Exploring Antiviral Drugs on Monolayer Black Phosphorene: Atomistic Theory and Explainable Machine Learning-Assisted Platform

Int J Mol Sci. 2024 Apr 30;25(9):4897. doi: 10.3390/ijms25094897.

Abstract

Favipiravir (FP) and ebselen (EB) belong to a diverse class of antiviral drugs known for their significant efficacy in treating various viral infections. Utilizing molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, machine learning, and van der Waals density functional theory, we accurately elucidate the binding properties of these antiviral drugs on a phosphorene single-layer. To further investigate these characteristics, this study employs four distinct machine learning models-Random Forest, Gradient Boosting, XGBoost, and CatBoost. The Hamiltonian of antiviral molecules within a monolayer of phosphorene is appropriately trained. The key aspect of utilizing machine learning (ML) in drug design revolves around training models that are efficient and precise in approximating density functional theory (DFT). Furthermore, the study employs SHAP (SHapley Additive exPlanations) to elucidate model predictions, providing insights into the contribution of each feature. To explore the interaction characteristics and thermodynamic properties of the hybrid drug, we employ molecular dynamics and DFT calculations in a vacuum interface. Our findings suggest that this functionalized 2D complex exhibits robust thermostability, indicating its potential as an effective and enabled entity. The observed variations in free energy at different surface charges and temperatures suggest the adsorption potential of FP and EB molecules from the surrounding environment.

Keywords: DFT; black phosphorus; drug vehicles; ensemble learning; inhibitor; molecular states; thermodynamic.

MeSH terms

  • Antiviral Agents* / chemistry
  • Antiviral Agents* / pharmacology
  • Azoles / chemistry
  • Azoles / pharmacology
  • Density Functional Theory
  • Isoindoles / chemistry
  • Machine Learning*
  • Molecular Dynamics Simulation*
  • Organoselenium Compounds / chemistry
  • Organoselenium Compounds / pharmacology
  • Thermodynamics

Substances

  • Antiviral Agents
  • Isoindoles
  • Organoselenium Compounds
  • ebselen
  • Azoles

Grants and funding

The authors were supported by King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) through Award No. FCC/1/1976-09-01 from the Office of Sponsored Research (OSR). For computer time, this research used the HPC resources of the Supercomputing Laboratory at KAUST.