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- Skin aging and wrinkle formation are processes that are largely influenced by the overexpression of enzymes like tyrosinase, elastase, and collagenase. This study aimed to validate the skin anti-aging properties of phytochemicals from Peperomia pellucida (PP) as well as its attendant mechanism of action. Compounds previously characterized from PP were retrieved from the PubChem database and docked to the active sites of tyrosinase, elastase, and collagenase using Schrödinger’s Maestro 11.5 and AutoDock tools to predict compounds with the best inhibitory potential to block these enzymes in preventing skin aging. It was observed that our hit compounds had favorable affinity and displayed key interactions at the active sites of these enzymes similar to those of the standards. With elastase, we observed key interactions with the amino acids in the S1 sub-pocket (especially ALA-181), Zn chelation, and histidine residues, which are key for inhibitory activity and ligand stability. The hit compounds showed H-bonds with the key amino acids of collagenase, including LEU-185 and ALA-186; phlobaphene and patuloside B were found to have better docking scores and inhibition constants (Ki) (−12.36 Kcal/mol, 0.87 nM and −12.06 Kcal/mol, 1.45 nM, respectively) when compared with those of the synthetic reference compound (−12.00 Kcal/mol, 1.67 nM). For tyrosinase, our hit compounds had both better docking scores and Ki values than kojic acid, with patuloside B and procyanidin having the best values of −9.43 Kcal/mol, 121.40 nM and −9.32 Kcal/mol, 193.48 nM, respectively (kojic acid = −8.19 Kcal/mol, 898.03 nM). Based on this study, we propose that acacetin, procyanidin, phlobaphene, patulosides A and B, palmitic acid, and hexahydroxydiphenic acid are responsible for the anti-aging effects of PP on the skin, and that they work synergistically through a multi-target inhibition of these enzymes.
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- The high mutation rate of SARS-CoV-2 genomic RNA has made COVID-19 more difficult to eradicate using currently available interventions. Hence, newer pharmaceutical strategies must be developed, especially those generally complementary and alternative medicines. In the current study, stem bark of Bridelia ferruginea Benth is presented as plausible source of ethno-pharmaceuticals actionable against key SARS-CoV-2 life cycle-dependent enzymes based on in vitro inhibition studies, LC-ESI-MS characterization and molecular docking studies. Bridelia ferruginea stem bark extracted with 1 % HCL-acidified water, water, butanol, chloroform, ethyl-acetate, and petroleum ether and assayed for in vitro inhibition of SARS-COV-2-gp/human ACE2 interaction. The lowest and the highest IC50 value were recorded for ethyl-acetate (3.550 mg/L) and chloroform (413.4 mg/L) extracts respectively. When the ethyl-acetate extract was tested for SARS-COV-2 protease inhibition in vitro, papain-like protease (PL-pro, IC50=1.981 mg/L) presented as the better target in comparison to the main protease (3CL-pro, IC50=10.13 mg/L). LC/MS analysis identified corilagin and Gallocatechin-[4-O-7]-epigallocatechin as the active principles whilst molecular docking revealed the plausible poses of the compounds within the binding pockets of SARS-COV-2-glycoprotien receptor binding pocket, 3CL-pro and PL-pro. Taken together, these findings identified Bridelia ferruginea stem bark as a plausible source of anti-SARS-COV-2 phytochemicals and propose that corilagin may play important role in this activity.
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- Background/ Objectives: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is one of the resistant pathogenic microorganisms that poses a global health threat due to its resistance to β-lactam antibiotics, where the protein penicillin-binding protein 2a (PBP2a) plays a crucial role in its resistance. This study explores the potential of phytochemicals from Uvaria chamae, a plant with known medicinal properties, to serve as dual-site inhibitors of PBP2a, targeting both the active and allosteric sites. Methods: Phytochemicals previously identified in U. chamae were subjected to molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations to evaluate their binding affinities and stability at PBP2a’s active and allosteric sites. The compounds’ pharmacokinetic profiles were predicted in silico using SwissADME tools. Root-mean-square deviation (RMSD), radius of gyration, and binding free energy were analyzed for dynamic stability. Results: Among the evaluated compounds, Uvarinol and Dichamanetin demonstrated high binding affinities compared to the co-crystallized ligand and standard antibiotics like ceftaroline. Uvarinol exhibited the highest binding affinity at both sites, with a docking score of −14.94 kcal/mol and a predicted inhibition constant (Ki) of 0.01 nM. Molecular dynamics simulations further confirmed the robust stability of Uvarinol and Dichamanetin, as indicated by consistently lower RMSD values relative to the co-crystallized ligand. Pharmacokinetic predictions revealed favorable drug-likeness and low toxicity, although Uvarinol showed limited gastrointestinal absorption. Conclusions: Uvarinol and Dichamanetin show promise as dual-site PBP2a inhibitors, offering a novel strategy to combat MRSA resistance. Their structural and pharmacokinetic properties make them viable candidates for further development, though experimental validation and formulation optimization are necessary to overcome bioavailability challenges.
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