Aim: The aim of this study was to design and examine
a novel epidermal
growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitor with apoptotic properties
by utilizing the essential structural characteristics of existing
EGFR inhibitors as a foundation. Method: The study began with the
natural alkaloid theobromine and developed a new semisynthetic derivative
(T-1-PMPA). Computational ADMET assessments were conducted
first to evaluate its anticipated safety and general drug-likeness.
Deep density functional theory (DFT) computations were initially performed
to validate the three-dimensional (3D) structure and reactivity of T-1-PMPA. Molecular docking against the EGFR proteins was
conducted to investigate T-1-PMPA’s binding affinity
and inhibitory potential. Additional molecular dynamics (MD) simulations
over 200 ns along with MM-GPSA, PLIP, and principal component analysis
of trajectories (PCAT) experiments were employed to verify the binding
and inhibitory properties of T-1-PMPA. Afterward, T-1-PMPA was semisynthesized to validate the proposed design
and in silico findings through several in
vitro examinations. Results: DFT studies indicated T-1-PMPA’s reactivity using electrostatic potential,
global reactive indices, and total density of states. Molecular docking,
MD simulations, MM-GPSA, PLIP, and ED suggested the binding and inhibitory
properties of T-1-PMPA against the EGFR protein. The in silico ADMET predicted T-1-PMPA’s
safety and general drug-likeness. In vitro experiments
demonstrated that T-1-PMPA effectively inhibited EGFRWT and EGFR790m, with IC50 values of
86 and 561 nM, respectively, compared to Erlotinib (31 and 456 nM). T-1-PMPA also showed significant suppression of the proliferation
of HepG2 and MCF7 malignant cell lines, with IC50 values
of 3.51 and 4.13 μM, respectively. The selectivity indices against
the two cancer cell lines indicated the overall safety of T-1-PMPA. Flow cytometry confirmed the apoptotic effects of T-1-PMPA by increasing the total percentage of apoptosis to 42% compared
to 31, and 3% in Erlotinib-treated and control cells, respectively.
The qRT-PCR analysis further supported the apoptotic effects by revealing
significant increases in the levels of Casp3 and Casp9. Additionally, T-1-PMPA controlled the levels of TNFα and IL2 by 74
and 50%, comparing Erlotinib’s values (84 and 74%), respectively.
Conclusion: In conclusion, our study’s findings suggest the
potential of T-1-PMPA as a promising apoptotic anticancer
lead compound targeting the EGFR.