Aim and Objective:
Lipoxygenase (LOX) enzymes play an important role in the
pathophysiology of several inflammatory and allergic diseases including bronchial asthma, allergic
rhinitis, atopic dermatitis, allergic conjunctivitis, rheumatoid arthritis and chronic obstructive
pulmonary disease. Inhibitors of the LOX are believed to be an ideal approach in the treatment of
diseases caused by its over-expression. In this regard, several synthetic and natural agents are under
investigation worldwide. Alkaloids are the most thoroughly investigated class of natural compounds
with outstanding past in clinically useful drugs. In this article, we have discussed various alkaloids of
plant origin that have already shown lipoxygenase inhibition in-vitro with possible correlation in in
silico studies.
Materials and Methods:
Molecular docking studies were performed using MOE (Molecular
Operating Environment) software. Among the ten reported LOX alkaloids inhibitors, derived from
plant, compounds 4, 2, 3 and 1 showed excellent docking scores and receptor sensitivity.
Result and Conclusion:
These compounds already exhibited in vitro lipoxygenase inhibition and the
MOE results strongly correlated with the experimental results. On the basis of these in vitro assays
and computer aided results, we suggest that these compounds need further detail in vivo studies and
clinical trial for the discovery of new more effective and safe lipoxygenase inhibitors. In conclusion,
these results might be useful in the design of new and potential lipoxygenase (LOX) inhibitors.
