Physicochemical, spectral, medicinal, and toxicological studies of Ketoprofen, Ibuprofen, and their major degradants: A quantum-chemical and in silico approach

by Protyoi Chakraborty, Saithajit Mohajan, Omme Samia, Nusrat Jahan, Nazmul Islam, Mahbub Alam, Monir Uzzaman Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are significantly consumed all over the world to treat pain, inflammation, and fever. Despite their ability to reduce pain and inflammation, they and their degradants can be toxic to both human organisms and the environment.

This in-silico investigation has examined the spectral, physicochemical, biological, and toxicological properties of two frequently used NSAIDs, Ketoprofen (KTP) and Ibuprofen (IBP), along with some of their major degradants. Here, we have employed density functional theory, with the B3LYP/6-31g+(d,p) basis set, to determine the physicochemical as well as spectral properties of these compounds.

Additionally, we have employed several computational methods to assess their biological and toxicological properties. We also executed molecular docking and nonbonding interaction calculations to investigate their binding properties and mode(s) of action against the Aspirin Acetylated Human Cyclooxygenase-2 receptor (PDB ID: 5F19), along with MD simulation of these complexes.

2-(4 methylphenyl) propanoic acid (IBP6), showed the greatest values of enthalpy and free energy, whereas 2-hydroxy Ibuprofen (IBP5) showed the highest binding interactions.