Watercress-derived glucosinolates as potential allosteric PTP1B inhibitors: a dual in silico and in vitro study on insulin signaling modulation

Abstract This study investigates the inhibitory potential of four glucosinolates—glucoerucin, glucoiberin, gluconasturtiin, and glucotropaeolin—isolated from watercress (Nasturtium officinale) against Protein Tyrosine Phosphatase 1B (PTP1B), a key regulator of insulin signaling. Molecular docking, m...

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Main Authors: Noha A. Ahmed, Ahmed A. Allam, Hassan A. Rudayni, Fahad M. Alshabrmi, Faris F. Aba Alkhayl, Doaa A. Abdelrheem, Al Mokhtar Lamsabhi, Sarah I. Othman, Emadeldin M. Kamel
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Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-06-01
Series:BMC Chemistry
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s13065-025-01544-9
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author Noha A. Ahmed
Ahmed A. Allam
Hassan A. Rudayni
Fahad M. Alshabrmi
Faris F. Aba Alkhayl
Doaa A. Abdelrheem
Al Mokhtar Lamsabhi
Sarah I. Othman
Emadeldin M. Kamel
author_facet Noha A. Ahmed
Ahmed A. Allam
Hassan A. Rudayni
Fahad M. Alshabrmi
Faris F. Aba Alkhayl
Doaa A. Abdelrheem
Al Mokhtar Lamsabhi
Sarah I. Othman
Emadeldin M. Kamel
author_sort Noha A. Ahmed
collection DOAJ
description Abstract This study investigates the inhibitory potential of four glucosinolates—glucoerucin, glucoiberin, gluconasturtiin, and glucotropaeolin—isolated from watercress (Nasturtium officinale) against Protein Tyrosine Phosphatase 1B (PTP1B), a key regulator of insulin signaling. Molecular docking, molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, and MM/PBSA free energy calculations identified glucoerucin (−17.18 ± 3.51 kcal/mol) and gluconasturtiin (−13.54 ± 1.79 kcal/mol) as the strongest binders, with stable interactions involving Phe280 and Phe196 through π-π stacking. Potential Energy Landscape (PEL) analysis further confirmed that these two compounds occupied the most stable low-energy conformational states, reinforcing their favorable binding to PTP1B. In vitro enzyme inhibition assays provided experimental validation that glucoerucin (IC₅₀ = 6.07 ± 0.69 µM) and gluconasturtiin (IC₅₀ = 7.65 ± 0.45 µM) demonstrated the strongest inhibitory effects, comparable to ursolic acid (IC₅₀ = 7.11 ± 0.95 µM). Enzyme kinetics revealed a non-competitive inhibition mechanism, with K i values of 6.29 µM and 7.02 µM, suggesting allosteric regulation. ADMET analysis indicated good solubility and metabolic stability but limited oral bioavailability due to low gastrointestinal (GI) absorption. These findings highlight glucoerucin and gluconasturtiin as promising natural PTP1B inhibitors, warranting further optimization for therapeutic applications in type 2 diabetes management
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spelling doaj-art-44cec59eee864343b5e7b5a826631aec2025-08-20T03:47:24ZengBMCBMC Chemistry2661-801X2025-06-0119112410.1186/s13065-025-01544-9Watercress-derived glucosinolates as potential allosteric PTP1B inhibitors: a dual in silico and in vitro study on insulin signaling modulationNoha A. Ahmed0Ahmed A. Allam1Hassan A. Rudayni2Fahad M. Alshabrmi3Faris F. Aba Alkhayl4Doaa A. Abdelrheem5Al Mokhtar Lamsabhi6Sarah I. Othman7Emadeldin M. Kamel8Physiology Division, Zoology Department, Faculty of Science, Beni-Suef UniversityDepartment of Biology, College of Science, Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University (IMSIU)Department of Biology, College of Science, Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University (IMSIU)Department of Medical Laboratories, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Qassim UniversityDepartment of Medical Laboratories, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Qassim UniversityDepartment of Biology, College of Science, Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman UniversityDepartamento de Química and Institute for Advanced Research in Chemical Science (IAdChem), Facultad de Ciencias, Módulo 13, Universidad Autónoma de MadridDepartment of Biology, College of Science, Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman UniversityChemistry Department, Faculty of Science, Beni-Suef UniversityAbstract This study investigates the inhibitory potential of four glucosinolates—glucoerucin, glucoiberin, gluconasturtiin, and glucotropaeolin—isolated from watercress (Nasturtium officinale) against Protein Tyrosine Phosphatase 1B (PTP1B), a key regulator of insulin signaling. Molecular docking, molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, and MM/PBSA free energy calculations identified glucoerucin (−17.18 ± 3.51 kcal/mol) and gluconasturtiin (−13.54 ± 1.79 kcal/mol) as the strongest binders, with stable interactions involving Phe280 and Phe196 through π-π stacking. Potential Energy Landscape (PEL) analysis further confirmed that these two compounds occupied the most stable low-energy conformational states, reinforcing their favorable binding to PTP1B. In vitro enzyme inhibition assays provided experimental validation that glucoerucin (IC₅₀ = 6.07 ± 0.69 µM) and gluconasturtiin (IC₅₀ = 7.65 ± 0.45 µM) demonstrated the strongest inhibitory effects, comparable to ursolic acid (IC₅₀ = 7.11 ± 0.95 µM). Enzyme kinetics revealed a non-competitive inhibition mechanism, with K i values of 6.29 µM and 7.02 µM, suggesting allosteric regulation. ADMET analysis indicated good solubility and metabolic stability but limited oral bioavailability due to low gastrointestinal (GI) absorption. These findings highlight glucoerucin and gluconasturtiin as promising natural PTP1B inhibitors, warranting further optimization for therapeutic applications in type 2 diabetes managementhttps://doi.org/10.1186/s13065-025-01544-9WatercressPTP1BGlucosinolatesIn silicoIn vitro
spellingShingle Noha A. Ahmed
Ahmed A. Allam
Hassan A. Rudayni
Fahad M. Alshabrmi
Faris F. Aba Alkhayl
Doaa A. Abdelrheem
Al Mokhtar Lamsabhi
Sarah I. Othman
Emadeldin M. Kamel
Watercress-derived glucosinolates as potential allosteric PTP1B inhibitors: a dual in silico and in vitro study on insulin signaling modulation
BMC Chemistry
Watercress
PTP1B
Glucosinolates
In silico
In vitro
title Watercress-derived glucosinolates as potential allosteric PTP1B inhibitors: a dual in silico and in vitro study on insulin signaling modulation
title_full Watercress-derived glucosinolates as potential allosteric PTP1B inhibitors: a dual in silico and in vitro study on insulin signaling modulation
title_fullStr Watercress-derived glucosinolates as potential allosteric PTP1B inhibitors: a dual in silico and in vitro study on insulin signaling modulation
title_full_unstemmed Watercress-derived glucosinolates as potential allosteric PTP1B inhibitors: a dual in silico and in vitro study on insulin signaling modulation
title_short Watercress-derived glucosinolates as potential allosteric PTP1B inhibitors: a dual in silico and in vitro study on insulin signaling modulation
title_sort watercress derived glucosinolates as potential allosteric ptp1b inhibitors a dual in silico and in vitro study on insulin signaling modulation
topic Watercress
PTP1B
Glucosinolates
In silico
In vitro
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s13065-025-01544-9
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