Identification of potential anticancer phytochemicals against colorectal cancer by structure-based docking studies

Samar Salam Qawoogha1, Aliasgar Shahiwala1

  • 1Dubai Pharmacy College for Girls, Dubai, UAE.

Insights

This study screened phytochemicals for colorectal cancer (CRC) treatment. Yuanhuanin, Theaflavin, and Genistein showed the highest binding affinity to VEGFR and EGFR receptors, indicating potential therapeutic value.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Computational Chemistry
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a global health concern, necessitating novel therapeutic strategies.
  • Molecular docking is a crucial technique in drug discovery for identifying potential drug targets and understanding ligand-protein interactions.
  • Structure-based drug design relies on atomic-level visualization of these interactions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the binding affinities of selected phytochemicals with potential anticancer activities against VEGFR and EGFR receptors.
  • To identify promising compounds for further investigation in colorectal cancer treatment.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized molecular docking to assess ligand-protein interactions.
  • Obtained 3D structures of VEGFR and EGFR receptors from the Protein Data Bank.
  • Employed UCSF Chimera software with the AutoDock Vina tool for docking simulations.

Main Results:

  • Screened 18 compounds for their binding affinities.
  • Identified Yuanhuanin, Theaflavin, and Genistein as compounds with the highest binding energies to the target receptors.
  • These compounds demonstrated significant potential for interaction with VEGFR and EGFR.

Conclusions:

  • Yuanhuanin, Theaflavin, and Genistein exhibit promising binding affinities, suggesting their potential as therapeutic agents for colorectal cancer.
  • Further in-depth evaluation is recommended to explore their utility in CRC treatment, management, and prevention.