays a major role in regulation of cancer stem cells CSCs on both phenotypic and functional level, however chemical inhibition approach of CD44 to targets CSCs is poorly studied. Herein, we report the discovery of certain N'-(2-oxoindolin-3-ylidene)-2-(benzyloxy)benzohydrazides as a novel inhibitor of CD44. Molecular docking study showed interference of the scaffold of these compounds with β-catenin/TCF-4 complex, building a direct relationship between CD44 inhibition and observed well-fitted binding domain.

Pharmacophore elucidation and molecular docking studies on phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors.

cGMP-binding cGMP-specific PDE, PDE5 plays a key role in the hydrolysis of cyclic guanidine monophosphate. Because cGMP mediates vascular functions, a PDE5 inhibitor that elevates cGMP level is an attractive means for vasodilatation and treatment of erectile dysfunction. In this paper we report the elucidation of the common pharmacophore hypothesis of different classes of PDE5 inhibitors.

Novel ethyl 1,5-disubstituted-1H-pyrazole-3-carboxylates as a new class of antimicrobial agents.

A series of pyrazole derivatives 9-22 were designed and synthesized. All the newly synthesized compounds were assayed for their antimicrobial activity against the Grampositive bacteria Staphyllococcus aureus and Bacillius subtilis and the Gram-negative bacteria Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, in addition to the fungi organisms, Candida albicans, C. parapsilosis and C.

Design and synthesis of new cholesterol-conjugated 5-Fluorouracil: a novel potential delivery system for cancer treatment.

Cholesterol-conjugated 5-fluorouracil prodrugs were designed to be carried in vivo via low density lipoproteins (LDL) and subsequently undergo LDL-receptor-mediated internalisation into cancer cells. In vivo anti-cancer evaluation was performed using 5-fluorouracil-cholesterol conjugate in a mouse model. The obtained prodrugs were more potent than 5-fluorouracil control drug at the same 5-fluorouracil content (3 mg·kg-1).

In silico studies of quinoxaline-2-carboxamide 1,4-di-n-oxide derivatives as antimycobacterial agents.

Molecular modelling studies were performed on some previously reported novel quinoxaline-2-carboxamide 1,4-di-N-oxide derivatives (series 1-9). Using the LigandScout program, a pharmacophore model was developed to further optimize the antimycobacterial activity of this series of compounds. Using the Dock6 program, docking studies were performed in order to investigate the mode of binding of these compounds.

Targeting cancer using cholesterol conjugates.

Conjugation of cholesterol moiety to active compounds for either cancer treatment or diagnosis is an attractive approach. Cholesterol derivatives are widely studied as cancer diagnostic agents and as anticancer derivatives either in vitro or in vivo using animal models. In largely growing studies, anticancer agents have been chemically conjugated to cholesterol molecules, to enhance their pharmacokinetic behavior, cellular uptake, target specificity, and safety.

Formulation and evaluation of cholesterol-rich nanoemulsion (LDE) for drug delivery potential of cholesteryl-maleoyl-5-fluorouracil.

It has been reported that cholesterol-rich nanoemulsions (LDE) can bind to low density lipoprotein (LDL) receptors which can concentrate anticancer drugs in the tissues via LDL receptor overexpression and reduced the adverse effects of the treatment. Therefore, in this study, LDE nanoemulsions of cholesteryl-maleoyl-5-fluorouracil (5-FU conjugate) were developed and evaluated in vitro. LDE nanoemulsions were prepared by high-energy emulsification technique.

1-Aryl-3-(1H-imidazol-1-yl)propan-1-ol esters: synthesis, anti-Candida potential and molecular modeling studies.

Background: An increased incidence of fungal infections, both invasive and superficial, has been witnessed over the last two decades. Candida species seem to be the main etiology of nosocomial fungal infections worldwide with Candida albicans, which is commensal in healthy individuals, accounting for the majority of invasive Candida infections with about 30-40% of mortality.

Results: New aromatic and heterocyclic esters 5a-k of 1-aryl-3-(1H-imidazol-1-yl)propan-1-ols 4a-d were successfully synthesized and evaluated for their anti-Candida potential.

Synthesis, antimicrobial evaluation and molecular modelling of novel sulfonamides carrying a biologically active quinazoline nucleus.

A novel series of quinazolines 5-10, triazoloquinazolines 11-17 and triazinoquinazoline 19 bearing a biologically active sulfonamide moiety were synthesized, utilizing methyl 2-isothiocyanato benzoate 2. Some of the newly synthesized compounds revealed promising bacterial growth inhibition, compared with the ampicillin, as the reference drug. A LigandScout approach-generated pharmacophore model for the Staph aureus bacteria growth inhibition was done.

Synthesis and pharmacophore modeling of novel quinazolines bearing a biologically active sulfonamide moiety.

In the present work, interaction of the strategic starting material, methyl 2-isothiocyanatobenzoate (1), with sulfa drugs resulted in the formation of methyl 2-[3-(4-(N-substituted sulfamoyl)phenyl)thioureido] benzoates 2-5, which upon reaction with hydrazine hydrate afforded N-amino derivatives 6-9. Triazoloquinazoline derivatives 10-18 were obtained via reaction of compounds 6-8 with aromatic aldehydes. Also, the reaction of compound 8 with formic acid gave the corresponding triazoloquinazoline derivative 19.

Synthesis and in-silico studies of some diaryltriazole derivatives as potential cyclooxygenase inhibitors.

The synthesis of several 4-phenyl-5-pyridin-4-yl-2,3-dihydro-3H-1,2,4-triazole-3-thiones possessing N-2 Mannich bases or S-alkyl substituents, is reported. Several of them exhibited a low nanomolar COX enzyme inhibition activity. Most of the compounds showed inhibition of edema was similar to that evoked by celocoxib in animal model.

Schiff bases of indoline-2,3-dione (isatin) with potential antiproliferative activity.

Background: Cancer is one of the most dreaded diseases and it is a leading cause of mankind death worldwide. Recent reports documented a remarkable antiproliferative activity of isatin nucleus against various cancer cell lines. The current work describes the antiproliferative activity of Schiff bases of combinatorial mixtures of the isatin derivatives M1-M22 as well as the individual compounds 1-11(A-K) of these combinatorial mixtures.

3,5-disubstituted thiadiazine-2-thiones: new cell-cycle inhibitors.

Two series, a and b, of 3-cyclopentyl or (3-cyclohexyl)-5-substituted-3,4,5,6-tetrahydro-2H-1,3,5-thiadiazine-2-thiones (THTT) 2a-9a and 3b, 4b, 6b-9b, were synthesized to develop new cell cycle inhibitors. Variable and promising in vitro antiproliferative activities were shown with the synthesized THTT derivatives. Compound 5a with a 5-cyclopentyl group on position-3 and a glutamine residue on position-5 of the THTT moiety showed maximum activity (IC(50) = 8.