Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40729368›Full record

ArticlePLoS neglected tropical diseases2025

Computational screening of antiviral candidates for Monkeypox virus DNA polymerase and A42R protein.

Muhammad Amjid, Muhammad Maroof Khan, Stephen F Pastore, John B Vincent, Tahir Muhammad

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in PLoS neglected tropical diseases, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 3 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
3citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

3 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
  2. Article
  3. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

5 authors.

Muhammad AmjidCollege of Pharmacy and Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju, Republic of Korea.
Muhammad Maroof KhanDepartment of Biotechnology, Agriculture University of Peshawar, Peshawar, Pakistan.
Stephen F PastoreMolecular Neuropsychiatry & Development (MiND) Lab, Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
John B VincentMolecular Neuropsychiatry & Development (MiND) Lab, Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.ORCID 0000-0003-0692-2519
Tahir MuhammadMolecular Neuropsychiatry & Development (MiND) Lab, Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Monkeypox virus (MPXV) is emerging as a major concern in the field of infectious diseases. Current treatments are limited, highlighting the need for new therapeutic options. The use of computational methods, such as molecular docking and molecular dynamic (MD) simulations, is a valuable approach in identifying potential compounds that can target specific proteins of the virus, like the DNA polymerase and profilin-like protein profilin-like protein A42R (A42R) in this case, with the aim of controlling the disease. Our study focused on screening various libraries of compounds for predicted binding to MPXV DNA Polymerase (DPol) and A42R proteins, with the top-performing molecules identified based on their docking scores. Among these, Dorsilurin K and Mangostin in complex with DPol, whereas [2-oxo-2-[3-(3,4,5,6-tetrahydro-2H-azepin-7-ylsulfamoyl)anilino]ethyl] 3,5-dimethylbenzoate and N-[4-[2-[4-(4-methylphenyl)sulfonylpiperazin-1-yl]-2-oxoethoxy]phenyl]furan-2-carboxamide in complex with A42R stand out with notably high docking scores, suggesting they may have a good affinity for binding to the DPol and A42R proteins of MPXV respectively. MD simulations confirmed the stability of these ligand-protein complexes followed by evaluation of the ADMET and oral bioavailability analysis. However, it is important that computational methods can suggest promising candidates, in vitro and eventually in vivo studies are essential to validate these therapeutic candidates. Further studies on these compounds will provide insights into their efficacy, safety, and potential side effects. In conclusion, this study offers promising avenues for developing potential treatments for MPXV. If the identified compounds prove effective in further studies, it could be a significant breakthrough in managing this zoonotic disease.

Indexed as

Antiviral AgentsDNA-Directed DNA PolymeraseMonkeypox virusViral ProteinsAnimalsDrug Evaluation, PreclinicalHumansMolecular Docking SimulationMolecular Dynamics SimulationAntiviral AgentsDNA-Directed DNA PolymeraseViral Proteins

Identifiers

PMID40729368
PMCPMC12393763

What Socratic holds

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LicenceCC BY
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Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.