Orotic Acid–1,2,4-Triazole Hybrids as Potential MMP-2,9 Modulating Wound-Healing Agents: Synthesis, Molecular Docking and Biological Evaluation

The matrix metalloproteinases MMP-2 and MMP-9 are involved in extracellular matrix remodeling, inflammatory response, and tissue remodeling, and overactivity of certain metalloproteinases may also contribute to chronic wound healing. The aim of this work was to synthesize novel hybrid derivatives of orotic acid and 1,2,4-triazole and investigate them as potential modulators of MMP-2/MMP-9. The structure of the compounds was confirmed by 1H, 13C NMR spectroscopy, LC–MS, and elemental analysis. Pharmacokinetic properties were calculated using SwissADME, and enzyme interactions were characterized using molecular docking strategies, protein–ligand contact analysis, and 100 ns molecular dynamics. The inhibitory effect was also assessed in vitro by fluorimetry at a concentration of 10 μM. The compounds had an acceptable drug-like profile, without violations of Lipinski’s rule and PAINS warnings. The highest affinity for MMP-9 was also found for the three target proteins 17, 19 and 13, which showed values of −9.65, −9.47 and −9.17 kcal/mol, respectively, compared to −8.37 kcal/mol for NNGH. Dynamic molecular analysis confirmed the stability of the 13–MMP-9 complex. Compounds 17 and 13 inhibited MMP-9 by 94.2 ± 4.8% and 85.2 ± 3.8%, respectively, with little effect on MMP-2, whereas compound 19 showed balanced inhibition of MMP-2 and MMP-9 by 74.2 ± 4.4% and 79.2 ± 2.8%, respectively. The results identified 13 and 17 as potential compounds with preferential effects on MMP-9, and 19 as a possible dual inhibitor for wound healing activity studies.