π-Extended Unsymmetrical Squaraine Sensitizers With Substituent-Driven Electronic and Steric Modulation for High-Performance Far-Red DSSCs Abdullah N. Alotaibi, Sultan A. Al-horaibi, Yaaser Q. Almulaiky, Fares H. Al-Ostoot, Abdullah Al-Dakhil, J. Alkabli International Journal of Photoenergy, 2026 Understanding how molecular structure governs interfacial charge transfer and recombination dynamics is central to improving the efficiency of dye‐sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). In this work, two π ‐extended unsymmetrical squaraine sensitizers—TSQ‐OMe and TSQ‐NO 2 —were rationally designed to elucidate the role of substituent‐driven electronic and steric modulation on photoenergy conversion. Both dyes exhibit intense far‐red intramolecular charge‐transfer (ICT)‐type absorption above 660 nm, suitable energy‐level alignment for TiO 2 electron injection, and efficient dye regeneration, as suggested by electrochemical measurements and supported by DFT/TD‐DFT calculations. When applied in DSSCs, TSQ‐OMe delivers a power conversion efficiency of 7.78% in the presence of chenodeoxycholic acid (CDCA), outperforming TSQ‐NO 2 (6.41%). Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) reveals that the methoxy substituent suppresses interfacial recombination by increasing charge‐transfer resistance and prolonging electron lifetime, leading to enhanced open‐circuit voltage and photocurrent density. In contrast, the nitro group induces stronger molecular polarization that accelerates back‐electron transfer. These results demonstrate that precise substituent engineering in π ‐extended squaraines provides an effective strategy for regulating recombination kinetics and improving photoenergy conversion efficiency in far‐red DSSCs.
New Marine-Inspired Oxadiazole Derivatives for Use Against Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma Camilla Pecoraro, Daniela Carbone, Fares Hezam Mohammed Al Ostoot, Mahrou Vahabi, Giulia Lencioni, Patrizia Diana, Elisa Giovannetti, Barbara Parrino Marine Drugs, 2025 Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) remains one of the deadliest malignancies, with limited effective therapeutic options due to late diagnosis, aggressive progression, and rapid development of drug resistance. In pursuit of novel treatments, this study reports the design, synthesis, and biological evaluation of a new series of topsentin derivatives, featuring a 1,2,4-oxadiazole core. The newly synthesized derivatives were screened for antiproliferative activity against multiple PDAC cell lines (SUIT-2, Patu-T, and PANC-1), identifying several compounds with potent growth-inhibitory effects, particularly on SUIT-2 and Patu-T cells. Further studies demonstrated that these compounds also significantly inhibited cell migration and reduced clonogenic potential, with IC50 values in the micromolar range. The results suggest that these marine-inspired 1,2,4-oxadiazole derivatives effectively target key hallmarks of PDAC, including proliferation, migration, and colony formation, supporting their further development as promising candidates for overcoming drug resistance and metastatic progression in pancreatic cancer.
Structural and theoretical exploration of a multi-methoxy chalcone: Synthesis, quantum theory, electrostatics, molecular packing, DFT analysis, and in-silico anti-cancer evaluation Fares Hezam Al-Ostoot, P. Akhileshwari, Vivek Hamse Kameshwar, D.V. Geetha, Majed S. Aljohani, Hussam Y. Alharbi, Shaukath Ara Khanum, M.A. Sridhar Heliyon, 2024 This study explores the pharmacological potential of chalcones through a multidisciplinary approach, including synthesis, quantum theory, molecular electrostatics, and density functional theory (DFT) calculations. The synthesized compound, analyzed via single crystal X-ray diffraction, crystallized in the triclinic system (space group P-1) with C–H⋯O interactions stabilizing its structure. Hirshfeld surface analysis confirms these interactions, with H–H contacts dominating (45.1 %). Molecular electrostatics analysis reveals charge distribution, and a 3.10 eV HOMO-LUMO energy gap indicates bioactivity. Molecular docking identifies the compound (3a) showed a maximum Gscore of HTNF-α (−9.81 kcal/mol); Tubulin (−7.96 kcal/mol); COX2 (−7.88 kcal/mol), EGFR (−6.72 kcal/mol), and VEGFR1(-2.50 kcal/mol). Where compound (3c) showed maximum binding at the putative binding site with dock scores for VEGFR2 (−9.24 kcal/mol). This research not only advances molecular science but also holds promise for diverse applications, including drug design. The significance of this study lies in its comprehensive exploration of the pharmacological potential of chalcones using a multidisciplinary approach. Through the integration of synthesis, quantum theory, molecular electrostatics, and density functional theory (DFT) calculations, we have extensively explored the structural and biochemical characteristics of these compounds. This investigation has revealed valuable insights that have the potential to lead to significant advancements in the fields of molecular science and drug design. Moreover, the molecular docking studies shed light on the compound's interaction with various biological targets. The significant binding affinities observed for these targets underscore the potential therapeutic relevance of the synthesized compound in diverse disease conditions.
An Overview of Cancer Biology, Pathophysiological Development and It’s Treatment Modalities: Current Challenges of Cancer anti-Angiogenic Therapy Fares Hezam Al-Ostoot, Salma Salah, Shaukath Ara Khanum Cancer Investigation, 2024 A number of conditions and factors can cause the transformation of normal cells in the body into malignant tissue by changing the normal functions of a wide range of regulatory, apoptotic, and signal transduction pathways. Despite the current deficiency in fully understanding the mechanism of cancer action accurately and clearly, numerous genes and proteins that are causally involved in the initiation, progression, and metastasis of cancer have been identified. But due to the lack of space and the abundance of details on this complex topic, we have emphasized here more recent advances in our understanding of the principles implied tumor cell transformation, development, invasion, angiogenesis, and metastasis. Inhibition of angiogenesis is a significant strategy for the treatment of various solid tumors, that essentially depend on cutting or at least limiting the supply of blood to micro-regions of tumors, leading to pan-hypoxia and pan-necrosis inside solid tumor tissues. Researchers have continued to enhance the efficiency of anti-angiogenic drugs over the past two decades, to identify their potential in the drug interaction, and to discover reasonable interpretations for possible resistance to treatment. In this review, we have discussed an overview of cancer history and recent methods use in cancer therapy, focusing on anti-angiogenic inhibitors targeting angiogenesis formation. Further, this review has explained the molecular mechanism of action of these anti-angiogenic inhibitors in various tumor types and their limitations use. In addition, we described the synergistic mechanisms of immunotherapy and anti-angiogenic therapy and summarizes current clinical trials of these combinations. Many phase III trials found that combining immunotherapy and anti-angiogenic therapy improved survival. Therefore, targeting the source supply of cancer cells to grow and spread with new anti-angiogenic agents in combination with different conventional therapy is a novel method to reduce cancer progression. The aim of this paper is to overview the varying concepts of cancer focusing on mechanisms involved in tumor angiogenesis and provide an overview of the recent trends in anti-angiogenic strategies for cancer therapy.
Synergistic impact of Core-Shell PANI/HNT Nanofillers in polycarbonate films: Engineering structural integrity, electrical permittivity, and thermal stability for advanced … BS Shashikala, MQA Al-Gunaid, HM Gayitri, TH Keerthan, M Thanushree, ... Inorganic Chemistry Communications, 115990 , 2025 2025
Ecofriendly synthesis and antibacterial assessment of silver and copper nanoparticles using Solanum incanum L. extracts MAH Dhaif-Allah, A Qaid, MQA AL-Gunaid, WA Abdulrab, MG Al-asbahi, ... Discover Chemistry 2 (1), 293 , 2025 2025 Citations: 3
Integrated design and evaluation of a pyridazine-based SYK inhibitor: Synthesis, structural analysis, crystal engineering, DFT, MDs, and in vitro anticancer validation FH Al-Ostoot, P Akhileshwari, J Stondus, VH Kameshwar, MS Aljohani, ... Journal of Molecular Liquids, 128790 , 2025 2025
Multi-scale investigation of PQ3-quinoxaline derivatives as selective COX-2 inhibitors: synthesis, structural analysis, DFT, MD simulations, and in silico/in vitro evaluation FH Al-Ostoot, P Akhileshwari, VH Kameshwar, MS Aljohani, HY Alharbi, ... Bioorganic Chemistry, 108987 , 2025 2025
New Marine-Inspired Oxadiazole Derivatives for Use Against Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma C Pecoraro, D Carbone, FHM Al Ostoot, M Vahabi, G Lencioni, P Diana, ... Marine Drugs 23 (8), 327 , 2025 2025 Citations: 1
Preparation of nano-graphene oxide and its reduction via a natural extract for its application as a photocatalyst in purifying water contaminated by malachite green dye MQA AL-Gunaid, Fares H. Al-Ostoot, W Abd al-Rabb Journal of the Faculty of Education 14 (1), 9-29 , 2025 2025
Optimizing and analysing the anti-cancer potential of novel Quinoline acetohydrazide (QAH): A comprehensive study involving synthesis, structural evaluation, 3D energy … FH Al-Ostoot, P Akhileshwari, VH Kameshwar, MS Aljohani, HY Alharbi, ... Journal of Molecular Structure 1325, 140840 , 2025 2025 Citations: 3
Molecular drug design, theoretical, experimental approaches and new framework of novel oxazol dihydroquinoxaline (ODQ): Efficient synthesis, crystallographic, computational … N Abad, P Akhileshwari, MS Aljohani, HY Alharbi, S Saffour, JT Mague, ... Journal of Molecular Structure 1321, 139762 , 2025 2025 Citations: 10
Exploring the anticancer properties of indole pyrimidine derivatives: Synthesis, structural insights, docking analysis, and in vitro evaluation HM Pallavi, VH Kameshwar, FH Al-Ostoot, SA Khanum Chemical Physics Impact 9, 100730 , 2024 2024 Citations: 3
An overview of cancer biology, pathophysiological development and it’s treatment modalities: current challenges of cancer anti-angiogenic therapy FH Al-Ostoot, S Salah, SA Khanum Cancer Investigation 42 (7), 559-604 , 2024 2024 Citations: 31
Structural and theoretical exploration of a multi-methoxy chalcone: Synthesis, quantum theory, electrostatics, molecular packing, DFT analysis, and in-silico anti-cancer evaluation FH Al-Ostoot, P Akhileshwari, VH Kameshwar, DV Geetha, MS Aljohani, ... Heliyon 10 (13) , 2024 2024 Citations: 14
Enhancing photovoltaic efficiency with SQI-Br and SQI-I sensitizers: A comparative analysis SA Al-horaibi, AB Al-Odayni, M ALSaeedy, FH Al-Ostoot, A Al-Salihy, ... Open Chemistry 21 (1), 20230168 , 2023 2023 Citations: 8
Design, synthesis, characterization, docking studies of novel 4-phenyl acrylamide-1, 3-thiazole derivatives as anti-inflammatory and anti-ulcer agents HM Pallavi, FH Al-Ostoot, VH Kameshwar, H Khamees, SA Khanum Journal of Molecular Structure 1292, 136126 , 2023 2023 Citations: 29
Synthesis, crystal structure, DFT, Hirshfeld surface analysis, energy frameworks and in-Silico drug-targeting PFKFB3 kinase of novel triazolequinoxalin derivative (TZQ) as a … N Abad, FH Al-Ostoot, S Ashraf, K Chkirate, MS Aljohani, HY Alharbi, ... Heliyon 9 (11) , 2023 2023 Citations: 18
Exploring DSSC efficiency enhancement: SQI-F and SQI-Cl dyes with iodolyte electrolytes and CDCA optimization SA Al-Horaibi, AB Al-Odayni, M ALSaeedy, FH Al-Ostoot, A Al-Salihy, ... Molecules 28 (20), 7129 , 2023 2023 Citations: 14
Photo-Electrical tandem of modulated polyvinyl alcohol based plasticized solid polymer electrolyte nanocomposite films: Effect of propylene carbonate contents MQA Al-Gunaid, WA Ahmed, FH Al-Ostoot Thamar University Journal of Natural & Applied Sciences 8 (1), 39-55 , 2023 2023 Citations: 2
Magnesium bismuth ferrite nitrogen-doped carbon nanomagnetic perovskite: synthesis and characterization as a high-performance electrode in a supercapacitor for energy storage BM Al-Maswari, N Al-Zaqri, K Alkanad, FH AlOstoot, A Boshaala, ... ACS omega 8 (18), 16145-16157 , 2023 2023 Citations: 50
Structural, Hirshfeld surface and three-dimensional interaction-energy studies of 1, 3, 5-triethyl 2-amino-3, 5-dicyano-4, 6-bis (4-fluorophenyl) cyclohex-1-ene-1, 3, 5 … SN Chandana, DP Ganesha, NR Sreenatha, AS Harisha, ... Structure Reports 79 (5), 446-450 , 2023 2023
Heliyon 9, e21312 N Abad, FH Al-Ostoot, S Ashraf, K Karim, MS Aljohani, HY Alharbi, ... CSD , 2023 2023 Citations: 2
Lepidium sativum Seed Extract‐Mediated Synthesis of Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles: Structural, Morphological, Optical, Hemolysis, and Antibacterial Studies A Alnehia, A Al-Sharabi, AB Al-Odayni, AH Al-Hammadi, FH Al-Ostoot, ... Bioinorganic Chemistry and Applications 2023 (1), 4166128 , 2023 2023 Citations: 28
MOST CITED SCHOLAR PUBLICATIONS
Tumor angiogenesis: Current challenges and therapeutic opportunities FH Al-Ostoot, S Salah, HA Khamees, SA Khanum Cancer treatment and research communications 28, 100422 , 2021 2021 Citations: 312
Synthesis, crystal structure, DFT calculations, Hirshfeld surface analysis, energy frameworks, molecular dynamics and docking studies of novel isoxazolequinoxaline derivative … N Abad, HH Sallam, FH Al-Ostoot, HA Khamees, SA Al-horaibi, ... Journal of Molecular Structure 1232, 130004 , 2021 2021 Citations: 86
Recent investigations into synthesis and pharmacological activities of phenoxy acetamide and its derivatives (chalcone, indole and quinoline) as possible therapeutic candidates FH Al-Ostoot, Zabiulla, S Salah, SA Khanum Journal of the Iranian Chemical Society 18 (8), 1839-1875 , 2021 2021 Citations: 57
Design-based synthesis, molecular docking analysis of an anti-inflammatory drug, and geometrical optimization and interaction energy studies of an indole acetamide derivative FH Al-Ostoot, DV Geetha, YHE Mohammed, P Akhileshwari, MA Sridhar, ... Journal of Molecular Structure 1202, 127244 , 2020 2020 Citations: 52
Molecular Structure, DFT, Vibrational Spectra with Fluorescence Effect, Hirshfeld Surface, Docking Simulation and Antioxidant Activity of Thiazole Derivative MM Hussien A. Khamees,[a] Yasser H. E. Mohammed,[b, c] Ananda Swamynayaka,[a ... Chemistry Select 4 (15), 4544 –4558 , 2019 2019 Citations: 51
Magnesium bismuth ferrite nitrogen-doped carbon nanomagnetic perovskite: synthesis and characterization as a high-performance electrode in a supercapacitor for energy storage BM Al-Maswari, N Al-Zaqri, K Alkanad, FH AlOstoot, A Boshaala, ... ACS omega 8 (18), 16145-16157 , 2023 2023 Citations: 50
Effect of o-difluoro and p-methyl substituents on the structure, optical properties and anti-inflammatory activity of phenoxy thiazole acetamide derivatives: theoretical and … HA Khamees, YHE Mohammed, FH Al-Ostoot, S Alghamdi, SA Khanum, ... Journal of Molecular Structure 1199, 127024 , 2020 2020 Citations: 46
Synthesis, crystal structure, Hirshfeld surface analysis, DFT calculations, 3D energy frameworks studies of Schiff base derivative 2, 2′-((1Z, 1′ Z)-(1, 2-phenylene bis … KM Chandini, FH Al-Ostoot, EE Shehata, NY Elamin, H Ferjani, ... Journal of Molecular Structure 1244, 130910 , 2021 2021 Citations: 42
Synthesis, crystal structure and 3D energy frameworks of ethyl 2-[5-nitro-2-oxopyridine-1 (2H)-yl] acetate: Hirshfeld surface analysis and DFT calculations K Kumara, FH Al-Ostoot, YHE Mohammed, SA Khanum, NK Lokanath Chemical Data Collections 20, 100195 , 2019 2019 Citations: 41
Recent investigation on heterocycles with one nitrogen [piperidine, pyridine and quinoline], two nitrogen [1, 3, 4-thiadiazole and pyrazole] and three nitrogen [1, 2, 4 … Zabiulla, FH Al-Ostoot, AM S, M Al-Ghorbani, SA Khanum Journal of the Iranian Chemical Society 19 (1), 23-54 , 2022 2022 Citations: 40
Synthesis, characterization, DFT, docking studies and molecular dynamics of some 3-phenyl-5-furan isoxazole derivatives as anti-inflammatory and anti-ulcer agents HM Pallavi, FH Al-Ostoot, HK Vivek, SA Khanum Journal of Molecular Structure 1250, 131812 , 2022 2022 Citations: 35
Synthesis, Elucidation, Hirshfeld surface analysis, and DFT calculations of 4-chloro-N-[2-(2-1H-indol-3-yl-acetylamino)-phenyl]-benzamide DV Geetha, FH Al-Ostoot, YHE Mohammed, MA Sridhar, SA Khanum, ... Journal of Molecular Structure 1178, 384-393 , 2019 2019 Citations: 34
Design, docking, synthesis, and characterization of novel N'(2-phenoxyacetyl) nicotinohydrazide and N'(2-phenoxyacetyl) isonicotinohydrazide derivatives as anti-inflammatory … HM Pallavi, FH Al-Ostoot, HK Vivek, SA Khanum Journal of Molecular Structure 1247, 131404 , 2022 2022 Citations: 32
Targeting HIF-1α by newly synthesized Indolephenoxyacetamide (IPA) analogs to induce anti-angiogenesis-mediated solid tumor suppression FH Al-Ostoot, A Sherapura, V Vigneshwaran, G Basappa, HK Vivek, ... Pharmacological Reports, 1-16 , 2021 2021 Citations: 32
An overview of cancer biology, pathophysiological development and it’s treatment modalities: current challenges of cancer anti-angiogenic therapy FH Al-Ostoot, S Salah, SA Khanum Cancer Investigation 42 (7), 559-604 , 2024 2024 Citations: 31
Molecular docking and synthesis of caffeic acid analogous and its anti-inflammatory, analgesic and ulcerogenic studies FH Al-Ostoot, S Grisha, YHE Mohammed, HK Vivek, SA Khanum Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry Letters 33, 127743 , 2021 2021 Citations: 30
Design, synthesis, characterization, docking studies of novel 4-phenyl acrylamide-1, 3-thiazole derivatives as anti-inflammatory and anti-ulcer agents HM Pallavi, FH Al-Ostoot, VH Kameshwar, H Khamees, SA Khanum Journal of Molecular Structure 1292, 136126 , 2023 2023 Citations: 29
Molecular docking, synthesis and antimicrobial evaluation of metal complexes with Schiff base S Kouser, M Joythi, AB Begum, MS Asha, FH Al-Ostoot, DP Lakshmeesha, ... Results in Chemistry 5, 100650 , 2023 2023 Citations: 29
Lepidium sativum Seed Extract‐Mediated Synthesis of Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles: Structural, Morphological, Optical, Hemolysis, and Antibacterial Studies A Alnehia, A Al-Sharabi, AB Al-Odayni, AH Al-Hammadi, FH Al-Ostoot, ... Bioinorganic Chemistry and Applications 2023 (1), 4166128 , 2023 2023 Citations: 28
Novel hemicyanine sensitizers based on benzothiazole-indole for dye-sensitized solar cells: Synthesis, optoelectrical characterization and efficiency of solar cell SA Al-horaibi, AA Alrabie, MT Alghamdi, FH Al-Ostoot, EM Garoon, ... Journal of Molecular Structure 1224, 128836 , 2021 2021 Citations: 27