Rational virtual screening, ADME, and molecular simulation studies of potential inhibitors of human superoxide dismutase 1 in a dysfunctional antioxidant system

Superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1), a copper-dependent enzyme, facilitates the conversion of superoxide anions into hydrogen peroxide and oxygen, thereby regulating superoxide levels. Dysfunctions in SOD1 have been linked to neurodegenerative disorders such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, as well as liver and lung cancers. This study aimed to identify SOD1 modulators using in silico rational virtual enrichment screening, pharmacokinetics, docking, and molecular dynamic simulation (MDS). The findings yielded 38 compounds, predominantly exhibiting high gastrointestinal absorption but mostly non-permeable across the blood–brain barrier, with few exhibiting inhibitory effects on selected cytochrome P450s. Molecular docking revealed that compound 1 (PubChem CID: 36791369) exhibited the highest binding affinity (−6.771 kcal·mol-1), followed by compound 19 (PubChem CID: 30935) with −6.468 kcal·mol-1, and compound 20 (PubChem CID: 135744521) with −5.978 kcal·mol-1. MDS and molecular mechanics/generalized Born surface area analysis indicated that the compound CID 36791369 – SOD1 complex and compound CID 30935 – SOD1 complex remained stable and energetically favorable under simulated physiological conditions at 0 ns and 100 ns. In conclusion, this study identified 38 compounds, among which compounds SN5, SN6, SN7, SN12, and SN25 emerged as potential inhibitors of SOD1 based on overall analyses. Further, research will be necessary to investigate the therapeutic effectiveness of these top five compounds in vitro and in vivo against SOD1.