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In Silico Modeling Method for Computational Aquatic Toxicology of Endocrine Disruptors: A Software-Based Approach Using QSAR Toolbox
Published on: August 28, 2019
Suppression of human and rat 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase 1 by salicylate preservatives: 3D quantitative
Huiqian Zhang1, Jiayi He1, Xiuwei Shen2
1Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, the Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325200, China; Key Laboratory of Pediatric Anesthesiology, Ministry of Education, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325027, China; Key Laboratory of Precision Anesthesiology of Zhejiang Province, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325027, China.
Abstract:
The placenta contains 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase 1 (17β-HSD1), an enzyme critical for converting estrone to estradiol. Salicylates, widely used as preservatives, may inhibit 17β-HSD1, but their inhibitory strength and structure-activity relationships (SAR) remain unclear. This study evaluated 13 structurally diverse salicylates, identifying potent inhibitors of human and rat 17β-HSD1. Menthyl salicylate showed the strongest inhibition in humans (IC50: 5.23 μM) and rats (IC50: 14.85 μM). Inhibition correlated negatively with molecular weight, volume, carbon chain length, and LogP. Mechanistic studies revealed mixed/noncompetitive inhibition in both species. 3D-QSAR and molecular docking highlighted hydrophobic, van der Waals, and hydrogen-bonding interactions at the enzyme's active site. Key structural features, including carbon chain length and substituent patterns, determined inhibitory potency. These findings clarify SAR and suggest salicylates' potential as endocrine disruptors.

