Breaking the Barriers: Machine Learning-based c-RASAR Approach for Accurate Blood-Brain Barrier Permeability Prediction

The intricate nature of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) poses a significant challenge in predicting drug permeability, crucial for assessing central nervous system (CNS) drug efficacy and safety. This research introduces an innovative approach, the Classification Read-Across Structure-Activity Relationship (c-RASAR) framework, leveraging machine learning to enhance the accuracy of BBB permeability predictions. The c-RASAR seamlessly integrates principles from both read-across and 2D QSAR methodologies, underscoring the need to consider similarity-related aspects during the development of the c-RASAR model. It is crucial to note that the primary goal of this research is not to introduce yet another model for predicting BBB permeability, but rather to showcase the refinement in predicting the BBB permeability of organic compounds through the introduction of a c-RASAR approach. This groundbreaking methodology aims to elevate the accuracy of assessing neuropharmacological implications and streamline the process of drug development. In this study, an ML-based c-RASAR LDA model was developed using a dataset of 7807 compounds, encompassing both BBB-permeable and non-permeable substances sourced from the B3DB database (freely accessible at https://github.com/theochem/B3DB), for predicting BBB permeability in lead discovery for CNS drugs. The model's predictive capability was then validated using two external sets: one containing 276518 natural products (NPs) from the LOTUS database (accessible from https://lotus.naturalproducts.net/download) for data gap filling, and another comprising 13002 drug-like/drug compounds from DrugBank database (available from https://go.drugbank.com/) to assess the model's reliability. Further diversifying the predictive arsenal, various other ML-based c-RASAR models were also developed for comparison purposes. The proposed c-RASAR framework emerged as a powerful tool for predicting BBB permeability. This research not only advances the understanding of molecular determinants influencing CNS drug permeability but also provides a versatile computational platform for the rapid assessment of diverse compounds, facilitating informed decision-making in drug development and design.