Network pharmacology based anti-diabetic attributes of bioactive compounds from Ocimum gratissimum L. through computational approach

Targeting cardiotoxicity: the potential of Annona squamosa L. in doxorubicin therapy

Doxorubicin, a potent anthracycline used in chemotherapy, is limited by dose-dependent cardiotoxicity, leading to irreversible heart damage and heart failure. Common symptoms include fatigue, dyspnea, lower limb edema, hypotension, tachycardia, and transient arrhythmias. Annona squamosa L. (AS), traditionally used in medicine, was investigated for its cardioprotective action against doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity through computational studies. Phytocompounds were identified using literature reviews, Dr. Duke's, IMPPAT, and PubChem databases. Targets associated with Doxorubicin induced cardiotoxicity were accessed from GeneCards, and protein-protein interactions were analyzed using the STRING database. Cytoscape was used for network visualization, revealing 18 bioactives targeting 67 proteins across 14 pathways. PIK3R1 emerged as a key target with the highest interaction count among 767 targets. Molecular docking showed that the PIK3R1-Rutin complex had the lowest binding energy (- 11.873 kcal/mol), and a 100 ns molecular dynamics (MD) simulation confirmed its stability. LC-MS analysis of the crude extract indicated the presence of bioactives. In vitro antioxidant activity of AS, assessed using the DPPH assay, showed significant radical scavenging activity, correlating with the high total phenol (TPC) and total flavonoid content (TFC) detected. This integrated approach highlights AS's potential in mitigating doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s40203-025-00333-5.

Colchicine, serotobenine, and kinobeon A: novel therapeutic compounds in Carthamus tinctorius L. for the management of diabetes

Diabetes, a global health concern, poses increasing mortality risks. The pathogenesis of diabetes involves multiple mechanisms, with oxidative stress being one of the key contributors. As synthetic drugs have various side effects, which can be minimized by using herbal plants. This study focuses on the In vitro antioxidant potential, α-amylase inhibition potential, identification of bioactive compounds, and hub genes in diabetes treatment mechanism by using C. tinctorius Extraction of C. tinctorious lead and flower was performed using different solvents (Distilled water, methanol, chloroform, and Dimethyl ether). After extraction different concentrations range from 25–200 mg/mL) was made and checked against activities. The antioxidant potential was assessed using 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), total phenolic contents (TPC), and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) assays, while antidiabetic activity was evaluated through α-amylase inhibition assay. Phytochemicals was identified by GC–MS analysis, followed by ADMET screening and network pharmacology analysis using Swiss Target Prediction, Gene Card, DesGeNet, DAVID, STRING, Cytoscape, and drug revitalization databases. Results revealed positive correlations with DPPH, TAC, and TPC. Methanol extract exhibited the highest inhibitory concentration. Screening of 46 compounds was performed by studying their pharmacokinetic properties which revealed 9 compounds effective against 204 diabetes targets. Moreover, their network analysis identified four hub genes, including AKT1, JUN, EGFR, and MMP9. These genes found highly associated with drugs like Colchicine and Serotobenine. Revitalization analysis also highlighted four genes (EGFR, PTGS2, AKT1, and MMP9) strongly correlated with FDA-approved drugs. The study suggests C. tinctorius methanol extract is a potential source for novel drugs.

Graphical Abstract

Computational insights into the inhibitory mechanism of type 2 diabetes mellitus by bioactive components of Oryza sativa L. indica (black rice)

Background

Type 2 diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disease categorized by hyperglycemia, resistance to insulin, and ß-cell dysfunction. Around the globe, approximately 422 million people have diabetes, out of which 1.5 million die annually. In spite of innovative advancements in the treatment of diabetes, no biological drug has been known to successfully cure and avert its progression. Thereupon, natural drugs derived from plants are emerging as a novel therapeutic strategy to combat diseases like diabetes.

Objective

The current study aims to investigate the antidiabetic potential of natural compounds of Oryza sativa L. indica (black rice) in disease treatment.

Methods

Antioxidant activity and alpha amylase assays were performed to evaluate the therapeutic potential of the extract of Oryza sativa L. indica. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) was used for identification of constituents from the ethanol extract. ADMET profiling (absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, and toxicity), network pharmacology, and molecular dynamics simulation were employed in order to uncover the active ingredients and their therapeutic targets in O. sativa L. indica against type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Results

GC-MS of the plant extract provided a list of 184 compounds. Lipinski filter and toxicity parameters screened out 18 compounds. The topological parameters of the protein-protein interaction (PPI) were used to shortlist the nine key proteins (STAT3, HSP90AA1, AKT1, SRC, ESR1, MAPK1, NFKB1, EP300, and CREBBP) in the type 2 diabetes mellitus pathways. Later, molecular docking analysis and simulations showed that C14 (1H-purine-8-propanoic acid, .alpha.-amino-2, 3, 6, 7-tetrahydro-1,3,7-trimethyl-2,6-dioxo-) and C18 (cyclohexane-carboxamide, N-furfuryl) bind with AKT1 and ESR1 with a binding energy of 8.1, 6.9, 7.3, and 7.2 kcal/mol, respectively. RMSD (root-mean-square deviation) and RMSF (root-mean-square fluctuation) values for AKT1 and ESR1 have shown very little fluctuation, indicating that proteins were stabilized after ligand docking.

Conclusion

This study suggests therapeutic drug candidates against AKT1 and ESR1 to treat type 2 diabetes mellitus. However, further wet-lab analysis is required to discover the best remedy for type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Mulberry Leaf Compounds and Gut Microbiota in Alzheimer's Disease and Diabetes: A Study Using Network Pharmacology, Molecular Dynamics Simulation, and Cellular Assays

Recently, studies have reported a correlation that individuals with diabetes show an increased risk of developing Alzheimer's disease (AD). Mulberry leaves, serving as both a traditional medicinal herb and a food source, exhibit significant hypoglycemic and antioxidative properties. The flavonoid compounds in mulberry leaf offer therapeutic effects for relieving diabetic symptoms and providing neuroprotection. However, the mechanisms of this effect have not been fully elucidated. This investigation aimed to investigate the combined effects of specific mulberry leaf flavonoids (kaempferol, quercetin, rhamnocitrin, tetramethoxyluteolin, and norartocarpetin) on both type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and AD. Additionally, the role of the gut microbiota in these two diseases' treatment was studied. Using network pharmacology, we investigated the potential mechanisms of flavonoids in mulberry leaves, combined with gut microbiota, in combating AD and T2DM. In addition, we identified protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B) as a key target for kaempferol in these two diseases. Molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations showed that kaempferol has the potential to inhibit PTP1B for indirect treatment of AD, which was proven by measuring the IC50 of kaempferol (279.23 μM). The cell experiment also confirmed the dose-dependent effect of kaempferol on the phosphorylation of total cellular protein in HepG2 cells. This research supports the concept of food-medicine homology and broadens the range of medical treatments for diabetes and AD, highlighting the prospect of integrating traditional herbal remedies with modern medical research.