Molecular docking analysis of lupeol with different cancer targets

Binding affinity screening of polyphenolic compounds in Stachys affinis extract (SAE) for their potential antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects

Free radical is a marker in various inflammatory diseases. The antioxidant effect protects us from this damage, which also plays an essential role in preventing inflammation. Inflammation protects the body from biological stimuli, and pro-inflammatory mediators are negatively affected in the immune system. Inflammation caused by LPS is an endotoxin found in the outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria, which induces immune cells to produce inflammatory cytokines such as cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and inducible nitric oxide synthase. Based on this, the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of plant extracts were investigated. First, the main phenolic compounds for the five peaks obtained from Stachys affinis extract (SAE) were identified. The antioxidant effect of each phenolic compound was confirmed through HPLC analysis before and after the competitive binding reaction between DPPH and the extract. Afterward, the anti-inflammatory effect of each phenolic compound was confirmed through competitive binding between COX2 and the extract in HPLC analysis. Lastly, the anti-inflammatory effect of SAE was confirmed through in vitro experiments and also confirmed in terms of structural binding through molecular docking. This study confirmed that phenolic compounds in SAE extract have potential antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, and may provide information for primary screening of medicinal plants.

A review of natural products targeting tumor immune microenvironments for the treatment of lung cancer

Lung cancer (LC) produces some of the most malignant tumors in the world, with high morbidity and mortality. Tumor immune microenvironment (TIME), a component of the tumor microenvironment (TME), are critical in tumor development, immune escape, and drug resistance. The TIME is composed of various immune cells, immune cytokines, etc, which are important biological characteristics and determinants of tumor progression and outcomes. In this paper, we reviewed the recently published literature and discussed the potential uses of natural products in regulating TIME. We observed that a total of 37 natural compounds have been reported to exert anti-cancer effects by targeting the TIME. In different classes of natural products, terpenoids are the most frequently mentioned compounds. TAMs are one of the most investigated immune cells about therapies with natural products in TIME, with 9 natural products acting through it. 17 natural products exhibit anti-cancer properties in LC by modulating PD-1 and PD-L1 protein activity. These natural products have been extensively evaluated in animal and cellular LC models, but their clinical trials in LC patients are lacking. Based on the current review, we have revealed that the mechanisms of LC can be treated with natural products through TIME intervention, resulting in a new perspective and potential therapeutic drugs.

Chromatographic analysis of selected phytosterols from Cyathea and their characterization by in silico docking to potential therapeutic targets

Separation and quantification of lupeol, stigmasterol and swertiamarin in ethanolic extracts of selected Cyathea species have been developed using HPTLC and an attempt is made to explore the biopotential of phytochemicals against various proteins by computational analysis. Compounds were separated using the specific mobile phase and the developed plates were sprayed with respective spraying reagents. The 3D structure of the receptor proteins viz., 1VSN, 5BNQ, 6HN8, 7DN4 and 3TJU, and the 3D SDF structures of ligands like lupeol, stigmasterol and swertiamarin were retrieved from the Protein Data Bank (PDB) and NCBI-Pub Chem Compound database respectively. The Argus 4.0.1 is computer generated drug design screening software is employed to analyze the binding affinity of test compounds against the selected proteins in the form of E-values versus potential drug targets. The docking result was saved and visualized using Discovery Studio Visualizer. The terpenoid band with Rf value 0.79 depicted the presence of lupeol in C. gigantea (0.04%) and C. crinita (0.02%). The steroid band with Rf value 0.41 confirmed the presence of stigmasterol with varied frequency viz., C. nilgirensis (0.33%), C. gigantea (0.29%) and C. crinita (0.52%). Lupeol, stigmasterol and swertiamarin showed the interaction against the studied proteins viz., 1VSN, 5BNQ, 6HN8, 7DN4, 3TJU with varied energy values and interacting residues. The results of the virtual screening and molecular docking analysis suggest that the phytochemical compounds of Cyathea species viz., lupeol and stigmasterol were identified as possible lead molecules to fight against cancer and cytotoxicity.