Letters in Drug Design & Discovery - Volume 20, Issue 7, 2023

Background: Cancer is the world's second-largest cause of death, and is responsible for an estimated 9.6 million mortality cases in 2018. Poly-ADP-ribose polymerases (PARPs) are enzymes and a family of proteins involved in many cellular processes, including DNA repair, gene regulation, chromatin remodeling, and apoptosis. The first characterized and best-known member of the PARP family is poly(ADP-ribose) polymeras Read More

Introduction: The world is currently facing a pandemic initiated by the new coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Viral transcription and replication are the fundamental processes of any virus. They allow the synthesis of genetic material and the consequent multiplication of the virus to infect other cells or organisms. Methods: The most important protein in SARS-CoV-2 is the RNA polymerase Read More

Introduction: A series of hydrophobic phenylacetic acid derivatives introducing an aromatic lipophilic side chain at C-3 amino and an acetyl or isopropionyl at C-4 amino were synthesized and evaluated for their ability to inhibit neuraminidase (NA) of influenza A virus. Methods: All compounds were synthesized in good yields starting from commercially available 2-(4- aminophenyl) acetic acid using a suitable synthet Read More

Background: Immune and inflammatory reactions are important factors leading to secondary spinal cord injury. Aims: This study aimed to investigate the effect of BCG on behavior after acute spinal cord injury in rats and its related mechanisms. Methods: Rats with spinal cord injury were generated according to modified Allen’s method. Rats were divided into the BCG group (rats with spinal cord injury intraperitoneall Read More

Objective: Asiaticoside (AS), an active compound extracted from Centella asiatica, can promote the osteogenic differentiation of human periodontal ligament cells. In this study, we investigated the impact of AS on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced osteoblast differentiation and inflammatory response in human periodontal ligament stem cells (hPDLSCs) and its possible mechanisms. Methods: hPDLSCs were treated with LPS to Read More

Background: Cerebral stroke is one of the leading causes of death and disability in a large number of patients globally. Brain damage in ischemic stroke is led by a complex cascade of events. The Rho-associated kinase-2 (ROCK2) has a significant role in cerebral vasospasm, vascular remodeling, and inflammation. It is activated in cerebral ischemia and its inhibition leads to a neuroprotective effect. Objective: The pres Read More

Background: Cancer is a serious threaten to human life, and drug developers are pushing hard to discover potent anticancer agents. Pyrimidine and flavonoids are both attractive entities in medicinal chemistry; it is necessary to get new cancer drugs capitalizing on the two frameworks. Objective: This work includes the synthesis of series chrysin derivatives containing different substituted pyrimidines and an evaluation of Read More

Background: Mutations in Penicillin Binding Protein 2B (PBP2B) lead to resistance against commercial β-lactam antibiotics among some strains of Streptococcus pneumoniae. In this study, the molecular mechanism of resistance and the alternate strategy for controlling the Penicillin Binding Protein 2B (PBP2B) of resistant G54 and the two intermediate-resistant Hungary19A-6 and SP195 strains of Streptococcus pneumoniae Read More

Objective: This study used network pharmacology and molecular docking technology to explore the molecular mechanism of Panax notoginseng in the treatment of disseminated intravascular coagulation. Methods: The main active components and targets of Panax notoginseng were screened by the TCMSP database, and DIC-related targets were obtained from the GeneCards database. PPI network was constructed by String a Read More

Aim: The aim of this study was to carry out synthesis and characterization of nitrogencontaining heterocyclic derivatives of 1,3-thiazolidine-2,4-diones as dual anti-inflammatory and antioxidant agents and their docking studies. Background: Inflammation is a protective mechanism of our body to reduce injury and infection by microorganisms. The COX-2 enzyme is responsible for the production of prostaglandins (PG1), whi Read More

Background: Nitrogen-rich heterocycles have occupied a special place in medicinal chemistry due to their exceptional biological activities. In that, thiazolo azapurines and pyrimido thiazolo azapurines are compounds of interest with their medicinal properties. Objective: The objective is to synthesize novel substituted thiazolo azapurines and pyrimido thiazolo azapurines and evaluate their biological activities. Methods: Herei Read More

Introduction: The current study aimed to construct a circNR4A1 loaded exosome (EXO) nano system for the treatment of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) and elucidate the related regulation mechanism in chemoresistance and tumor biology. Methods: Exosomes were isolated from the HEK293 cells by the ultracentrifugation method. Then, the purified nanoproduction was characterized and identified by transmission Read More

The current study aimed to investigate the protective effect of resveratrol (RSV) on neurovascular units (NVUs) in rats induced by acute cerebral ischemia. RSV could reduce the damage to I/R rats, and the optimal concentration was 40 mg/kg/d. RSV may improve the permeability of the BBB and the destruction of its ultrastructure by upregulating ZO-1, claudin-5, and occludin to reduce the degree of brain edema after IR. Ma Read More

Objective: The present investigation highlights the formulation and evaluation of nanosuspension- loaded transdermal patches of poorly soluble antilipidemic drug (rosuvastatin). Methods: Dissolution characteristics of drug was improved by preparation of nanosuspension employing precipitation–ultrasonication technique using a different blend of water-soluble film forming polymers such as hydroxyl propyl methyl cel Read More

Introduction: Angiogenesis is involved in many physiological and pathological conditions including cancer. A number of TRP channels induce angiogenesis, promote cell proliferation or induce apoptosis in several types of human cancers. Therefore, TRP channels may be considered potential pharmacological targets for therapeutic options of disorders caused by insufficient angiogenesis or aberrant vascularization. Ai Read More

Background: Radix Wikstroemia indica is a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) used as antiinflammatory and anti-tumor drug. However, it has serious hepatotoxicity, "Sweat soaking method" processed could effectively decrease its hepatotoxicity. Objective: The objective of this study is to study the effects of Radix Wikstroemia indica on six kinds of cytochrome P450(CYP450) isozymes of rat liver microsomes before and aft Read More