Preprint / Version 1

From petals to healing: consolidated network pharmacology and molecular docking investigations of the mechanisms underpinning Rhododendron arboreum flower’s anti-NAFLD effects

Authors

  • Nitish Jangwan Department of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Delhi Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research University, New Delhi, India
  • Mausin Khan Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technology, Sardar Bhagwan Singh University, Dehradun, Uttarakhand, India
  • Richa Das Department of Biotechnology, Parul Institute of Applied Science, Parul University, Vadodara, Gujarat, India
  • Najla Altwaijry Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Princess Nourah Bint Abdulrahman University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
  • Ahlam Sultan Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Princess Nourah Bint Abdulrahman University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
  • Ruqaiyah Khan Department of Basic Health Sciences, Deanship of Preparatory Year for the Health Colleges, Princess Nourah Bint Abdulrahman University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
  • Shakir Saleem Department of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Saudi Electronic University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
  • Mamta Singh College of Pharmacy, COER University, Roorkee, Uttarakhand, India

Keywords:

burans, cytoscape, hepatoprotective, quercetin, rutin

Abstract

Rhododendron arboreum: Sm., also known as Burans is traditionally used as an anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic, hepatoprotective, adaptogenic, and anti-oxidative agent. It has been used since ancient times in Indian traditional medicine for various liver disorders. However, the exact mechanism behind its activity against NAFLD is not known. The aim of the present study is to investigate the molecular mechanism of Rhododendron arboreum flower (RAF) in the treatment of NAFLD using network pharmacology and molecular docking methods. Bioactives were also predicted for their drug-likeness score, probable side effects and ADMET profile. Protein-protein interaction (PPI) data was obtained using the STRING platform. For the visualisation of GO analysis, a bioinformatics server was employed. Through molecular docking, the binding affinity between potential targets and active compounds were assessed. A total of five active compounds of RAF and 30 target proteins were selected. The targets with higher degrees were identified through the PPI network. GO analysis indicated that the NAFLD treatment with RAF primarily entails a response to the fatty acid biosynthetic process, lipid metabolic process, regulation of cell death, regulation of stress response, and cellular response to a chemical stimulus. Molecular docking and molecular dynamic simulation exhibited that rutin has best binding affinity among active compounds and selected targets as indicated by the binding energy, RMSD, and RMSF data. The findings comprehensively elucidated toxicity data, potential targets of bioactives and molecular mechanisms of RAF against NAFLD, providing a promising novel strategy for future research on NAFLD treatment. Keywords: burans, cytoscape, hepatoprotective, quercetin, rutin

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