An insight to the toxic effect of Sulfamerazine on Porcine Pancreatic Amylase and Lactate Dehydrogenase Activity: An in vitro study
Background: Sulfamerazine, a sulfonamide has been routinely used to treat various bacterial infections namely Pneumonia, Urinary tract infections, Shigellosis, Bronchitis, Prostatitis, and many more. It interferes with the bacterial folic acid biosynthesis albeit higher eukaryotes are not susceptible to its action due to the inherent absence of this specific pathway. Objective: In spite of its constant use, Sulfamerazine administration evokes serious issues like development of antibacterial resistance through environmental contamination although how it affects eukaryotic system, specifically its target identification has not been addressed in detail. Methods: Hela Cells are cultured as per standard method, amylase and lactate dehydrogenase assay are conducted using standard procedure with spectrophotometer. Binding thermodynamics and conformational study has been estimated with isothermal titration calorimetry as well as with docking. Results: Experimental observations reveal that Sulfamerazine inhibits porcine pancreatic amylase in a noncompetitive mode (IC50 of 0.96 mM). Binding of the drug to porcine pancreatic amylase is entropy driven with conformational changes of the protein as indicated by concomitant red shift. It enhances the inhibitory effects of acarbose and cetapin on their in vitro pancreatic amylase activity. It augments lipid peroxidation and promotes lactic acidosis in a dose dependent manner. Docking studies ensure effective interactions between Sulfamerazine and proteins like lactic dehydrogenase and porcine pancreatic amylase. Conclusion: Detailed study is to be conducted to confirm whether molecular scaffold of Sulfamerazine might serve as an effective repurposed drug acting as a lead molecule for the design of antidiabetic drug of future use. Alternatively, it should be prescribed with caution under specific medical situations like diabetes, cancer, hepatic disorders manifesting lactic acidosis to avoid crisis.