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Abstract: The l,l-Phe-Leu-Cu(II), l,l-Leu-Phe-Cu(II), l,l-Phe-Met-Cu(II), and l,l-Met-Phe-Cu(II) systems were studied using molecular modelling. The results obtained, which are in good agreement with results obtained by potentiometric studies show a significant increase in stability of copper complexes, when an aromatic residue is located in C-terminal (compared to the l,l-dipeptides containing the same amino acid residues), this phenomenon is attributed to the interaction between the d-orbital of copper and the π-electrons of the aromatic ring. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

A novel coronavirus, previously designated 2019-nCoV, was identified as the cause of a cluster of pneumonia cases in Wuhan, a city in the Hubei Province of China, at the end of 2019. Our objective focuses on the in silico study to screen for an alternative drug that can block the activity of the angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), which is a key protein in the physiology of Covid-19, necessary for the entry of the SARS-Cov-2 virus into the host's cells using natural compounds especially phenolic antioxidants, polyphenolics and pharmaceutically phytochemicals derived from the leaves of Corchorus olitorius Linn, appear to be very potential in controlling virus-induced infection. The results of the docking simulation revealed that méthyl-1,4,5-tri-O-caféoyl quinate has a stronger bond, high affinity and gives the best docking scores compared to, the co-crystallized inhibitor (PRD_002214) of the enzyme ACE2, chloroquine, hydroxychloroquine, captopril and simerprevir antiviral drugs. The ADMET properties, Pharmacokinetics and Medicinal Chemistry & P450 site of metabolism prediction, pharmacophore Mapper enzyme revealed that the compound méthyl-1,4,5-tri-O-caféoyl quinate generates a hypothesis which can be applied successfully in biological screening for further experiments. The novel MD computational technique study showed better conformational movements result for the méthyl-1,4,5-tri-O-caféoyl quinate-ACE2 docked complex. Therefore méthyl-1,4,5-tri-O-caféoyl quinate may be considered to be potential inhibitor of the main protease enzyme of virus, but need to be investigated in vivo and in vitro for further drug development process.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is characterized by elevated blood glucose levels and can lead to serious complications such as nephropathy, neuropathy, retinopathy and cardiovascular disease. The aim of this work is to identify and investigate the inhibition mechanism of natural flavonoids and phenolics acids against, the α-amylase (αA) and α-glucosidase (αG). Therefore, we used different approaches; such as conceptual DFT and pharmacophore mapping in addition to molecular mechanics, dynamics and docking simulations. Whereas, a close agreement was found out to decide that Linarin (Flavones) provides more optimized inhibition of αA and αG enzymes. Our results have shown that Linarin could be useful as preventative agent, and possibly therapeutic modality for the treatment of metabolic diseases.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.

The spread of corona-virus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been faster than any other corona-viruses that have succeeded in crossing the animal-human barrier. This disease, caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome corona-virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2/2019-nCoV) posing a serious threat to global public health and local economies. There are three responsible for this disease; SARS-CoV-2, SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV. Whereas our goal is to test the affinity for a new class of compounds obtained from a hybridization of Chloroquine, Amodiaquine and Mefloquine with three targets SARS-CoV-2, SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV, in order to find new compounds as new inhibitors against Covid-19. In this work, we first used: the molecular docking/dynamics methods and ADME properties to study interaction and affinity between eight new compounds against three targets involved in the Covid-19. The results of the docking simulations and dynamics revealed that inhibitor of the malaria (Ligand 87) has an affinity to interact with SARS-CoV-2, SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV targets and they can be good inhibitors for treatment of Covid-19. Moreover, they give best affinity compared to the Remdesivir and Chloroquine and other clinical tests. The Pharmacokinetics was justified by means of lipophilicity and high coefficient of skin permeability. The in silico evaluation of ADME and drug-likeness revealed that L87 has higher absorption in the intestines with good bioavailability. However, an additional in vitro and/or in vivo experimental study should make it possible to verify the theoretical results obtained in silico.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.

The objective of this present study is to focus on the in silico study to screen for an alternative drug that can block the activity of the angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) as a receptor for SARS-CoV-2, potential therapeutic target of the COVID-19 virus using natural compounds (Isothymol, Thymol, Limonene, P-cymene and γ-terpinene) derived from the essential oil of the antiviral and antimicrobial plant Ammoides verticillata (Desf.) Briq. which is located in the occidental Algeria areas. This study reveals that Isothymol, a major component of this plant, gives the best docking scores, compared to, the co-crystallized inhibitor β-D-mannose of the enzyme ACE2, to Captropil drug as good ACE2 inhibitor and to Chloroquine antiviral drug also involved in other mechanisms as inhibition of ACE2 cellular receptor. In silico (ADME), drug-likeness, PASS & P450 site of metabolism prediction, pharmacophore Mapper showed that the compound Isothymol has given a good tests results compared to the β-D-mannose co-crystallized inhibitor, to Captopril and Chloroquine drugs. Also the other natural compounds gave good results. The Molecular Dynamics Simulation study showed good result for the Isotymol- ACE2 docked complex. This study revealed for the first time that Isothymol is a functional inhibitor of angiotensin converting enzyme 2 activity and the components of essential oils Ammoides verticillata can be used as potential inhibitors to the ACE2 receptor of SARS-CoV-2.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.

The aim of the present study focuses on the molecular docking approach to screen alternative drug that can regulate the hyperglycemia by down-regulating α-glucosidase and α-amylase activity using phenolic compounds: tannic acid (L1), catechin (L2), gallic acid (L3), quercetin (L5) and epicatechin (L6). L1 gives the best docking scores, its interaction with α-amylase and α-glucosidase has the lowest energy score compared to the other complexes and to the acarbose (L4). L1 forms strong five H-donor interactions with residues of active site of α-amylase and three H-donor interactions with α-glucosidase. The in silico evaluation of the unfavorable absorption, distribution, metabolism, and elimination (ADME) properties and drug-likeness revealed that L5 has high absorption compared to tannic acid and to the other compounds. This study revealed for the first time that tannic acid is a functional inhibitor of α-glucosidase and α-amylase activities and can be used as alternative for the regulation of post-prandial hyperglycaemia. Communicated by Ramaswamy Sarma.

Background and Purpose: This work deals with several molecular modeling methods used to discover new therapeutic agents for treating the Alzheimer's disease (AD). The cholinergic hypothesis was initially presented over 30 years ago and suggests that a dysfunction of acetylcholine containing neurons in the brain. Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and Butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE) are of the keys targets of drugs for treating AD., Methods: QSAR, Molecular Docking/Dynamics and ADME properties were carried out in order to study 36 compounds that belong to the 4-[(diethylamino)methyl]-phenol derivatives and test their AChE and BuChE inhibitory activities, MOE, HyperChem and others softwares were used to find the best compounds with high affinity., Results: The QSAR models exhibited good statistical values for both targets AChE (R 2 adj  = 0.660, q 2  = 0.70, F-ratio = 18.008) and BuChE (R 2 adj  = 0.726, q 2  = 0.75, F-ratio = 31.864). The interactions between the studied inhibitors and our targets were further explored through molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations. A few key residues (TRP279, TYR334, PHE330 and TRP84) at the binding site of AChE and key residues (HIS438, TYR332, PHE329 and TRP82) at the binding site of BuChE were identified., Conclusion: Based on this study compounds 23 and 28 have no violated Lipinski's rule of five and thus, showing the possibility of being potential candidates for further studies in drug development process against the AChE and BuChE targets respectively., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

We report a case of migration of an intrauterine contraceptive device to the appendix. In this patient with a clinical presentation suggestive of appendicitis, transvaginal ultrasonography visualized a device located outside the uterus, near the small bowel. The device, which was partially embedded in the appendix, was removed via laparoscopy and laparotomy. Appendicular migration of an intrauterine device is exceptional. A literature review spanning the past years only revealed a few reported cases. Most of the authors recommend removal because of the potential for inflammatory reactions that can cause bowel obstruction and perforation.