Phytochemical profiling and in silico evaluation of Artemisia absinthium compounds targeting Leishmania N-myristoyltransferase: molecular docking, drug-likeness, and toxicity analyses

BackgroundArtemisia absinthium has long been recognized for its therapeutic properties against various diseases. Among these is leishmaniasis, a parasitic infection that remains a global health challenge. Targeting Leishmania N-myristoyltransferase (NMT), a crucial enzyme for parasite survival, repr...

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Main Authors: Farouk Boudou, Amal Belakredar, Alaeddine Berkane, Ahcen Keziz, Huda Alsaeedi, David Cornu, Mikhael Bechelany, Ahmed Barhoum
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2024-11-01
Series:Frontiers in Chemistry
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fchem.2024.1508603/full
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author Farouk Boudou
Amal Belakredar
Alaeddine Berkane
Ahcen Keziz
Huda Alsaeedi
David Cornu
Mikhael Bechelany
Mikhael Bechelany
Ahmed Barhoum
author_facet Farouk Boudou
Amal Belakredar
Alaeddine Berkane
Ahcen Keziz
Huda Alsaeedi
David Cornu
Mikhael Bechelany
Mikhael Bechelany
Ahmed Barhoum
author_sort Farouk Boudou
collection DOAJ
description BackgroundArtemisia absinthium has long been recognized for its therapeutic properties against various diseases. Among these is leishmaniasis, a parasitic infection that remains a global health challenge. Targeting Leishmania N-myristoyltransferase (NMT), a crucial enzyme for parasite survival, represents a promising therapeutic approach. The bioactive compounds in A. absinthium could potentially inhibit NMT and serve as new treatment options for leishmaniasis.AimThis study aims to investigate the phytochemical composition, drug-likeness, and molecular dynamics of A. absinthium bioactive compounds targeting Leishmania NMT, identifying potent inhibitors that could serve as new drug candidates.MethodThe extract of A. absinthium was analyzed using High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC), identifying nine phenolic compounds, with kaempferol (10.72%) and chlorogenic acid (4.43%) being the most abundant. Drug-likeness and toxicity were evaluated using SwissADME and OSIRIS Property Explorer, focusing on adherence to Lipinski’s rule of five and Ghose’s filter. Molecular docking studies were conducted to evaluate the binding affinity of these compounds to NMT. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations were performed to assess the stability and flexibility of the NMT-apigenin complex.ResultsMolecular docking identified apigenin as the most potent NMT inhibitor, with a binding energy of −9.6 kcal/mol, forming significant hydrogen bonds with threonine residues 203 and 189. Drug-likeness analysis revealed that most compounds adhered to Lipinski’s rule of five, indicating favorable pharmacokinetic properties. MD simulations confirmed the stability of the NMT-apigenin complex, with root mean square deviation (RMSD) values of 0.04 nm, root mean square fluctuation (RMSF) values between 0.05 and 0.35 nm, and radius of gyration (Rg) values ranging from 2.24 to 2.30 nm. Normal mode analysis further supported the complex’s stability and flexibility.ConclusionThe findings of this study underscore the potential of Artemisia absinthium compounds, particularly apigenin, as promising candidates for the development of new anti-leishmaniasis drugs. The potent inhibition of Leishmania NMT by apigenin, along with its favorable pharmacokinetic and stability profiles, supports its further exploration in antileishmanial drug development.
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spelling doaj-art-88fc92d846be495fbe91dc6d95146d072025-08-20T02:07:05ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Chemistry2296-26462024-11-011210.3389/fchem.2024.15086031508603Phytochemical profiling and in silico evaluation of Artemisia absinthium compounds targeting Leishmania N-myristoyltransferase: molecular docking, drug-likeness, and toxicity analysesFarouk Boudou0Amal Belakredar1Alaeddine Berkane2Ahcen Keziz3Huda Alsaeedi4David Cornu5Mikhael Bechelany6Mikhael Bechelany7Ahmed Barhoum8Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Djillali Liabes University of Sidi-Bel-Abbes, Sidi-Bel-Abbes, AlgeriaDepartment of Biotechnology, Faculty of Natural Sciences and Life, University of Mostaganem Abdelhamid Ibn Badis, Mostaganem, AlgeriaLaboratory of Chemistry, Synthesis, Properties, and Applications (LCSPA), Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, Dr. Moulay Tahar University of Saida, Saida, AlgeriaPhysics and Chemistry of Materials Lab, Department of Physics, University of M’sila, M’sila, AlgeriaDepartment of Chemistry, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi ArabiaInstitut Européen des Membranes, IEM, UMR-5635, University Montpellier, École Nationale Supérieure de Chimie de Montpellier (ENSCM), Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Montpellier, FranceInstitut Européen des Membranes, IEM, UMR-5635, University Montpellier, École Nationale Supérieure de Chimie de Montpellier (ENSCM), Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Montpellier, FranceFunctional Materials Group, Gulf University for Science and Technology (GUST), Mubarak Al-Abdullah, KuwaitNanoStruc Research Group, Chemistry Department, Faculty of Science, Helwan University, Cairo, EgyptBackgroundArtemisia absinthium has long been recognized for its therapeutic properties against various diseases. Among these is leishmaniasis, a parasitic infection that remains a global health challenge. Targeting Leishmania N-myristoyltransferase (NMT), a crucial enzyme for parasite survival, represents a promising therapeutic approach. The bioactive compounds in A. absinthium could potentially inhibit NMT and serve as new treatment options for leishmaniasis.AimThis study aims to investigate the phytochemical composition, drug-likeness, and molecular dynamics of A. absinthium bioactive compounds targeting Leishmania NMT, identifying potent inhibitors that could serve as new drug candidates.MethodThe extract of A. absinthium was analyzed using High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC), identifying nine phenolic compounds, with kaempferol (10.72%) and chlorogenic acid (4.43%) being the most abundant. Drug-likeness and toxicity were evaluated using SwissADME and OSIRIS Property Explorer, focusing on adherence to Lipinski’s rule of five and Ghose’s filter. Molecular docking studies were conducted to evaluate the binding affinity of these compounds to NMT. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations were performed to assess the stability and flexibility of the NMT-apigenin complex.ResultsMolecular docking identified apigenin as the most potent NMT inhibitor, with a binding energy of −9.6 kcal/mol, forming significant hydrogen bonds with threonine residues 203 and 189. Drug-likeness analysis revealed that most compounds adhered to Lipinski’s rule of five, indicating favorable pharmacokinetic properties. MD simulations confirmed the stability of the NMT-apigenin complex, with root mean square deviation (RMSD) values of 0.04 nm, root mean square fluctuation (RMSF) values between 0.05 and 0.35 nm, and radius of gyration (Rg) values ranging from 2.24 to 2.30 nm. Normal mode analysis further supported the complex’s stability and flexibility.ConclusionThe findings of this study underscore the potential of Artemisia absinthium compounds, particularly apigenin, as promising candidates for the development of new anti-leishmaniasis drugs. The potent inhibition of Leishmania NMT by apigenin, along with its favorable pharmacokinetic and stability profiles, supports its further exploration in antileishmanial drug development.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fchem.2024.1508603/fullArtemisia absinthiumLeishmaniaN-myristoyltransferasemolecular dockingmolecular dynamics
spellingShingle Farouk Boudou
Amal Belakredar
Alaeddine Berkane
Ahcen Keziz
Huda Alsaeedi
David Cornu
Mikhael Bechelany
Mikhael Bechelany
Ahmed Barhoum
Phytochemical profiling and in silico evaluation of Artemisia absinthium compounds targeting Leishmania N-myristoyltransferase: molecular docking, drug-likeness, and toxicity analyses
Frontiers in Chemistry
Artemisia absinthium
Leishmania
N-myristoyltransferase
molecular docking
molecular dynamics
title Phytochemical profiling and in silico evaluation of Artemisia absinthium compounds targeting Leishmania N-myristoyltransferase: molecular docking, drug-likeness, and toxicity analyses
title_full Phytochemical profiling and in silico evaluation of Artemisia absinthium compounds targeting Leishmania N-myristoyltransferase: molecular docking, drug-likeness, and toxicity analyses
title_fullStr Phytochemical profiling and in silico evaluation of Artemisia absinthium compounds targeting Leishmania N-myristoyltransferase: molecular docking, drug-likeness, and toxicity analyses
title_full_unstemmed Phytochemical profiling and in silico evaluation of Artemisia absinthium compounds targeting Leishmania N-myristoyltransferase: molecular docking, drug-likeness, and toxicity analyses
title_short Phytochemical profiling and in silico evaluation of Artemisia absinthium compounds targeting Leishmania N-myristoyltransferase: molecular docking, drug-likeness, and toxicity analyses
title_sort phytochemical profiling and in silico evaluation of artemisia absinthium compounds targeting leishmania n myristoyltransferase molecular docking drug likeness and toxicity analyses
topic Artemisia absinthium
Leishmania
N-myristoyltransferase
molecular docking
molecular dynamics
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fchem.2024.1508603/full
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