Preparation, Characterization and In Vitro Stability of a Novel ACE-Inhibitory Peptide from Soybean Protein.

A soy protein isolate was hydrolyzed with Alcalase®, Flavourzyme® and their combination, and the resulting hydrolysates (A, F and A + F) were ultrafiltered and analyzed through SDS-PAGE. Fractions with MW < 1 kDa were investigated for their ACE-inhibitory activity, and the most active one (A < 1 kDa) was purified by semi-preparative RP-HPLC, affording three further subfractions. NMR analysis and Edman degradation of the most active subfraction (A1) enabled the identification of four putative sequences (ALKPDNR, VVPD, NDRP and NDTP), which were prepared by solid-phase synthesis. The comparison of their ACE-inhibitory activities suggested that the novel peptide NDRP might be the main agent responsible for A1 fraction ACE inhibition (ACE inhibition = 87.75 ± 0.61%; IC50 = 148.28 ± 9.83 µg mL−1). NDRP acts as a non-competitive inhibitor and is stable towards gastrointestinal simulated digestion. The Multiple Reaction Monitoring (MRM) analysis confirmed the presence of NDRP in A < 1 kDa.

Fundamentals of Enzyme Kinetics: Michaelis-Menten and Non-Michaelis-Type (Atypical) Enzyme Kinetics.

This chapter will provide a general introduction to the kinetics of enzyme-catalyzed reactions, including a general discussion of catalysts, reaction rates, and binding constants. This section will be followed by a discussion of various types of enzyme kinetics observed in drug metabolism reactions. A large number of enzymatic reactions can be adequately described by Michaelis-Menten kinetics. The Michaelis-Menten equation represents a rectangular hyperbola, with a y-asymptote at the Vmax value. However, in other cases, more complex kinetic models are required to explain the observed data. Atypical kinetic profiles are believed to arise from the simultaneous binding of multiple molecules within the active site of the enzyme (Tracy and Hummel, Drug Metab Rev 36:231-242, 2004). Several cytochromes P450 (CYPs) have large active sites that enable binding of multiple molecules (Yano et al., J Biol Chem 279:38091-38094, 2004; Wester et al., J Biol Chem 279:35630-35637, 2004). Thus, atypical kinetics are not uncommon in in vitro drug metabolism studies.

Lipase from Rhizopus oryzae R1: in-depth characterization, immobilization, and evaluation in biodiesel production.

BACKGROUND: Rhizopus species is among the most well-known lipase producers, and its enzyme is suitable for use in many industrial applications. Our research focuses on the production of lipase utilizing waste besides evaluating its applications. RESULTS: An extracellular lipase was partially purified from the culture broth of Rhizopus oryzae R1 isolate to apparent homogeneity using ammonium sulfate precipitation followed by desalting via dialysis. The partially purified enzyme was non-specific lipase and the utmost activity was recorded at pH 6, 40 °C with high stability for 30 min. The constants Km and Vmax, calculated from the Lineweaver-Burk plot, are 0.3 mg/mL and 208.3 U/mL, respectively. Monovalent metal ions such as Na+ (1 and 5 mM) and K+ (5 mM) were promoters of the lipase to enhance its activity with 110, 105.5, and 106.5%, respectively. Chitosan was used as a perfect support for immobilization via both adsorption and cross-linking in which the latter method attained immobilization efficiency of 99.1% and reusability of 12 cycles. The partially purified enzyme proved its ability in forming methyl oleate (biodiesel) through the esterification of oleic acid and transesterification of olive oil. CONCLUSION: The partially purified and immobilized lipase from Rhizopus oryzae R1 approved excellent efficiency, reusability, and a remarkable role in detergents and biodiesel production.

Synthesis and DNase I inhibitory properties of new benzocyclobutane-2,5-diones.

Aim: Eight new benzocyclobutane-2,5-diones (1a-1h) were synthesized, and their inhibitory properties against bovine pancreatic DNase I were examined in vitro. Methods & results: Compounds 1a-1h were synthesized using photocycloaddition of duroquinone with various phenyl-substituted ethylenes in the presence of 18W compact fluorescent lamp (visible light). Two compounds, 1,3,4,6-tetramethyl-7-phenylbicyclo[4.2.0]oct-3-ene-2,5-dione (1a) and 1,3,4,6-tetramethyl-7-p-tolylbicyclo[4.2.0]oct-3-ene-2,5-dione (1b) inhibited DNase I in a noncompetitive manner with IC50 values below 150 µM and showed to be more potent DNase I inhibitors than crystal violet, used as a positive control. In order to analyze potential binding sites for the studied compounds with DNase I, molecular docking study was performed. Conclusion: The studied benzocyclobutane-2,5-diones offer a good starting point for a design of new DNase I inhibitors.

Purification, Characterization and Evaluation of Inhibitory Mechanism of ACE Inhibitory Peptides from Pearl Oyster (Pinctada fucata martensii) Meat Protein Hydrolysate.

Angiotensin-I-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory peptides derived from natural products have shown a blood pressure lowering effect with no side effects. In this study, two novel ACE inhibitory peptides (His-Leu-His-Thr, HLHT and Gly-Trp-Ala, GWA) were purified from pearl oyster (Pinctada fucata martensii) meat protein hydrolysate with alkaline protease by ultrafiltration, polyethylene glycol methyl ether modified immobilized metal ion affinity medium, and reverse-phase high performance liquid chromatography. Both peptides exhibited high ACE inhibitory activity with IC50 values of 458.06 ± 3.24 µM and 109.25 ± 1.45 µM, respectively. Based on the results of a Lineweaver-Burk plot, HLHT and GWA were found to be non-competitive inhibitor and competitive inhibitor respectively, which were confirmed by molecular docking. Furthermore, the pearl oyster meat protein hydrolysate exhibited an effective antihypertensive effect on SD rats. These results conclude that pearl oyster meat protein is a potential resource of ACE inhibitory peptides and the purified peptides, HLHT and GWA, can be exploited as functional food ingredients against hypertension.

Design, synthesis and bioevaluation of 3-oxo-6-aryl-2,3-dihydropyridazine-4-carbohydrazide derivatives as novel xanthine oxidase inhibitors.

In view of expanding the structure activity relationship of xanthine oxidase inhibitors, a series of 3-oxo-6-aryl-2,3-dihydropyridazine-4-carbohydrazide/carboxylic acid derivatives were designed by molecular docking and synthesized. All the target compounds were evaluated for their in vitro XO inhibition by using febuxostat and allopurinol as the standard controls. Most of the hydrazide derivatives exhibited potency levels in the micromolar range. From the view of docking study, hydrazide derivatives bind to the active site of XO through a novel interaction mode, which is different from that of febuxostat bearing a carboxyl group. The most promising compound 8b was further subjected to kinetic analysis to deduce their modes of inhibition.

Symmetrical Heterocyclic Cage Skeleton: Synthesis, Urease Inhibition Activity, Kinetic Mechanistic Insight, and Molecular Docking Analyses.

The present study focuses on the design and synthesis of a cage-like organic skeleton containing two triazole rings jointed via imine linkage. These molecules can act as urease inhibitors. The in-vitro urease inhibition screening results showed that the combination of the two triazole skeleton in the cage-like morphology exhibited comparable urease inhibition activity to that of the reference thiourea while the metallic complexation, especially with copper, nickel, and palladium, showed excellent activity results with IC50 values of 0.94 ± 0.13, 3.71 ± 0.61, and 7.64 ± 1.21 (3a⁻c), and 1.20 ± 0.52, 3.93 ± 0.45, and 12.87 ± 2.11 µM (4a⁻c). However, the rest of compounds among the targeted series exhibited a low to moderate enzyme inhibition potential. To better understand the compounds' underlying mechanisms of the inhibitory effect (3a and 4a) and their most active metal complexes (3b and 4b), we performed an enzymatic kinetic analysis using the Lineweaver⁻Burk plot in the presence of different concentrations of inhibitors to represent the non-competitive inhibition nature of the compounds, 3a, 4a, and 4b, while mixed type inhibition was represented by the compound, 3b. Moreover, molecular docking confirmed the binding interactive behavior of 3a within the active site of the target protein.

Stepwise frontal affinity chromatography model for drug and protein interaction.

Frontal affinity chromatography is an efficient technique that combines affinity interaction and high-performance liquid chromatography, and frontal analysis has been used in studying the interaction between drugs and proteins. Based on frontal analysis, stepwise frontal analysis has been established. The present study aimed to use the Lineweaver-Burk plot in stepwise frontal analysis by taking the weighted average of time data. Commercial human serum albumin (HSA) and alpha-1-acid glycoprotein (AGP) columns were used as an affinity column. Warfarin and digitoxin were chosen as model drugs for the HSA column, whereas verapamil and tamsulosin were selected as model drugs for the AGP column. The time data obtained by frontal analysis and stepwise frontal analysis were compared, and the results revealed good correlation (r2 = 0.9946-0.9998). Frontal analysis and stepwise frontal analysis were also used to analyze the equilibrium dissociation constants (Kd) of model drugs on the HSA and AGP columns. The Kd values were compared with literature values, which revealed the same order of magnitude. These results illustrate that conversion of the time data is reasonable and feasible. The Lineweaver-Burk plot can be used in the stepwise frontal analysis model to study the characteristics of the interaction between drugs and proteins. Graphical abstract ᅟ.

Amperometric determination of As(III) and Cd(II) using a platinum electrode modified with acetylcholinesterase, ruthenium(II)-tris(bipyridine) and graphene oxide.

The authors describe an amperometric biosensor for the determination As(III) and Cd(II) based on the inhibition of the enzyme acetylcholineesterase (AChE). A platinum electrode was modified with ruthenium(II)-tris(bipyridyl), graphene oxide and AChE and then showed redox peaks at 0.06 and 0.2 V vs Ag/AgCl in the presence of acetylthiocholine chloride (ATChCl). Amperometry unveiled a steady-state turnover rate with the release of thiocholine. In the presence of arsenic(III) and cadmium(II), AChE showed an inhibitive response at 0.214 and 0.233 V vs Ag/AgCl, respectively. The electrode exhibits a detection limit and linear range of 0.03 µM and 0.05-0.8 µM for As(III) and 0.07 µM and 0.02-0.7 µM for Cd(II), respectively. Type of inhibition and inhibition constants induced by As(III) and Cd(II) on the catalytic sites of AChE were determined from Dixon and Lineweaver-Burk plots. The modified electrode was applied to the determination of As3+ and Cd2+ in river, tap and waste water, and the results proved that the method is sensitive and can be an alternative to chromatographic and spectroscopic techniques. Graphical abstract Schematic presentation of Pt/Ru(II)-tris(bipy)-GO/AChE electrode in absence and presence of metal ions (As3+/Cd2+).

Synthesis, screening and docking of fused pyrano[3,2-d]pyrimidine derivatives as xanthine oxidase inhibitor.

In view of developing effective xanthine oxidase (XO) enzyme inhibitors, a series of 100 pyrano[3,2-d]pyrimidine derivatives was synthesized and evaluated for its in vitro XO enzyme inhibition. Structure activity relationship has also been established. Among all the synthesized compounds, 4d, 8d and 9d were found to be the most potent enzyme inhibitors with IC50 values of 8µM, 8.5µM and 7µM, respectively. Compound 9d was further investigated in enzyme kinetic studies and the Lineweaver-Burk plot revealed that the compound 9d was mixed type inhibitor. Molecular properties of the most potent compounds 4d, 8d and 9d, have also been calculated. Docking study was performed to investigate the recognition pattern between xanthine oxidase and the most potent XO inhibitor, 9d. The study suggests that 9d may block the activity of XO sufficiently enough to prevent the substrate from binding to its active site.

In vitro anti-acetylcholinesterase activity of an aqueous extract of Unicaria tomentosa and in silico study of its active constituents.

Depletion of acetylcholine in the central nervous system (CNS) is responsible for memory loss and cognition deficit. Enzyme acetylcholinesterase (AChE) is responsible for destruction of acetylcholine (Ach) in the brain. Many herbal plant extracts have been investigated for their potential use in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease (AD) by inhibiting AChE and upregulating the levels of Ach. The current study investigated the anti-acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity of an aqueous extract of Unicaria tomentosa bark which has not been reported so far in the literature. The in vitro study of an aqueous extract of U. tomentosa showed maximum inhibition of 76.2±0.002 % at 0.4mg/ml of final concentration with an IC50 = 0.112 mg/ml. The mechanism of inhibition was elucidated by kinetic study which showed mixed type of inhibition, this might be due to the presence of various phytoconstituents such as oxindole alkaloids present in an aqueous extract. Based on molecular structure of phytoconstituents obtained from U. tomentosa known from the relevant literature, in-silico molecular docking study was performed against AChE protein to validate the results.

Antioxidant and α-glucosidase inhibitor activities of natural compounds isolated from Quercus gilva Blume leaves

To isolate and investigate antioxidant and α-glucosidase inhibitor compounds in the leaves of Quercus gilva Blume (Q. gilva). Methods: Dry leaves of Q. gilva were extracted with methanol and the methanolic extract was further separated by silica gel column chromatography using several solvents with increasing polarity. The antioxidant activities of the isolated compounds were evaluated using various in vitro assays: 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging activity, hydrogen peroxide radical scavenging activity, β-carotene bleaching assay, and reducing power assay. The α-glucosidase inhibitory assay was conducted against α-glucosidase from Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Results: Three compounds were isolated and their structures were identified as catechin (1), epicatechin (2), and tiliroside (3) using an instrumental analysis. Compound 2 had higher antioxidant activity with inhibitory concentrations (IC50) of (22.55 ± 2.23) μmol/L than that of quercetin, which was used as the standard, with an IC50 of (28.08 ± 2.39) μmol/L, followed by compound 1 with IC50 of (40.86 ± 3.45) μmol/L. On the other hand, compound 3 had the lowest antioxidant activity with an IC50 of (160.24 ± 8.15) μmol/L. However, compound 3 had the highest α-glucosidase inhibitory activity with an IC50 of (28.36 ± 0.11) μmol/L, followed by compounds 1 and 2 with (168.60 ± 5.15) and (920.60 ± 10.10) μmol/L, respectively. Conclusions: The results obtained for the antioxidant activities and α-glucosidase inhibitory activities in a methanolic extract from the leaves of Q. gilva confirmed the potential of this plant as a source of natural antioxidants and antidiabetic medicine.

Antioxidant and α-glucosidase inhibitor activities of natural compounds isolated from Quercus gilva Blume leaves

Objective: To isolate and investigate antioxidant and α-glucosidase inhibitor compounds in the leaves of Quercus gilva Blume (Q. gilva). Methods: Dry leaves of Q. gilva were extracted with methanol and the methanolic extract was further separated by silica gel column chromatography using several solvents with increasing polarity. The antioxidant activities of the isolated compounds were evaluated using various in vitro assays: 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging activity, hydrogen peroxide radical scavenging activity, β-carotene bleaching assay, and reducing power assay. The α-glucosidase inhibitory assay was conducted against α-glucosidase from Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Results: Three compounds were isolated and their structures were identified as catechin (1), epicatechin (2), and tiliroside (3) using an instrumental analysis. Compound 2 had higher antioxidant activity with inhibitory concentrations (IC

Oleanane triterpenes as protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B) inhibitors from Camellia japonica.

Protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B) plays a key role in metabolic signaling, thereby making it an exciting drug target for type 2 diabetes and obesity. Besides, there is substantial evidence that shows its overexpression is involved in breast cancer, which suggests that selective PTP1B inhibition might be effective in breast cancer treatment. As part of our continuous research on PTP1B inhibitors from medicinal plants, four oleanane-type triterpenes were isolated from an EtOAc-soluble extract of fruit peels of Camellia japonica (Theaceae), together with 6 previously known compounds of this class. Their structures were determined on the basis of spectroscopic data analysis (UV, IR, (1)H and (13)CNMR, HMBC, HSQC, NOESY, and MS). All isolates were evaluated for their inhibitory effects on PTP1B, as well as their cytotoxic effects against human breast cancer cell lines MCF7, MCF7/ADR, and MDA-MB-231. Several compounds with OH-3 or/and COOH-28 functionalities showed strong PTP1B inhibitory activity (IC50 values ranging from 3.77±0.11 to 6.40±0.81 µM) as well as significant cytotoxicity (IC50 values ranging from 0.51±0.05 to 13.55±1.44 µM).

Standardization of α-L-iduronidase enzyme assay with Michaelis-Menten kinetics.

The lack of methodological uniformity in enzyme assays has been a long-standing difficulty, a problem for bench researchers, for the interpretation of clinical diagnostic tests, and an issue for investigational drug review. Illustrative of the problem, α-L-iduronidase enzyme catalytic activity is frequently measured with the substrate 4-methylumbelliferyl-α-L-iduronide (4MU-iduronide); however, final substrate concentrations used in different assays vary greatly, ranging from 25 µM to 1425 µM (Km ≈ 180 µM) making it difficult to compare results between laboratories. In this study, α-L-iduronidase was assayed with 15 different substrate concentrations. The resulting activity levels from the same specimens varied greatly with different substrate concentrations but, as a group, obeyed the expectations of Michaelis-Menten kinetics. Therefore, for the sake of improved comparability, it is proposed that α-L-iduronidase enzyme assays should be conducted either (1) under substrate saturating conditions; or (2) when concentrations are significantly below substrate saturation, with results standardized by arithmetic adjustment that considers Michaelis-Menten kinetics. The approach can be generalized to many other enzyme assays.

The Effect of Indomethacin on Na-K-ATPase and K-pNPPase Activity of Rat Brain

The effect of indomethacin on Na-K-ATPase and K-pNPPase activity was studied with rat brain homogenate. The results were as follows : 1) Indomethacin inhibited both Na-K-ATPase and K-pNPPase in a dose-related pattern. 2) Inhibition mode of indomethacin for K+ in both Na-K-ATPase and K-pNPPase was competitive type. 3) Indomethacin showed stimulative effect at lower sodium concentration below 10mM, and showed inhibitory effect at higher sodium concentration on Na-K-ATPase and K-pNPPase activity, and the inhibitory effect was slightly increased with increasing concentration of sodium. 4) The inhibitory effect of indomethacin on Na-K-ATPase activity was increased with increasing ATP concentration, but was not affected by Mg++ concentration. These results indicate that indomethacin inhibits Na-K-ATPase activity by inhibiting K+- dependent dephosphorylation steps.