📋 Browse Articles

Epilepsy is a debilitating neurological disorder that impacts approximately 50 million people worldwide. The treatment of epilepsy with antiepileptic drugs has not achieved effective seizure management and thus requires new therapeutic options. This study investigated the catechins' affect on epilepsy-related molecular targets using a computational method that combined network pharmacology, molecular docking, and molecular dynamics (MDs) simulation. We fetched 84 catechins-related and 5356 disease-associated targets from various databases, yielding 31 common targets. The protein-protein interaction (PPI) network of 31 common targets identified 10 hub genes, including ALB, INS, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), PTGS2, tumor necrosis factor (TNF), IL1B, FOS, IL6, LEP, and FGF2. Further, the functional enrichment analysis revealed that these common targets have a high prevalence in multiple pathways and gene ontology functions. Furthermore, "compound-target" and "compound-gene-pathway" networks were constructed and analyzed. Network pharmacology data show TNF, IL1B, and IL6 could influence epilepsy treatment by regulating several pathways. The Cresset Flare Pro+ docking study unveiled that the lead catechin, epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), exhibited the highest Lead Finder (LF) dG scores of -10.2, -9.40, and -8.15 kcal/mol against TNF, IL6, and IL1B, respectively. The electrostatic complementarity and Molecular Mechanics with Generalized Born and surface area (MMGBSA) results supported the docking results. Further, the stability of EGCG-bound complexes was analyzed using a 300 ns MD simulation. The principal component analysis yielded promising results for the EGCG-2AZ5 and EGCG-1ALU complexes collective motion. These findings provide computational evidence suggesting that EGCG has a promising scaffold for designing multi-target molecules that could modulate epilepsy, meriting further experimental validation. Show less

This study aims to elucidate the pharmacological basis and antidepressant mechanisms of a combined extract from Eucommia ulmoides Oliv. And Gastrodia elata Bl. (Eucommia-Gastrodia extract), employing an integrated strategy that combines UHPLC-QTOF-MS analysis, network pharmacology, molecular docking, and in vivo validation. This research integrated computational approaches network pharmacology, molecular docking and in vivo experimental investigations. Initially, the active constituents of the EGE were identified through ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UHPLC-QTOF-MS). Potential targets related to depression were predicted using the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database (TCMSP) and SwissADME. Protein-protein interaction (PPI) networks were constructed via the STRING database, followed by the development of a comprehensive "drug-active ingredient-target-disease" network. Functional annotation through Gene Ontology (GO) and pathway enrichment analysis based on the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) were conducted on the intersecting targets using the Database for Annotation, Visualization, and Integrated Discovery (DAVID). Molecular docking studies were erformed employing AutoDock software to validate the interactions. Finally, the antidepressant-like behavioral effects were evaluated in treated and non-treated corticosterone-induced mouse models using sucrose preference tests, forced swimming tests, open field tests, and tail suspension tests. The morphological impacts and molecular basis of disease on the hippocampal neurons were assessed using Hematoxylin and Eosin staining (HE) staining, Nissl staining, immunohistochemistry, and Western blot analysis to substantiate the identified through network pharmacology. Network pharmacology analysis revealed a complex interplay between identified active ingredients of Eucommia-Gastrodia extract and depression targets. From an initial pool of 131 active components, 34 identified as interacting with 233 shared depression related molecular targets. These targets were involved in 390 biological processes (BP), 60 cellular compounds (CC), 134 molecular functions (MF), and 148 KEGG-enriched signaling pathways. Molecular docking studies highlighted 20 principal compounds that bind to key targets such as AKT1, SRC, HIF-1, CREB, BDNF, and EPO. The Eucommia-Gastrodia extract alleviated depression like behaviors in a cortisol-induced mouse model, as indicated by increased sucrose preference and mobility time, etc. Additionally, the extract restored the levels of neurotransmitters 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) and dopamine (DA), alleviated hippocampal neuronal damage, and increased the positive expression of EPO and BDNF in the hippocampus. Furthermore, treatment with the extract significantly upregulated the protein expression of HIF-1, EPO, EPOR, CREB, p-CREB, BDNF and p-TrkB, which were otherwise downregulated in cortisol-induced depressive mice. The results indicate that the Eucommia-Gastrodia extract containing bioactive compounds such as oxysophocarpine, aucubin, pinoresinol, leonurine, syringaresinol, formononetin, icaritin, casticin, and 6-gingerol mitigates cortisol-induced neurodegeneration and depressive-like behaviors. This effect is mediated through modulation of the of HIF-1α-EPO/cAMP-CREB-BDNF signaling pathways. Show less

Intracerebroventricular (ICV) streptozotocin (STZ) deveops Alzheimer's disease (AD)-like conditions in rodents, which are characterized by insulin resistance, tau pathology, and neurodegeneration. Hentriacontane, a natural compound found in various sources, including beeswax, possesses anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. In the present investigation, we performed in silico molecular docking, molecular dynamics, MMGBSA, PCA, and FEL analysis of hentriacontane and rivastigmine with acetylcholinesterase (AchE). Further, we assessed the in vivo neuroprotective effects of hentriacontane in an ICV-STZ-induced AD-like condition in rats. STZ (3 mg/kg/ICV) was injected into male Sprague-Dawley rats. Cognitive functions were evaluated by Barnes-Maze (BM), novel object recognition test (NORT), and passive avoidance test (PAT). Hentriacontane (3 and 5 mg/kg) and rivastigmine (1 mg/kg) were given intraperitoneally for 14 days. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), AchE, oxidative stress parameters including GSH, MDA, SOD, and CAT, and proinflammatory cytokines including IL-6, TNF-α, IL-1β, and NF-ҡB were measured via ELISA. Further, we have also estimated the BACE1 and NO levels. Histopathological evaluation was conducted using hematoxylin and eosin staining. In silico molecular docking, dynamics, and post-dynamics data revealed promising binding affinities of hentriacontane for AchE. Further, hentriacontane attenuated ICV-STZ-induced cognitive deficit in BM, NORT, and PAT. Additionally, altered oxidative stress, proinflammatory, and cell signalling parameters were restored. Histopathology revealed that the hentriacontane-treated group showed significant restoration of the small pyramidal cells in the CA1 and CA2 regions of the brain. Hentriacontane demonstrated neuroprotective effects by modulation of AchE, leading to improved cognitive functions as evidenced by in silico and in vivo investigations. Show less