Searching for New Leads To Treat Epilepsy: Target-Based Virtual Screening for the Discovery of Anticonvulsant Agents

J Chem Inf Model. 2018 Jul 23;58(7):1331-1342. doi: 10.1021/acs.jcim.7b00721. Epub 2018 Jun 26.

Abstract

The purpose of this investigation is to contribute to the development of new anticonvulsant drugs to treat patients with refractory epilepsy. We applied a virtual screening protocol that involved the search into molecular databases of new compounds and known drugs to find small molecules that interact with the open conformation of the Nav1.2 pore. As the 3D structure of human Nav1.2 is not available, we first assembled 3D models of the target, in closed and open conformations. After the virtual screening, the resulting candidates were submitted to a second virtual filter, to find compounds with better chances of being effective for the treatment of P-glycoprotein (P-gp) mediated resistant epilepsy. Again, we built a model of the 3D structure of human P-gp, and we validated the docking methodology selected to propose the best candidates, which were experimentally tested on Nav1.2 channels by patch clamp techniques and in vivo by the maximal electroshock seizure (MES) test. Patch clamp studies allowed us to corroborate that our candidates, drugs used for the treatment of other pathologies like Ciprofloxacin, Losartan, and Valsartan, exhibit inhibitory effects on Nav1.2 channel activity. Additionally, a compound synthesized in our lab, N, N'-diphenethylsulfamide, interacts with the target and also triggers significant Na1.2 channel inhibitory action. Finally, in vivo studies confirmed the anticonvulsant action of Valsartan, Ciprofloxacin, and N, N'-diphenethylsulfamide.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Member 1 / chemistry*
  • ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Member 1 / metabolism
  • Animals
  • Anticonvulsants / chemistry*
  • Anticonvulsants / pharmacology
  • Ciprofloxacin / chemistry
  • Ciprofloxacin / pharmacology
  • Databases, Chemical
  • Epilepsy / drug therapy*
  • HEK293 Cells
  • Humans
  • Losartan / chemistry
  • Losartan / pharmacology
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Molecular Conformation
  • Molecular Docking Simulation
  • NAV1.2 Voltage-Gated Sodium Channel / chemistry*
  • NAV1.2 Voltage-Gated Sodium Channel / metabolism
  • Protein Binding
  • Structure-Activity Relationship
  • Sulfonamides / chemistry
  • Sulfonamides / pharmacology
  • Valsartan / chemistry
  • Valsartan / pharmacology
  • Voltage-Gated Sodium Channel Blockers / chemistry*
  • Voltage-Gated Sodium Channel Blockers / pharmacology

Substances

  • ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Member 1
  • Anticonvulsants
  • NAV1.2 Voltage-Gated Sodium Channel
  • Sulfonamides
  • Voltage-Gated Sodium Channel Blockers
  • Ciprofloxacin
  • Valsartan
  • Losartan