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Drug repositioning or repurposing, i.e. identifying new indications for existing drugs, has gained increasing attention in the recent years. This approach enables the scientists to discover \"new targets\" for known drugs in a cost and time efficient manner. Glycation, the non-enzymatic reaction of sugars with proteins or nucleic acids to form early glycation (Amadori or fructosamine) products, is a key molecular basis of diabetic complications. Inhibiting the process of non-enzymatic protein glycation is one of the key strategies to prevent glycation-mediated diabetic complications. The present study focuses on the anti-glycation activity of 18 drugs, commonly used for the treatment of gastrointestinal, central nervous system, inflammatory diseases, bacterial infections, and gout. This study was carried out by using two in-vitro protein anti-glycation assay models. Results revealed that nimesulide (3), a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, possesses a good anti-glycation activity in in-vitro BSA-MG and BSA-glucose glycation models with IC50 values of 330.56 ± 2.90, and 145.46 ± 16.35 μM, respectively. Phloroglucinol dihydrate (11), a drug used for the treatment of gastrointestinal diseases, showed a weak activity in BSA-MG glycation model (IC50 = 654.89 ± 2.50 μM), while it showed a good activity in BSA-glucose assay (IC50 = 148.23 ± 0.15 μM). Trimethylphloroglucinol (9), a drug used for the treatment of pain related to functional disorders of the digestive and biliary tracts, also showed a good antiglycation activity in BSA-MG model (IC50 = 321.15 ± 1.26 μM), while it was found to be inactive in in-vitro BSA-glucose assay (IC50 = 12.95% inhibition). These activities of drugs were compared with the anti-glycation activity of the standard, rutin (IC50 = 294.5 ± 1.50 μM in BSA-MG glycation model, and IC50 = 86.94 ± 0.24 μM in BSA- glucose model). Rest of the drugs exhibited a relatively weak antiglycation activity. This study identifies nimesulide (3), and phloroglucinol dihydrate (11) as new inhibitors of in-vitro protein glycation for further investigations as potential anti-diabetic agents.

Withania coagulans (W. coagulans) is well-known in herbal medicinal systems for its high biological potential. Different parts of the plant are used against insomnia, liver complications, asthma, and biliousness, as well as it is reported to be sedative, emetic, diuretic, antidiabetic antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antitumor, hepatoprotective, antihyperglycemic, cardiovascular, immuno-suppressive and central nervous system depressant. Withanolides present in W. coagulans have attracted an immense interest in the scientific field due to their diverse therapeutic applications. The current study deals with chemical and biological evaluation of chloroform, and n-butanol fractions of W. coagulans. The activity-guided fractionation of both extracts via multiple chromatographic steps and structure elucidation of pure isolates using spectroscopies (NMR, mass spectrometry, FTIR and UV-Vis) led to the identification of a new withanolide glycoside, withacogulanoside-B (1) from n-butanol extract and five known withanolides from chloroform extract [withanolid J (2), coagulin E (3), withaperuvin C (4), 27-hydroxywithanolide I (5), and ajugin E (6)]. Among the tested compounds, compound 5 was the most potent α-glucosidase inhibitor with IC50 = 66.7 ± 3.6 µM, followed by compound 4 (IC50: 407 ± 4.5 µM) and compound 2 (IC50: 683 ± 0.94 µM), while no antiglycation activity was observed with the six isolated compounds. Molecular docking was used to predict the binding potential and binding site interactions of these compounds as α-glucosidase inhibitors. Consequently, this study provides basis to discover specific antidiabetic compounds from W. coagulans.

Background Chronic hyperglycemic triggers the non-enzymatic glycation of biomolecules, resulting in the production of advanced glycation endproducts, that lead to several micro- and macrovascular complications. Therefore, the discovery of new, effective, and safe anti-glycation agents is an important need. One of the best choices for the management of diabetes is to use complementary and alternative medicinal therapies. Therefore, the present study was designed to evaluate the anti-glycation activity of ethanolic extract of Illicium verum Hook. f. (Star anise, a frequently used spice and medicinally important herb). Methods The anti-glycation activity of ethanolic extract of Illicium verum Hook. f. was determined by using both in-vitro and in-vivo assays. HSA-fructose glycation model was employed to assess the in-vitro inhibition of protein glycation, additionally cross-linked AGEs (formed by incubating lysozyme with fructose) were assessed by SDS polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Dual inhibitory mechanisms, i.e. , antioxidant and metal chelating activities, were also evaluated by using DPPH, ABTS, and Fe (II)-chelation assays. Acute toxicity of I. verum extract was also performed (by administrating different doses i.e. 2,000, 1,500, 1,000, and 500 mg/kg of body weight). Finally, in-vivo anti-glycation potential was evaluated by 7 weeks of administration of I. verum extract in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Results In HSA-fructose glycation model, extract of I. verum showed a good inhibitory activity with IC 50 value of 0.11±0.001 mg/mL, as compared to the standard inhibitor, rutin (IC 50 = 0.02±0.01 mg/mL). Extract of I. verum showed inhibitory activity in DPPH, and ABTS radical scavenging assays with IC 50 values of 130±1.0, and 57±2.0 μg/mL, respectively, while it was found to be inactive in the Fe +2 -chelation assay. The extract was found to be non-toxic, and reduce the elevated blood glucose, urea, lipid, liver function parameters, and renal AGEs levels in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Conclusions These results suggest that I. verum supplementation might help to reduce the burden of AGEs, and may have potential in preventing diabetes-associated complications.

A series of 4-methoxybenzoylhydrazones 1–30 was synthesized and the structures of the synthetic derivatives elucidated by spectroscopic methods. The compounds showed a varying degree of antiglycation activity, with IC50 values ranging between 216.52 and 748.71 µM, when compared to a rutin standard (IC50 = 294.46 ± 1.50 µM). Compounds 1 (IC50 = 216.52 ± 4.2 µM), 3 (IC50 = 289.58 ± 2.64 µM), 6 (IC50 = 227.75 ± 0.53 µM), 7 (IC50 = 242.53 ± 6.1) and 11 (IC50 = 287.79 ± 1.59) all showed more activity that the standard, and these compounds have the potential to serve as possible leads for drugs to inhibit protein glycation in diabetic patients. A preliminary SAR study was performed.

Lichens are unique individuals which have been widely used in traditional medicines. This study was focused on the bioassayguided phytochemical investigation, and bioactivity evaluation on a lichens species, Parmotrema cooperi. This first bioassaydirected chemical study on P. cooperi has led to the isolation of ethyl heamatomate （1）, atraric acid （2）, ethyl orsellinate （3）, orsellinic acid （4）, lecanoric acid （5）, gyrophoric acid （6）, and licanorin （7）. The structures of 1-7 were mainly elucidated from spectroscopic methods including 1D, and 2D NMR spectroscopy, and mass spectrometry. These compounds were evaluated for their antiglycation, urease, a-chymotrypsin, and β-glucoronidase inhibitory activities. Few of the phenolic compounds showed significant, while most of them showed good inhibition of protein glycation, and urease activities.

The current study focuses on synthesizing and characterizing the Gd and Ni co-doped Ba 1-x Gd x Fe 12-y Ni y O 19 nanoparticles (NPs) via emulsion method. The as-fabricated NPs were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis , Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) analysis, Raman spectroscopy, Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) analysis. The synthesis of single-phase Ba-hexaferrites with hexagonal geometry was successfully formed, with co-doping of Gd at tetrahedral and Ni at octahedral sites. SEM analysis revealed tubular particles with rounded spherical geometry, with an increased surface area increase in particle size from 25 to 35 nm upon doping. The magnetic investigation showed increased magnetization (45.7–70.2 emu/g) with co-doping. The doped materials showed excellent photocatalytic activities, degrading almost 90.2% of methyl green (MG) dye in 60 min of sunlight illumination in comparison with 32.26% of their counterpart. The reusability test showed excellent stability and recoverability, with only 1% loss in degradation activity after 5 runs. The results suggest that Gd- and Ni-doped Ba 1-x Gd x Fe 12-y Ni y O 19 NPs have superior photocatalytic activities, more magnetization, an exposed surface area, and excellent reusability, making them suitable for potential applications. Graphical abstract

Using structure-based virtual screening approach, a coumarin derivative ( 1 ) was identified as β-glucuronidase inhibitor. A focused library of coumarin derivatives was synthesized by eco-benign version of chemical reaction, and all synthetic compounds were characterized by using spectroscopy. These compounds were found to be inhibitor of β-glucuronidase with IC 50 values in a micromolar range. All synthetic compounds exhibited interesting inhibitory activity against β-glucuronidase, however, their potency varied substantially from IC 50  = 9.9–352.6 µM. Of twenty-one compounds, four exhibited a better inhibitory profile than the initial hit 1. Interestingly, compounds 1e , 1k , 1n and 1p exhibited more potency than the standard inhibitor with IC 50 values 34.2, 21.4, 11.7, and 9.9 µM, respectively. We further studied their dose responses and also checked our results by using detergent Triton ×-100. We found that our results are true and not affected by detergent.

Background Cohen Syndrome (COH1) is a rare autosomal recessive disorder, principally identified by ocular, neural and muscular deficits. We identified three large consanguineous Pakistani families with intellectual disability and in some cases with autistic traits. Methods Clinical assessments were performed in order to allow comparison of clinical features with other VPS13B mutations. Homozygosity mapping followed by whole exome sequencing and Sanger sequencing strategies were used to identify disease-related mutations. Results We identified two novel homozygous deletion mutations in VPS13B , firstly a 1 bp deletion, NM_017890.4:c.6879delT; p.Phe2293Leufs*24, and secondly a deletion of exons 37-40, which co-segregate with affected status. In addition to COH1-related traits, autistic features were reported in a number of family members, contrasting with the “friendly” demeanour often associated with COH1. The c.6879delT mutation is present in two families from different regions of the country, but both from the Baloch sub-ethnic group, and with a shared haplotype, indicating a founder effect among the Baloch population. Conclusion We suspect that the c.6879delT mutation may be a common cause of COH1 and similar phenotypes among the Baloch population. Additionally, most of the individuals with the c.6879delT mutation in these two families also present with autistic like traits, and suggests that this variant may lead to a distinct autistic-like COH1 subgroup.

Using structure-based virtual screening approach, a coumarin derivative (1) was identified as [beta]-glucuronidase inhibitor. A focused library of coumarin derivatives was synthesized by eco-benign version of chemical reaction, and all synthetic compounds were characterized by using spectroscopy. These compounds were found to be inhibitor of [beta]-glucuronidase with IC^sub 50^ values in a micromolar range. All synthetic compounds exhibited interesting inhibitory activity against [beta]-glucuronidase, however, their potency varied substantially from IC^sub 50^ = 9.9-352.6 µM. Of twenty-one compounds, four exhibited a better inhibitory profile than the initial hit 1. Interestingly, compounds 1e, 1k, 1n and 1p exhibited more potency than the standard inhibitor with IC^sub 50^ values 34.2, 21.4, 11.7, and 9.9 µM, respectively. We further studied their dose responses and also checked our results by using detergent Triton ×-100. We found that our results are true and not affected by detergent.[PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]