MedChemCommPub Date : 2026-03-09DOI: 10.1039/D6MD00030D
Zhikun Yang, Jiajia Han, Yanhong Yang, Xue Yang, Yijing Du, Zimeng Huang, Leyi Ying, Xin Yu, Yi Hua, Qihao Wu, Xiaozhou Mou and Hong Wang
{"title":"Rational discovery of novel phenylindole-bisamide derivatives as potent P-glycoprotein inhibitors for cancer multidrug resistance","authors":"Zhikun Yang, Jiajia Han, Yanhong Yang, Xue Yang, Yijing Du, Zimeng Huang, Leyi Ying, Xin Yu, Yi Hua, Qihao Wu, Xiaozhou Mou and Hong Wang","doi":"10.1039/D6MD00030D","DOIUrl":"10.1039/D6MD00030D","url":null,"abstract":"<p >Overcoming multidrug resistance (MDR) remains a major challenge in cancer chemotherapy, largely mediated by the efflux pump P-glycoprotein (P-gp). To address this, we designed and synthesized a series of novel phenylindole-bisamide derivatives using receptor-based drug design and empirical modifications. The MDR reversal activities of target compounds were systematically evaluated in MCF-7/ADR cells. Among them, compound <strong>l1</strong> exhibited enhanced reversal potency and significantly reduced cytotoxicity compared to the third-generation P-gp inhibitor tariquidar. Furthermore, <strong>l1</strong> demonstrated excellent broad-spectrum chemosensitization effects when used in combination with front-line anticancer drugs. Mechanistic studies (including western blotting, cellular thermal shift assay and Rh123 accumulation assays) demonstrated that <strong>l1</strong> effectively inhibited P-gp efflux function without affecting protein expression. Molecular docking analysis revealed that <strong>l1</strong> binds tightly within the P-gp active pocket through π–π stacking and hydrogen-bond interactions. Importantly, in 3D tumor spheroid assays, the co-administration of <strong>l1</strong> with doxorubicin significantly suppressed spheroid growth. Collectively, these findings identify <strong>l1</strong> as a promising P-gp inhibitor and provide a rational scaffold for further optimization in the development of MDR inhibitors.</p>","PeriodicalId":88,"journal":{"name":"MedChemComm","volume":" 5","pages":" 2455-2472"},"PeriodicalIF":3.597,"publicationDate":"2026-03-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147594429","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
MedChemCommPub Date : 2026-03-05DOI: 10.1039/D5MD01109D
Monica A. Stefaniak, Vijay S. Gondil, Emily P. Gillis, Ansley M. Nemeth, Allen G. Oliver, Roberta J. Melander, Paul M. Dunman and Christian Melander
{"title":"Exploration of a benzothiophene scaffold for use as adjuvants with β-lactam antibiotics against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus","authors":"Monica A. Stefaniak, Vijay S. Gondil, Emily P. Gillis, Ansley M. Nemeth, Allen G. Oliver, Roberta J. Melander, Paul M. Dunman and Christian Melander","doi":"10.1039/D5MD01109D","DOIUrl":"10.1039/D5MD01109D","url":null,"abstract":"<p >Rising antibiotic resistance coupled with diminishing investment in antibiotic development has led to limited treatment options for multi drug-resistant bacterial infections. Penicillin binding protein 2a (PBP2a) is a key determinant of resistance to many β-lactam antibiotics in methicillin-resistant <em>Staphylococcus aureus</em> (MRSA), while over-expression of PBP4 mediates resistance to fifth-generation cephalosporins. We previously identified benzothiophene <strong>NDM-335</strong> as an inhibitor of PBP4 that overcomes PBP4 mediated resistance to ceftobiprole, and have shown that other PBP4 inhibitor scaffolds can be tuned to overcome PBP2a-mediated resistance. Based upon this precedent, we conducted a structure activity relationship (SAR) study on the <strong>NDM-335</strong> scaffold to uncover compounds that overcome PBP2a-mediated oxacillin resistance in MRSA, with the lead compound lowering the minimum inhibitory concentration 32-fold at 5 μM. Further development of this new adjuvant lead could potentially deliver a new combination therapy for treating MRSA infections.</p>","PeriodicalId":88,"journal":{"name":"MedChemComm","volume":" 5","pages":" 2444-2454"},"PeriodicalIF":3.597,"publicationDate":"2026-03-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13015963/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147521976","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
MedChemCommPub Date : 2026-03-05DOI: 10.1039/D5MD01118C
Tingguo Xu, Suyi Dai, Zhouxing Hu, Anqi Ou, Xingdong Wang and Lisheng Wang
{"title":"Design, synthesis, and biological evaluation of X19: a matrine pyrazole derivatives therapeutic candidate","authors":"Tingguo Xu, Suyi Dai, Zhouxing Hu, Anqi Ou, Xingdong Wang and Lisheng Wang","doi":"10.1039/D5MD01118C","DOIUrl":"10.1039/D5MD01118C","url":null,"abstract":"<p >A series of novel matrine-pyrazole derivatives were designed and synthesized through structural modification of the natural alkaloid matrine to enhance its antitumor efficacy. Among these derivatives, compound <strong>X19</strong> was identified as the most potent candidate through comprehensive <em>in vitro</em> screening, demonstrating superior anti-proliferative activity against human hepatocellular carcinoma Huh-7 cells with an IC<small><sub>50</sub></small> value of 5.92 μM. Mechanistic investigations revealed that <strong>X19</strong> suppresses tumor growth through induction of apoptosis, G0/G1 phase cell cycle arrest, and dose-dependent inhibition of the JAK/STAT signaling pathway. In a Huh-7 xenograft mouse model, <strong>X19</strong> exhibited significant antitumor efficacy comparable to sorafenib, achieving a tumor growth inhibition rate of 55.35%. Importantly, histopathological evaluation revealed that <strong>X19</strong> displays an improved safety profile, particularly demonstrating superior renal protection compared to sorafenib-induced nephrotoxicity, while maintaining manageable toxicity in other major organs. These findings establish <strong>X19</strong> as a promising lead compound for hepatocellular carcinoma treatment, representing a significant advancement in the development of matrine-based therapeutics with an optimized therapeutic index.</p>","PeriodicalId":88,"journal":{"name":"MedChemComm","volume":" 4","pages":" 2002-2014"},"PeriodicalIF":3.597,"publicationDate":"2026-03-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147378448","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Discovery of GBA-16-24 as a highly potent, selective ATR inhibitor for the treatment of FLT3-mutated acute myeloid leukemia","authors":"Ping Li, Haiyan Ren, Xinyan Lan, Junfei Li, Zhi Liu, Huashuo Liu, Zhijie Zheng, Tianyan Zeng, Peili Wang, Mingyang Sun, Lei Xu, Yanyan Zhang, Yubo Zhou, Jia Li, Mingliang Wang and Kailong Jiang","doi":"10.1039/D5MD01005E","DOIUrl":"10.1039/D5MD01005E","url":null,"abstract":"<p >Ataxia telangiectasia mutated and RAD3-related (ATR) kinase supports cancer cell survival <em>via</em> managing DNA damage or replication stress in various cancers, including acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Pharmacological inhibition of ATR has emerged as a promising therapeutic strategy through synthetic lethality, particularly in contexts involving specific DNA damage response deficiencies or in combination with other agents. Herein, we report an efficient and selective ATR inhibitor, <strong>GBA-16-24</strong>, which was developed <em>via</em> a ring-opening strategy. Furthermore, we demonstrate its potential as a ligand for prodrugs or PROTACs. Additionally, we identify FLT3 as its potential synthetic lethal target. Compared with FLT3-wild-type acute myeloid leukemia (AML), <strong>GBA-16-24</strong>, along with other tested ATR inhibitors, more effectively inhibits cell proliferation in FLT3-mutated AML. Moreover, <strong>GBA-16-24</strong> potently disrupts the cell cycle and induces apoptosis in MV-4-11 cells. In addition, when combined with clinically approved FLT3 inhibitors, <strong>GBA-16-24</strong> exhibits synergistic anti-AML effects. Therefore, our findings introduce a promising ATR inhibitor and propose the combination of ATR and FLT3 inhibition as a novel synthetic lethal strategy for treating FLT3-mutated AML.</p>","PeriodicalId":88,"journal":{"name":"MedChemComm","volume":" 4","pages":" 2081-2095"},"PeriodicalIF":3.597,"publicationDate":"2026-03-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147481731","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
MedChemCommPub Date : 2026-03-02DOI: 10.1039/D6MD00057F
Yao Zhang, Fule Wu, Muneeb Ur Rehman and Sihui Long
{"title":"Pharmacological landscape of carbolines: a holistic view","authors":"Yao Zhang, Fule Wu, Muneeb Ur Rehman and Sihui Long","doi":"10.1039/D6MD00057F","DOIUrl":"10.1039/D6MD00057F","url":null,"abstract":"<p >Natural resources have served as a cornerstone for the discovery of innovative pharmaceutical compounds for millennia. Among the diverse natural compounds demonstrating significant pharmacological activities, carbolines cannot be overlooked. Carbolines are a class of heterocyclic indole alkaloids that exhibit diverse biological activities, with several compounds approved by the US Food and Drug Administration or currently under preclinical evaluation. Carbolines exist in four distinct isomers including α-, β-, γ-, and δ-carbolines, and each exhibits unique biological properties owing to the variation in the position of the pyridine N within their tricyclic frameworks. Meanwhile, extensive research has been conducted on carbolines over the past two decades, solidifying their role as a vital component in the modern drug discovery landscape. This review comprehensively explores the design, synthesis, and pharmacological activities of carboline isomers reported between 2000 and 2025, with a particular emphasis on their key bioactivities, encompassing anticancer, neuroprotective, antiparasitic, and antimicrobial. Additionally, it delves into the mechanisms of action and structure–activity relationship analysis of many key carboline derivatives, offering an invaluable perspective on this class of heterocyclic compounds. Moreover, it highlights the emerging trends and forward-looking strategies in design of carboline derivatives, aiming to inspire researchers interested in heterocycle-driven drug discovery. Furthermore, by uncovering the critical research gaps and proposing novel approaches such as heterodimerization and dual/multi-targeting strategies, this review underscores the enduring and evolving significance of carbolines in next-generation pharmaceutical development.</p>","PeriodicalId":88,"journal":{"name":"MedChemComm","volume":" 5","pages":" 2197-2269"},"PeriodicalIF":3.597,"publicationDate":"2026-03-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147487113","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
MedChemCommPub Date : 2026-02-27DOI: 10.1039/D5MD01138H
Wenling Fu, Keren Wang, Hongsong Chen, Taoyi Liu, Xiaojuan Liu, Qishun Jin, Zhenghuai Tan, Wu Dong, Wenmin Liu and Zhipei Sang
{"title":"Design, synthesis and biological evaluation of novel 3,4-dihydro-2(1H)-quinoline-O-carbamate derivatives as AChE/MAO-B dual inhibitors for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease","authors":"Wenling Fu, Keren Wang, Hongsong Chen, Taoyi Liu, Xiaojuan Liu, Qishun Jin, Zhenghuai Tan, Wu Dong, Wenmin Liu and Zhipei Sang","doi":"10.1039/D5MD01138H","DOIUrl":"10.1039/D5MD01138H","url":null,"abstract":"<p >Alzheimer's disease (AD) is an irreversible degenerative disorder of the brain, and there is no effective drug for it to date. Given its complex pathogenesis, the multi-target-directed ligand (MTDL) strategy is considered as a promising approach against AD. Herein, a series of 3,4-dihydro-2(1<em>H</em>)-quinoline-<em>O</em>-carbamate derivatives were designed and synthesized based on the MTDL strategy. The <em>in vitro</em> biological results indicated that <strong>3c</strong> was a potent AChE/MAO-B dual inhibitor with an IC<small><sub>50</sub></small> value of 0.81 μM and 0.17 μM, respectively. Molecular modeling and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations offered possible insights into the AChE/MAO-B inhibition of <strong>3c</strong>. Moreover, <strong>3c</strong> showed good stability and BBB permeability, as well as favorable neuroprotective effects. <em>In vivo</em> evaluation exhibited that <strong>3c</strong> impressively improved the AlCl<small><sub>3</sub></small>-induced zebrafish AD model by elevating ACh, decreasing APP and inflammatory factors. Further, <strong>3c</strong> effectively alleviated the scopolamine-induced cognitive impairment model. Therefore, <strong>3c</strong> is a promising AChE/MAO-B dual inhibitor for treating AD.</p>","PeriodicalId":88,"journal":{"name":"MedChemComm","volume":" 4","pages":" 2096-2112"},"PeriodicalIF":3.597,"publicationDate":"2026-02-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147487186","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
MedChemCommPub Date : 2026-02-27DOI: 10.1039/D5MD01174D
Patrícia F. Espuri Sepini, Vanessa Silva Gontijo, Laiane Mota Tavares, Leonardo Maciel Souza, Thalles H. F. Souza, Dyecika S. Couto, Juliana B. Nunes, Catarina Azevedo Ribeiro, Sara M. Mendonça da Silva Cravo, Bruno Zavan, Marina A. Alves, Hygor M. R. Souza, Marisa Ionta, Maria Emília Sousa, Eduardo F. Peloso, Marcos J. Marques and Claudio Viegas Jr.
{"title":"New series of pentamidine-based 1,2,3-triazole-diaryl-hydrazones: design, synthesis, and evaluation of their leishmanicidal activity and mechanism of action against Leishmania (L.) amazonensis","authors":"Patrícia F. Espuri Sepini, Vanessa Silva Gontijo, Laiane Mota Tavares, Leonardo Maciel Souza, Thalles H. F. Souza, Dyecika S. Couto, Juliana B. Nunes, Catarina Azevedo Ribeiro, Sara M. Mendonça da Silva Cravo, Bruno Zavan, Marina A. Alves, Hygor M. R. Souza, Marisa Ionta, Maria Emília Sousa, Eduardo F. Peloso, Marcos J. Marques and Claudio Viegas Jr.","doi":"10.1039/D5MD01174D","DOIUrl":"10.1039/D5MD01174D","url":null,"abstract":"<p >Leishmaniasis is caused by over twenty <em>Leishmania</em> species worldwide. Current chemotherapy is limited to a few approved drugs, with high toxicity and significant side effects, and compromised efficacy due to parasite resistance. pentamidine is an effective drug for leishmaniasis; however, it is highly toxic. In this study, eleven new pentamidine-based 1,2,3-triazole-diaryl-hydrazole analogues <strong>PQM-250</strong> to <strong>PQM-254</strong>, <strong>PQM-256</strong> to <strong>PQM-259</strong>, <strong>PQM-261</strong>, and <strong>PQM-262</strong> were evaluated for their leishmanicidal activity. The most promising compounds were further investigated for their potential mechanisms of action, particularly regarding their effects on bioenergetics and mitochondrial function. Compounds <strong>PQM-250</strong>, <strong>PQM-254</strong>, and <strong>PQM-261</strong> exhibited marked activities against promastigote and amastigote forms of <em>L. amazonensis</em>, with low toxicity to macrophages. When evaluated together, the four compounds displayed distinct mitochondrial and redox responses. pentamidine caused mitochondrial depolarization (10.90%), markedly reduced ATP production (−73%), and decreased H<small><sub>2</sub></small>O<small><sub>2</sub></small> levels (−37.9%), a profile consistent with apoptosis induction. <strong>PQM-254</strong> similarly promoted depolarization (10.44%) but differed by reducing H<small><sub>2</sub></small>O<small><sub>2</sub></small> levels more substantially (−41.7%), while having no stimulatory effect on ATP. In contrast, <strong>PQM-261</strong> induced mitochondrial hyperpolarization (+13.16%) accompanied by a notable increase in ATP production (+32%). Finally, <strong>PQM-250</strong> did not markedly alter membrane potential but produced a moderate elevation in H<small><sub>2</sub></small>O<small><sub>2</sub></small> levels (+18.9%), suggesting a distinct oxidative profile from the other analogues. These findings highlight the leishmanicidal potential of these three analogues, especially <strong>PQM-250</strong>, which targets vital parasite survival mechanisms, while exhibiting lower mammalian toxicity. The study provides valuable insights into the metabolic pathways affected by these compounds, offering a strong foundation for developing safer therapeutic strategies against leishmaniasis.</p>","PeriodicalId":88,"journal":{"name":"MedChemComm","volume":" 4","pages":" 2157-2169"},"PeriodicalIF":3.597,"publicationDate":"2026-02-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147514566","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
MedChemCommPub Date : 2026-02-26DOI: 10.1039/D5MD01142F
Shi-Ying Xu, Quan-Xing Liu, Yan Luo, Wu-He Wu, Qing Li, Shang-Gao Liao, Jun-Li Ao and Guo-Bo Xu
{"title":"A halogenated pregnenolone analogue suppresses HepG2 proliferation and induces apoptosis via PPARγ regulation","authors":"Shi-Ying Xu, Quan-Xing Liu, Yan Luo, Wu-He Wu, Qing Li, Shang-Gao Liao, Jun-Li Ao and Guo-Bo Xu","doi":"10.1039/D5MD01142F","DOIUrl":"10.1039/D5MD01142F","url":null,"abstract":"<p >The broad biological activity of synthetic halogenated steroid derivatives has spurred considerable recent research. In this study, we synthesized and evaluated cytotoxicity against HepG2 cells for twenty-eight halogen-containing pregnenolone derivatives. Compound <strong>20</strong> exhibited the highest cytotoxicity, with an IC<small><sub>50</sub></small> value of 1.490 ± 0.041 μM. It effectively inhibited cell proliferation, clone formation, and migration, as well as induced DNA damage in hepatocellular carcinoma cells. Flow cytometry revealed that compound <strong>20</strong> induced G0/G1 cell cycle arrest. Concurrently, experimental evidence from Hoechst 33258 staining, flow cytometry, and western blotting convincingly demonstrated that compound <strong>20</strong> robustly promotes apoptosis in HepG2 cells, marked by decreased expression of pro-survival proteins (caspase 3/8/9, Bcl-2) and increased expression of pro-apoptotic Bax. Network pharmacology identified PPARγ as a key potential target. Western blots using a PPARγ agonist (pioglitazone) and antagonist (T0070907) validated its crucial role in mediating compound <strong>20</strong>-induced apoptosis in HepG2 cells. Complementary molecular modeling, including docking and molecular dynamics simulations, underscored the high binding affinity and stabilizing interaction between compound <strong>20</strong> and PPARγ. Furthermore, a CETSA assay provided additional support, confirming that compound <strong>20</strong> enhances PPARγ's thermal stability. Collectively, these findings strongly suggest that compound <strong>20</strong> inhibits HepG2 proliferation and promotes HepG2 apoptosis <em>via</em> PPARγ modulation, positioning it as a promising lead compound for hepatocellular carcinoma treatment.</p>","PeriodicalId":88,"journal":{"name":"MedChemComm","volume":" 3","pages":" 1493-1512"},"PeriodicalIF":3.597,"publicationDate":"2026-02-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147326780","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"1,3,4-Oxadiazole derivatives: targeting multiple bacterial pathways","authors":"Pankaj Gupta, Sangeeta Verma, Rakesh Narang, Bhupesh Sharma, Vikramjeet Singh and Sukhbir Lal","doi":"10.1039/D5MD01139F","DOIUrl":"10.1039/D5MD01139F","url":null,"abstract":"<p >Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has emerged as a major worldwide issue in the effective management of infectious diseases. This problem prompted researchers worldwide to develop new therapeutic agents that target both well-established and novel biological pathways. Among numerous heterocyclic frameworks, 1,3,4-oxadiazole compounds have attracted considerable attention due to their diverse pharmacological activities. The incorporation of a 1,3,4-oxadiazole ring into antimicrobial agents enhances their flexibility and polarity, thereby improving interactions at the molecular level. Different research reports have indicated that these types of compounds exhibit potential interactions, such as hydrogen bonding, electrostatic forces, steric effects, and hydrophobic interactions, which contribute to enhancing their antibacterial efficacy by facilitating better binding with microbial targets. Reported data indicated that 1,3,4-oxadiazole-based compounds exhibited antibacterial activity through inhibition of various essential bacterial cell components or pathways, <em>viz.</em>, cell division, cell wall synthesis, proteolytic enzymes, folate, cofactors, lipids or fatty acids, ribosomes, detoxification and resistance inducers, virulence and pathogenicity, <em>etc.</em> The present study consolidates recent advances in SAR analysis and various binding modes of 1,3,4-oxadiazole derivatives as antibacterial agents, published between 2021 and 2025. This information will be beneficial for researchers in the development of novel antibacterial molecules based on the 1,3,4-oxadiazole moiety.</p>","PeriodicalId":88,"journal":{"name":"MedChemComm","volume":" 4","pages":" 1867-1887"},"PeriodicalIF":3.597,"publicationDate":"2026-02-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147444936","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
MedChemCommPub Date : 2026-02-23DOI: 10.1039/D5MD01011J
Ram N. Yadav, Sovan Dey, Md. Firoj Hossain, Devalina Ray, Bimal K. Banik, Luciana C. Schmidt and Vandana Singh
{"title":"Empowering molecular complexity via biocatalysis: emerging blueprints in the total synthesis of medicinally relevant natural products","authors":"Ram N. Yadav, Sovan Dey, Md. Firoj Hossain, Devalina Ray, Bimal K. Banik, Luciana C. Schmidt and Vandana Singh","doi":"10.1039/D5MD01011J","DOIUrl":"10.1039/D5MD01011J","url":null,"abstract":"<p >Biocatalysis has ascended as a defining force in contemporary total synthesis, furnishing catalytic modalities that deliver molecular complexity with unparalleled chemo-, regio-, and stereo-control. As structurally sophisticated therapeutics—including macrocyclic lactones, polyketides, terpenoids, alkaloids, and pharmacologically privileged scaffolds—continue to drive innovation, enzyme-mediated strategies provide mechanistically exquisite, environmentally consonant solutions that increasingly transcend the capabilities of traditional chemical catalysis. This review articulates the unifying principles and activation paradigms through which oxidoreductases, hydrolases, and transferases orchestrate the streamlined construction of architecturally dense natural products. In particular, emphasis is placed on cascade logic, mechanistically integrated chemoenzymatic platforms, and advances in enzyme engineering, which collectively furnish transformative blueprints for accessing next-generation bioactive architectures. By foregrounding conceptual frameworks rather than enumerating examples, this review positions biocatalysis as a central strategic axis at the intersection of synthetic methodology, chemical biology, and therapeutic discovery and as a driving force in shaping the future landscape of complex molecule synthesis (covering 2000–2025).</p>","PeriodicalId":88,"journal":{"name":"MedChemComm","volume":" 3","pages":" 1397-1444"},"PeriodicalIF":3.597,"publicationDate":"2026-02-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147284983","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}