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A series of natural alcohols motif containing novel substituted cinnamates were developed and screened against five bacterial strains namely, Enterococcus faecal (E. faecalis), Escherichia coli (E. coli), Bacillus subtilis (B. subtilis), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa) and Klebsiella pneumonieae (K. pneumonieae). Among all cinnamates, YS17 was identified with 100% bacterial growth inhibition across the panel, except in E. faecalis with MIC values of 0.25 mg/mL against B. subtilis and P. aeruginosa whereas 0.125, 0.5 and 1 mg/mL against E. coli, K. pneumonieae and E. faecalis, respectively. The growth inhibitory property of YS17 was further validated by disk diffusion, synergistic study and in vitro toxicity assays. Interestingly, YS17 exhibits synergistic effect in combination with the standard drug Ampicillin (AMP). The single crystal structure analysis of YS4 and YS6 was also performed which reconfirmed their proposed structures. Molecular docking visualized significant non-covalent interactions between E. coli MetAP and YS17 and the structural and conformational changes were further analysed using MD simulation studies. Overall, the study provided a suitable core for further synthetic alterations for their optimization as an antibacterial agent. Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma

Abstract: This review focuses on recent trends in the binding study of various antimalarial agents with serum albumins in detail. Serum albumin has a significant role in the transport of drugs and endogenous ligands. The nature and magnitude of serum albumin and drug interactions have a tremendous impact on the pharmacological behavior and toxicity of that drug. Binding of drug to serum albumin not only controls its free and active concentration, but also provides a reservoir for a long duration of action. This ultimately affects drug absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion. Such interaction determines the actual drug efficacy as the drug action can be correlated with the amount of unbound drug. With the advancement in spectroscopic techniques and simulation studies, binding studies play an increasingly important role in biophysical and biomedical science, especially in the field of drug delivery and development. This review assesses the insight we have gained so far to improve drug delivery and discovery of antimalarials on the basis of a plethora of drug-serum protein interaction studies done so far.

To combat the emergence of drug resistance against the existing antimalarials, novel side chain containing 7-chloroquinoline-indole-chalcones tethered with a triazole (CQTrICh-analogs 7 (a-s) and 9) were designed and synthesized by reacting substituted 1-phenyl-3-(1-(prop-2-yn-1- yl)-1H-indol-3-yl) prop-2-en-1-one and 1-(prop-2-yn-1-yl)-1H-indole-3-carbaldehyde with 4- azido-7-chloroquinoline, respectively via a ‘click’ reaction. The selected CQTrICh-analogs: 7l and 7r inhibited chloroquine-sensitive (3D7) and resistant (RKL-9) strains of Plasmodium falciparum, with IC50 values of 2.4 µM & 1.8 µM (7l), and 3.5 µM & 2.7 µM (7r), respectively, and showed insignificant hemolysis and cytotoxicity in mammalian cells. Intra-erythrocytic progression studies revealed that the active hybrids: 7l and 7r are effective against the mature stages of the parasite. Given the importance of Calcium-Dependent Protein Kinase 1 (PfCDPK1) in the parasite biology, notably during late schizogony and subsequent invasion of merozoites into host RBCs, we identified this protein as a possible molecular target of these active hybrids. In silico interaction analysis indicated that 7l and 7r stably interact with the catalytically active ATP-binding pocket of PfCDPK1, by the formation of energetically favorable H-bonds. Furthermore, in vitro Microscale Thermophoresis and kinase assays with recombinant PfCDPK1 demonstrated that the active hybrids interact with and inhibit the kinase activity, thus presumably responsible for the parasite growth inhibition. Interestingly, 7l and 7r showed no inhibitory effect on the human kinases, indicating that they are selective for the parasite kinase. Conceivably, we report the antiplasmodial potential of novel kinase targeting bio-conjugates, a step towards developing pan-kinase inhibitors, which is a prerequisite for cross-stage anti-malarial protection.GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT

The resistance of conventional antimalarial drugs against the malarial parasite continues to pose a challenge to control the disease. The indiscriminate exploitation of the available antimalarials has resulted in increasing treatment failures, which urges on the search for novel lead molecules. Artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT) is the current WHO-recommended first-line treatment for the majority of malaria cases. Hybrid molecules offer a newer strategy for the development of next-generation antimalarial drugs. These comprise molecules, each with an individual pharmacological activity, linked together into a single hybrid molecule. This approach has been utilized by several research groups to develop molecules with potent antimalarial activity. In this review, we provide an overview of the pivotal roles of quinoline- and endoperoxide-based hybrids as inhibitors of the life-cycle progression of Plasmodium. Based on the exhaustive literature reports, we have collated the structural and functional analyses of quinoline- and endoperoxide-based hybrid molecules that show potency equal to or greater than those of the individual compounds, offering an effective therapeutics option for clinical use.

In an effort to develop a potent anti-malarial agent against Plasmodium falciparum, a structure-guided virtual screening using an in-house library comprising 652 compounds was performed. By docking studies, we identified two compounds (JMI-105 and JMI-346) which formed significant non-covalent interactions and fit well in the binding pocket of PfFP-2. We affirmed this observation by MD simulation studies. As evident by the biochemical analysis, such as enzyme inhibition assay, Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR), live-cell imaging and hemozoin inhibition, JMI-105 and JMI-346 at 25 µM concentration showed an inhibitory effect on purified PfFP-2. JMI-105 and JMI-346 inhibited the growth of CQS (3D7; IC50 = 8.8 and 13 µM) and CQR (RKL-9; IC50 = 14.3 and 33 µM) strains of P. falciparum. Treatment with compounds resulted in defect in parasite growth and development. No significant hemolysis or cytotoxicity towards human cells was observed suggesting that these molecules are non-toxic. We pursued, structural optimization on JMI-105 and in the process, SAR oriented derivatives (5a-5l) were synthesized and evaluated for growth inhibition potential. JMI-105 significantly decreased parasitemia and prolonged host survival in a murine model with P. berghei ANKA infection. The compounds (JMI-105 and JMI-346) against PfFP-2 have the potential to be used as an anti-malarial agent.

Cyclization of oxime with different aldehydes and ketones under basic condition led to the formation of new dioxazole derivatives and the structure was elucidated by spectral data. The effects of diaoxazoles on the inhibition of growth of Entamoeba histolytica and Giardia intestinalis in vitro have been determined, and selected compounds further investigated for their toxicity. SAR showed that the compounds with 5-nitrothiophene group at the 3-postion of the diaoxazole ring were more active than those with the p-toluene group at the same position. It is interesting to note that the compounds found active against E. histolytica were not found active against G. intestinalis. Toxicity studies showed that the compound 8 and 9 were non-toxic against Vero cell line ATCC CCL-81.

Cyclization of oxime with different aldehydes and ketones under basic condition led to the formation of new dioxazole derivatives and the structure was elucidated by spectral data. The effects of diaoxazoles on the inhibition of growth of Entamoeba histolytica and Giardia intestinalis in vitro have been determined, and selected compounds further investigated for their toxicity. SAR showed that the compounds with 5-nitrothiophene group at the 3-postion of the diaoxazole ring were more active than those with the p-toluene group at the same position. It is interesting to note that the compounds found active against E. histolytica were not found active against G. intestinalis. Toxicity studies showed that the compound 8 and 9 were non-toxic against Vero cell line ATCC CCL-81.