The potency of blumeatin and luteolin as caspase-1 inhibitor by molecular docking

COVID-19 infection induces inflammation by increasing cytokines such as IL-1b, IL-6, IL-18, IFN-γ, and TNF-α. IL-1b is generated by the involvement of caspase-1. Therefore, caspase-1 inhibitor can be potential for inflammation therapy caused by COVID-19 infection. This study aims to determine the potential of blumeatin and luteolin as anti-inflammatory agents by inhibiting caspase-1 using a molecular docking approach. This study was carried out by caspase-1 (PDB ID: 1RWK) preparation, blumeatin and luteolin structure optimization, docking protocol validation, and docking of blumeatin and luteolin on caspase-1. Bluematin and luteolin had a binding affinity of -5,63 kcal/mol and -5,93 kcal/mol, lower than Q158 native ligand (-3.92 kcal/mol). Similar amino acid residues in hydrogen bonds interaction were observed between Q158 native ligand, blumeatin, and luteolin with caspase-1 (GLN 283 and ARG 179). Blumeatin and luteolin are potentially anti-inflammation agents through the inhibition of the caspase-1 in silico.

The potency of alpha-humulene as HER-2 inhibitor by molecular docking

HER-2 overexpression is present in approximately 20% of breast cancer. This research aims to study the interactions of α-humulene to HER-2 protein by using in silico molecular docking. The experiment was carried out by HER-2 protein preparation (PDB ID 3PP0), docking validation, α-humulene optimization, and α-humulene docking. The results showed that α-humulene had binding energy of -7.50 kcal/mol, Van der Waals binding energy of -7.48 kcal/mol, and electrostatic energy of -0.02 kcal/mol. α-Humulene is potential as anti-breast cancer towards HER-2 in silico.

Molecular docking of lutein as anti-photoaging agent in silico

The accumulation of UV exposure resulted in the loss of skin elasticity, and the appearance of wrinkles on the skin is commonly known as photoaging. Matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1) is an enzyme that degrades type I and III fibrillar collagen. This study aims to determine the mechanism of MMP-1 inhibition by lutein, a carotenoid compound with high antioxidant activity, using in silico molecular docking. This study was conducted by optimization of lutein structure using HyperChem 8, preparation of MMP-1 (PDB ID: 966C) using Chimera 1.10.1, validation of the method, and docking lutein against MMP-1 using Autodock 4.2. The results showed lutein had binding energy of -12.28 kcal/mol, lower than RS2 native ligand (-10.83 kcal/mol). The hydrogen bond formed between lutein and MMP-1 through HIS228 residue. To conclude, lutein may be developed as an anti-photoaging agent by inhibiting the MMP-1.

In silico molecular docking of quercetin as anti-colorectal cancer agents by inhibiting LT4AH

Colorectal cancer is a malignant neoplasm originating from the colon or rectum. Overexpression of leukotriene A4 hydrolase (LTA4H) increases the growth of HCT116 colon cancer cells, therefore, this enzyme becomes an attractive target for commercial drug bestatin. Meanwhile, quercetin is a member of flavonoids possessing a wide variety of anticancer. This study aimed to determine the potential of quercetin as anti-colorectal cancer by inhibiting LTA4H through in silico molecular docking. The docking process involved optimizing quercetin structure, preparing LTA4H protein (PDB ID: 3U9W), validating the molecular docking method, and docking quercetin and bestatin on LTA4H. The binding energy of quercetin to LTA4H was -9.57 kcal/mol, while 28P native ligand and bestatin yielded -10.22 kcal/mol and -9.10 kcal/mol, respectively. Based on the binding energy value, quercetin has a potential inhibitory against the LTA4H.

Molecular docking of gallic acid as anti-photoaging in silico

Skin aging caused by excessive exposure to ultraviolet is known as photoaging. The mechanism underlying skin photoaging relates to collagen degradation in the extracellular matrix (ECM) by overexpression of matrix metalloproteinases-1 (MMP-1). Gallic acid is a phenolic antioxidant found in many types of plants and can be used as an anti-photoaging agent due to its antioxidant activity. This study aims to determine the potential effect of gallic acid as an anti-photoaging against MMP-1 using in silico molecular docking. The stages included gallic acid structure optimization using the HyperChem 8, preparation of protein target MMP-1 (PDB ID: 966C) using the Chimera1.10.1, validation the molecular docking protocol, and docking gallic acid on MMP-1 with the Autodock 1.5.6. The results showed that gallic acid had an affinity for MMP-1 with a binding energy of -6.0 kcal/mol. There are similar amino acid residues in hydrogen bonds between the native ligand RS2 with MMP-1 and gallic acid with MMP-1, namely ALA 182, LEU 181, and HIS 218. The results suggest that gallic acid has the potential as the anti-photoaging agent through the inhibition of the MMP-1 enzyme.

In silico study of lutein as anti-HER-2 receptors in breast cancer treatment

Human Epidermal Receptor-2 (HER-2) overexpression is implicated in breast cancer progression; thus, HER-2 is widely used as the target of anticancer therapy. Lapatinib is a drug widely used to inhibit the HER-2 receptor and tyrosine kinase; however, it develops drug resistance. Lutein is promising to be developed as breast cancer therapy. This study aims to determine the mechanism of inhibition of HER-2 receptor overexpression by lutein in silico. Molecular docking was carried out by optimizing the lutein and lapatinib, preparing of protein target HER-2 (PDB ID 3PP0), validating of molecular docking protocol, and docking of lutein and lapatinib on HER-2. The study resulted in the binding energy of -12.37 kcal/mol, while the binding energy of the native ligand and lapatinib to HER-2 was -10.43 kcal/mol and -12.25 kcal/mol, respectively. The binding energy showed that lutein has potential as breast anticancer suggested from the stronger affinity to HER2.

Eko Aditya Rifai (1989-2021)

An outstanding Indonesian young scientist on bioinformatics

Molecular Mechanism of Corticosteroid-Induced Hyperglycemia

Corticosteroids are widely used as strong anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive drugs to treat various diseases. However, the use of corticosteroids can cause several side effects, such as hyperglycemia. This review aims to examine the effect of corticosteroids on increasing glucose in molecular levels based on literature studies. A literature searching was carried out on the PubMed, Science Direct, and Google Scholar databases published in 2010-2020. Corticosteroids can cause an increase in blood glucose levels by several mechanisms. In the liver, glucocorticoids increase endogenous plasma glucose and stimulate gluconeogenesis. Glucocorticoids increase the production of non-esterified fatty acids which affect the signal transduction of insulin receptor substrate-1 in skeletal muscle. In adipose, glucocorticoids increase lipolysis and visceral adiposity through increased transcription and expression of protein adipose triglyceride lipase and hormone-sensitive lipase. In pancreatic beta cells, glucocorticoids directly inhibit the beta cell response to glucose through the role of protein kinase B and protein kinase C. At the molecular level, corticosteroids can cause hyperglycemia through mechanisms in the liver, skeletal muscle tissue, adipose tissue, and pancreatic beta cells.

Potential of pharmacological and herbal for COVID-19: a narrative review

The pandemic coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) presents an unprecedented challenge to identify effective drugs in the prevention and treatment process. At present, there is no proven therapy for this disease, although therapeutic approaches continue to be carried out using traditional medicines (herbal) and pharmacological therapy. Information about SARS-CoV-2 virology has rapidly developed and scientists try to provide a number of potential drugs. Remdesivir has strong in vitro activity against SARS-CoV-2. Several potential drugs are currently underway in a clinical trial. Chloroquine, hydroxychloroquine, and oseltamivir have not been proven to have efficacy, and the benefits of corticosteroids are still diverse. Current clinical evidence does not support the termination of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) inhibitors or angiotensin receptor blockers, coagulation therapy in patients with COVID-19 concomitant with comorbidities.

The detection of SARS-CoV-2 using reverse transcription loop-mediated isothermal amplification (RT-LAMP) in developing country

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) has infected the human system resulting in Covid-19, and has spread rapidly worldwide. Therefore, a fast, simple, cost-effective, and accurate detecting tool is required. The standard diagnostic tool of the World Health Organization is the reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). This method detects the presence of viral genetic material in the human body with accurate results. However, it has several limitations in terms of equipment, personnel, duration, and cost. Therefore, a fast, simple, and sensitive alternative detection, is required, one of which is the reverse transcription loop-mediated isothermal amplification (RT-LAMP) that functions under isothermal conditions. This method is battery-driven, hence, easy to move closer to the patient. Conclusively, the RT-LAMP test for SARS CoV-2 diagnosis produces comparable sensitivity to a standard RT-PCR and is more suitable for resource-poor settings, such as rural areas of developing countries.