Virtual screening and molecular dynamic simulations of the antimalarial derivatives of 2-anilino 4-amino substituted quinazolines docked against a Pf-DHODH protein target

Abstract

Background The processes of drug development and validation are too expensive to be subjected to experimental trial and errors. Hence, the use of the insilico approach becomes imperative. To this effect, the drug-likeness and pharmacokinetic properties of the ten (10) previously designed derivatives of 2-anilino 4-amino substituted quinazolines were carried out. Their predicted ligand binding interactions were also carried out by docking them against the Plasmodium falciparum dihydroorotate dehydrogenase (Pf-DHODH) protein target, and the stability of the complex was determined through dynamic simulations. The drug-likeness and pharmacokinetic characteristics were estimated using the online SwissADME software, while the Molegro Virtual Docker (MVD) software was used for molecular docking. And the dynamic simulation was performed for the duration of 100 ns to verify the stability of the docked complex, with the aid of a Schrödinger program, Desmond. Results The designed derivatives were all found to pass the Lipinski test of drug likeness, while the pharmacokinetic studies result that the skin permeability and molar refractivity values of the derivatives are both within the limits. In addition, except for derivative C-01, most of the derivatives have strong gastrointestinal absorptions and lack Pgp substrate. Furthermore, no derivative inhibited CYP1A2, CYP2C9, or CYP2C19. The docking studies show the better binding affinities between the ligands and Pf-DHODH than those between the atovaquone or chloroquine standards. The derivative C-02, {5-((6,7-dimethoxy-4-((3-nitrobenzyl)amino)quinazolin-2-yl)amino)-2-fluorobenzaldehyde} was found to be the most stable derivative, with a re-rank docking score of − 173.528 kcal/mol and interaction energy of − 225.112 kcal/mol. The dynamic simulation analysis shows that the derivative C-02 forms a stable complex with the protein target over the simulation time. Conclusions The ability of these ligands to form hydrogen bonds, as well as various other interactions, was cited as a factor responsible for their better binding affinity. These findings could aid further the development of enhanced antimalarial drugs.

Deciphering Interactions between Potential Inhibitors and the Plasmodium falciparum DHODH Enzyme: A Computational Perspective

“…In this sense, studies that address the structure of this protein have the potential to significantly contribute to the development of new antimalarial drugs. Ibrahim et al 22 evaluated the action of derivatives of 2-anilino 4-amino substituted quinazolines coupled to DHODH using dynamics simulation. In another study, a virtual library of new DHODH inhibitor analogs was generated using QSAR models and PBPK 23 simulations.…”

Synthesis, Characterization, Antibacterial, Antifungal and Anticorrosion Activities of 1,2,4-Triazolo[1,5-a]quinazolinone

“…Molecules 2023, 28, x FOR PEER REVIEW 2 of 23 19], antiviral [20][21][22], antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory [23][24][25][26], antimalarial, and antifungal activities [27][28][29][30]. The drug development process can result in the elimination of many potential candidates due to pharmaco-kinetic issues, leading to a significant investment of time and resources.…”

“…Triazole-fused quinazolinones, which are particularly significant in pharmaceuticals, contain fused quinazolines ( Figure 1 ) [ 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 ]. These compounds possess a range of useful biological properties, including anti-SARS-CoV-2 [ 14 , 15 , 16 ], anticancer [ 17 , 18 , 19 ], antiviral [ 20 , 21 , 22 ], antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory [ 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 ], antimalarial, and antifungal activities [ 27 , 28 , 29 , 30 ]. The drug development process can result in the elimination of many potential candidates due to pharmaco-kinetic issues, leading to a significant investment of time and resources.…”