Theoretical and Experimental Study of Molecular Interactions of Fluralaner with Lipid Membranes.

Fluralaner is a relatively new insecticide belonging to the isoxazoline group, whose action mechanism involves the blocking of GABAA-receptors in the insect nervous system. Because of its high hydrophobicity, fluralaner could bioaccumulate and reach toxic local concentrations. Since there are no data available about the penetration and persistence of isoxazolines in biological membranes, we intend to evaluate fluralaner permanence as a pollutant by using model membranes. We used experimental and in silico models to characterize the incorporation of fluralaner into the lipid phase at different packing states. We determined its impact in the membrane structure and organization. Our results confirm that fluralaner is capable of penetrating, holding, and accumulating in the lipid membrane and provide details on its precise location and orientation. These properties would allow fluralaner to reach high local concentrations in different membranes and organs, which could be dangerous for vertebrate organisms if its handling is not properly controlled.

The insecticide fipronil affects the physical properties of model membranes: A combined experimental and molecular dynamics simulations study in Langmuir monolayers.

Fipronil is a widely used commercial insecticide whose action mechanism consists in blocking the influx of chloride ions through the γ-aminobutyric acid type A receptor (GABAA-R), an integral membrane protein. The present study investigates the interaction of fipronil with phospholipid Langmuir monolayers, in order to characterize the effects that its partition could exert on the physical properties of these model membranes. A combined experimental and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations approach was performed. MD simulations were conducted in such a way that they resemble an experimental compression isotherm of DPPC in the presence of fipronil in the aqueous subphase. Both the experimental and the simulated compression isotherm showed that the partition of fipronil between DPPC molecules induces an expansion of the monolayer. Experimental results also showed that fipronil can penetrate lipid monolayers even in condensed packing states. MD simulations showed that fipronil induces an ordering effect in the acyl chains of DPPC in the liquid-condensed phase. In addition, the simulations indicate that fipronil orients parallel to the plane of the monolayer and that it establishes hydrogen bonds with the glycerol region of DPPC. Free energy profiles of the partition of fipronil into the monolayers, obtained by means of umbrella sampling, indicated that its penetration is thermodynamically favorable, being the interphase between the glycerol region and the acyl chains of DPPC its most favorable location. Our results suggest that fipronil could modulate the supramolecular organization of biological membranes surrounding GABAA-R, contributing, at least in part, to its action mechanism.

Promising Chitosan-Coated Alginate-Tween 80 Nanoparticles as Rifampicin Coadministered Ascorbic Acid Delivery Carrier Against Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

The aim of this study was to design a nanocarrier system for inhalation delivery of rifampicin (RIF) in combination with ascorbic acid (ASC), namely constituted of sodium alginate coated with chitosan and Tween 80 (RIF/ASC NPs) as a platform for the treatment of pulmonary tuberculosis infection. A Box-Behnken experimental design and response surface methodology (RSM) were applied to elucidate and evaluate the effects of several factors on the nanoparticle properties. On the other hand, it was found that RIF/ASC NPs were less cytotoxic than the free RIF, showing a significantly improved activity against nine clinical strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M. tb) in comparison with the free drug. RIF/ASC NPs had an average particle size of 324.0 ± 40.7 nm, a polydispersity index of 0.226 ± 0.030, and a zeta potential of - 28.52 ± 0.47 mV and the surface was hydrophilic. The addition of sucrose (1% w/v) to the nanosuspension resulted in the formation of a solid pellet easily redispersible after lyophilization. RIF/ASC NPs were found to be stable at different physiological pH values. In summary, findings of this work highlight the potential of the RIF/ASC NP-based formulation development herein to deliver RIF in combination with ASC through pulmonary route by exploring a non-invasive route of administration of this antibiotic, increasing the local drug concentrations in lung tissues, the primary infection site, as well as reducing the risk of systemic toxicity and hence improving the patient compliance.

Interaction of gabaergic ketones with model membranes: A molecular dynamics and experimental approach.

γ-Aminobutyric-acid receptor (GABAA-R), a membrane intrinsic protein, is activated by GABA and modulated by a wide variety of recognized drugs. GABAA-R is also target for several insecticides which act by recognition of a non-competitive blocking site. Mentha oil is rich in several ketones with established activity against various insects/pests. Considering that mint ketones are highly lipophilic, their action mechanism could involve, at least in part, a non-specific receptor modulation by interacting with the surrounding lipids. In the present work, we studied in detail the effect on membranes of five cyclic ketones present in mint plants, with demonstrated insecticide and gabaergic activity. Particularly, we have explored their effect on the organization and dynamics of the membrane, by using Molecular Dynamics (MD) Simulation studies in a bilayer model of DPPC. We performed free diffusion MD and obtained spatially resolved free energy profiles of ketones partition into bilayers based on umbrella sampling. The most favored location of ketones in the membrane corresponded to the lower region of the carbonyl groups. Both hydrocarbon chains were slightly affected by the presence of ketones, presenting an ordering effect for the methylene groups closer to the carbonyl. MD simulations results were also contrasted with experimental data from fluorescence anisotropy studies which evaluate changes in membrane fluidity. In agreement, these assays indicated that the presence of ketones between lipid molecules induced an enhancement of the intermolecular interaction, increasing the molecular order throughout the bilayer thickness.

Membrane effects of dihydropyrimidine analogues with larvicidal activity.

Two recently synthesized dihydropyrimidines (DHPMs) analogues have demonstrated larvicide and repellent activity against Anopheles arabiensis. DHPMs high lipophilicity suggests that these compounds may interact directly with the membrane and modify their biophysical properties. The purpose of the present study was to characterize the interaction of both compounds with artificial membranes. Changes on the properties of DPPC films were studied using Langmuir monolayers. The presence of DHPMs in the subphase modified the interfacial characteristics of DPPC compression isotherms, causing the expansion of the monolayer, inducing the disappearance of DPPC phase transition and increasing the molecular packing of the film. Moreover, both compounds showed ability to penetrate into the lipid monolayers at molecular pressures comparable to those in biological membranes. The effects of both DHPMs on the molecular organization of DPPC liposomes were measured by fluorescence anisotropy. The results indicate that their presence between lipid molecules would induce an increasing intermolecular interaction, diminishing the bilayer fluidity mainly at the polar region. Finally, we performed free diffusion MD simulations and obtained spatially resolved free energy profiles of DHPMs partition into a DPPC bilayer through Potential of Mean Force (PMF) calculations. In agreement with the experimental assays, PMF profiles and MD simulations showed that DHPMs are able to partition into DPPC bilayers, penetrating into the membrane and stablishing hydrogen bonds with the carbonyl moiety. Our results suggest that DHPMs bioactivity could involve their interaction with the lipid molecules that modulate the supramolecular organization of the biological membranes and consequently the membrane proteins functionality.

Effects of bioactive monoterpenic ketones on membrane organization. A langmuir film study.

The cyclic ketones, thujone and dihydrocarvone, are lipophilic components of essential oils extracted from different plants, which have proven insecticidal activity. The GABAA receptor is activated by the neurotransmitter GABA and is the action site of widely used neurotoxic pesticides. Many compounds that regulate GABAA receptor function interact with membrane lipids, causing changes in their physical properties and consequently, in the membrane dynamic characteristics that modulate receptor macromolecules. In the present study, the biophysical effects of thujone (a gabaergic reference compound) and dihydrocarvone (structurally very similar) were explored by using monomolecular films of DPPC as a model membrane system, to gain insight into membrane-drug interaction. The compression isotherms showed that both ketones expand the DPPC isotherms and increase membrane elasticity. They penetrate the monolayer but their permanence depends on the possibility of establishing molecular interactions with the film component, favored by defects present in the membrane at the phase transition. Finally, by using Brewster angle microscopy (BAM) as a complementary technique for direct visualization of the study films, we found that incorporating ketone seems to reduce molecular repulsion among phospholipid headgroups. Our results reinforce the notion that changes in membrane mechanics may be occurring in the presence of the assayed ketones, suggesting that their interaction with the receptor's surrounding membrane may modulate or affect its functionality, possibly as part of the mechanism of the bioactivity described for thujone and DHC.

Synthesis, Polymorphism, and Insecticidal Activity of Methyl 4-(4-chlorophenyl)-8-iodo-2-methyl-6-oxo-1,6-dihydro-4H-pyrimido[2,1-b]quinazoline-3-Carboxylate Against Anopheles arabiensis Mosquito.

Mosquitoes are the major vectors of pathogens and parasites including those causing malaria, the most deadly vector-borne disease. The negative environmental effects of most synthetic compounds combined with widespread development of insecticide resistance encourage an interest in finding and developing alternative products against mosquitoes. In this study, pyrimido[2,1-b]quinazoline derivative DHPM3 has been synthesized by three-step chemical reaction and screened for larvicide, adulticide, and repellent properties against Anopheles arabiensis, one of the dominant vectors of malaria in Africa. The title compound emerged as potential larvicide agent for further research and development, because it exerted 100% mortality, while adulticide activity was considered moderate.

Effect of beta-adrenoceptors on the behaviour induced by the neuropeptide glutamic acid isoleucine amide.

Excessive grooming behaviour is induced by intracerebroventricular injections of the neuropeptide glutamic acid isoleucine amide (neuropeptide-EI), via the activation of A-10 dopaminergic neurons and the noradrenergic system. Our object was to study the latter system involved in these behaviours, using male Wistar rats weighing 250-300 g with i.c.v. implants. The results show that all the adrenoceptor antagonists "per se" do not affect excessive grooming behaviour or motor activity. Intracerebroventricular administration of propranolol, a general beta-adrenoceptor antagonist, before neuropeptide-EI, inhibited the induced excessive grooming behaviour in a dose dependent manner. Metoprolol, a beta(1)-adrenoceptor antagonist, also blocked this behaviour. However, intracerebroventricular injections of phentolamine, an alpha-adrenoceptor antagonist, and ((+/-)-1-[2,3-(Dihydro-7-methyl-1H-inden-4-yl)oxy]-3-[(1-methylethyl)amino]-2-butanol), a beta(2)-adrenoceptor antagonist, had no effect on the behaviour induced by neuropeptide-EI induced behaviour for any of the doses tested. On the other hand, isoproterenol, a general beta-adrenoceptor agonist and dobutamine, a beta(1)-adrenoceptor agonist, both elicited similar behaviours as those induced by neuropeptide-EI. These results support the hypothesis that a relationship exists between neuropeptide-EI and beta-adrenoceptors, more specifically the beta(1)-adrenoceptor, as found with other similar endogenous peptides such as neurotensin, cholecystin, substance P and alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone. Hence, neuropeptide-EI could probably be exerting a neuromodulating effect on the central nervous system.