Selenium Organic Content Prediction in Jengkol (Archidendron pauciflorum) and Its Molecular Interaction with Cardioprotection Receptors PPAR-γ, NF-κB, and PI3K

Selenium (Se) is a trace mineral found in plants with a distinct sulfuric odor that is cardioprotective and reported to have low toxicity. West Java, Indonesia, has a variety of plants with a distinct odor that are consumed raw, such as jengkol (Archidendron pauciflorum). This study is conducted to determine the Se content of jengkol using the fluorometric method, where the jengkol extract is separated, and the Se content is detected using high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC), combined with fluorometry. Two fractions with the highest Se concentration (A and B) are found and characterized using liquid chromatography mass spectrometry to predict the organic Se content by comparing the results with those in the external literature. The Se content of fraction (A) is found to be selenomethionine (m/z 198), gamma glutamyl-methyl-selenocysteine-(GluMetSeCys; m/z 313), and the Se-sulfur (S) conjugate of cysteine-selenoglutathione (m/z 475). Furthermore, these compounds are docked on receptors involved in cardioprotection. The receptors are peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPAR-γ), nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB), and phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K/AKT). The interaction of receptor and ligan that has the lowest binding energy of the docking simulation is measured with molecular dynamic simulation. MD is performed to observe bond stability and conformation based on root mean square deviation, root mean square fluctuation, radius gyration, and MM-PBSA parameters. The results of the MD simulation show that the stability of the complex organic Se compounds tested with the receptors is lower than that of the native ligand, while the binding energy is lower than that of the native ligand based on the MM-PSBA parameter. This indicates that the predicted organic Se in jengkol, i.e., gamma-GluMetSeCys to PPAR-γ, gamma-GluMetSeCys AKT/PI3K, and Se-S conjugate of cysteine-selenoglutathione to NF-κB, has the best interaction results and provides a cardioprotection effect, compared to the molecular interaction of the test ligands with the receptors.

Correlation study between gastronomy culture and content of selenium towards prevalence of cardiovascular and diabetes in West Java, Indonesia

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Selenium (Se) is an important element in the human body. Deficiency or excess of Se can cause harm to human health. A previous study showed an association of Se with cardiovascular and diabetes diseases. One of the food sources of Se is vegetables. In West Java, Indonesia, people consume fresh vegetables such as Garlic, Jengkol, and Petai. This research aims to study the correlation between the gastronomy culture of people in West Java, Se content in Garlic (Allium sativum), Jengkol (Archidendron pauciflorum) and Petai (Parkia speciosa) from several Regencys/cities in West Java, and the prevalence cardiovascular and diabetic diseases.

METHOD

A cultural study was conducted based on a literature review. Cluster sampling was chosen for the sampling method. The prevalence of cardiovascular disease and diabetes in these regencies were obtained from the Ministry of Health of Indonesia. The measurement of Se content in a sample was conducted by the fluorometry method, based on the formation of the piazoselenol complex from the reaction between selenite ion and DAN (2,3-diaminonapthalene).

RESULTS

People in West Java prefer to consume garlic, jengkol, and petai as a fresh vegetable as part of their culture. The highest content of Se in Allium sativum was found in Tasikmalaya City with a value of 69.20 ng/g. For Archidendron pauciflorum from Subang Regency values were 498 ng/g. Parkia speciosa found in the Bandung Barat Regency had a mean value 257.9 ng/g. There is a positive correlation between Se-concentration in Archidendron pauciflorum and the prevalence of diabetes while negative correlation with the prevalence of cardiovascular disease. In addition, no correlation was observed for Allium sativum and Parkia Specose might be due to a lower Se-concentration in these vegetables that in the Archidendron fauciflorum.

CONCLUSION

Different areas have varying concentrations of Se in plants that grow in the region. The gastronomy culture and Se content may play a role to increase or decrease cardiovascular and diabetes prevalence in that area.

The role of selenium in cell survival and its correlation with protective effects against cardiovascular disease: A literature review

Selenium is a trace element that provides protection against cellular damage and death. Previous research using several types of cells identified anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic effects for selenium. One of the diseases related to selenium is cardiovascular disease, as low selenium intake has been linked to cardiomyopathy. However, the mechanism of the cardioprotective effects of selenium is not thoroughly understood. Several studies supported the possible effects of selenium on heart cell survival. In this review, we analyzed recent research (2015-2020) on the roles and mechanism of action of selenium in cell survival and its cardioprotective effects. Furthermore, the prevention of apoptosis through both intrinsic and extrinsic pathways is discussed in this review. Signalling pathways that regulate cell survival such as the p-AMPK, poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase-1, nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor-2, AKT/PI3K, and STAT pathways are involved in the protective effects of selenium. In addition, signaling pathways that affect heart cell survival include the AKT and STAT pathways. It also affects autophagy through the PPAR-γ pathway. These findings should facilitate further research on the cardioprotective effects of selenium.