Diclofenac Identified as a Kynurenine 3‑Monooxygenase Binder and Inhibitor by Molecular Similarity Techniques

In this study, we
apply a battery of molecular similarity techniques
to known inhibitors of kynurenine 3-monooxygenase (KMO), querying
each against a repository of approved, experimental, nutraceutical,
and illicit drugs. Four compounds are assayed against KMO. Subsequently,
diclofenac (also known by the trade names Voltaren, Voltarol, Aclonac,
and Cataflam) has been confirmed as a human KMO protein binder and
inhibitor in cell lysate with low micromolar KD and IC50, respectively, and low millimolar cellular
IC50. Hit to drug hopping, as exemplified here for one
of the most successful anti-inflammatory medicines ever invented,
holds great promise for expansion into new disease areas and highlights
the not-yet-fully-exploited potential of drug repurposing.