Theoretical investigation of complexes of uranyl(II), vanadyl(II) and zirconyl(II) with vitamin B13 as candidate compounds as anti-nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and Diabetes mellitus targets

Density functional theory (DFT) calculations were carried out utilizing the B3LYP functional in conjunction with the 6-311G++ and LanL2DZ basis sets to explore the molecular properties and geometries of Vitamin (Vit) B13 and its complexes with Uranyl (II), Vanadyl (II), and Zirconyl (II). The optimized structures, molecular electrostatic potential maps, key molecular properties, and HOMO-LUMO energy gaps of these compounds were systematically examined to gain insights into their electronic characteristics and stability. Bioactivity screenings of the synthesized complexes were performed using molecular docking studies to investigate their interactions with diabetes mellitus (DM) target proteins, specifically the Insulin Receptor (IR) (PDB ID: 1IR3) and the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPARγ) (PDB ID: 3K8S). These receptors play pivotal roles in the PPAR and AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) signaling pathways, which are essential for protecting against nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). The docking results highlighted the binding affinities and potential bioactivity of Vit B13 and its metal complexes, suggesting their promise as therapeutic agents against DM and NAFLD. This comprehensive computational study provides valuable insights into the molecular interactions and electronic properties of these compounds, paving the way for further experimental validation and potential pharmaceutical applications. KEY WORDS: Vitamin B13, Metal complexes, Diabetes mellitus, Molecular docking, DFT Bull. Chem. Soc. Ethiop. 2024, 38(6), 1743-1757. DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/bcse.v38i6.19