Computer-Aided Design, Synthesis, and Antiviral Evaluation of Novel Acrylamides as Potential Inhibitors of E3-E2-E1 Glycoproteins Complex from Chikungunya Virus

• Published in: Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland) Vol. 13; no. 7; p. 141
• Main Authors: Passos, Gabriel Felipe Silva, Gomes, Matheus Gabriel Moura, Aquino, Thiago Mendonça de, Araújo-Júnior, João Xavier de, Souza, Stephannie Janaina Maia de, Cavalcante, João Pedro Monteiro, Santos, Elane Conceição Dos, Bassi, Ênio José, Silva-Júnior, Edeildo Ferreira da
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Switzerland MDPI 30-06-2020; MDPI AG
• Subjects: acrylamides; antiviral; chikungunya virus; E3-E2-E1 glycoproteins complex; molecular docking; virtual screening; E3-E2-E1 glycoproteins complex; molecular docking; chikungunya virus; virtual screening; acrylamides; antiviral
• ISSN: 1424-8247; 1424-8247
• DOI: 10.3390/ph13070141

Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) causes an infectious disease characterized by inflammation and pain of the musculoskeletal tissues accompanied by swelling in the joints and cartilage damage. Currently, there are no licensed vaccines or chemotherapeutic agents to prevent or treat CHIKV infections. In this context, our research aimed to explore the potential
anti-CHIKV activity of acrylamide derivatives.
methods were applied to 132 Michael's acceptors toward the six most important biological targets from CHIKV. Subsequently, the ten most promising acrylamides were selected and synthesized. From the cytotoxicity MTT assay, we verified that LQM330, 334, and 336 demonstrate high cell viability at 40 µM. Moreover, these derivatives exhibited anti-CHIKV activities, highlighting the compound LQM334 which exhibited an inhibition value of 81%. Thus, docking simulations were performed to suggest a potential CHIKV-target for LQM334. It was observed that the LQM334 has a high affinity towards the E3-E2-E1 glycoproteins complex. Moreover, LQM334 reduced the percentage of CHIKV-positive cells from 74.07 to 0.88%, 48h post-treatment on intracellular flow cytometry staining. In conclusion, all virtual simulations corroborated with experimental results, and LQM334 could be used as a promising anti-CHIKV scaffold for designing new drugs in the future.