Potential of Amaranthus tricolor Terpenoids in Managing Obesity by Modulating the PI3K/AKT Pathway: A Network...

Obesity is a condition where disproportionate body fat accumulation, leads to adverse health issues. Amaranthus tricolor is a popularly consumed leafy vegetable with reported therapeutic effects, including anti-inflammatory and hepatoprotective activities. Presently, the potential of terpenoids identified in the leaf extracts of A. tricolor was explored to manage obesity. Initially, the Total Terpenoid Content (TTC) and antioxidant potential of the hexane extract (HE) and methanolic extract (ME) was explored. Since, HE displayed better terpenoid content and antioxidant potential, its Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) chromatogram was used to identify and shortlist the terpenoids (1,2-15,16-Diepoxyhexadecane, α-tocopherol, Chondrillasterol, γ-tocopherol, Neophytadiene, Phytol and Squalene) present in it for in silico analysis. Network Pharmacology approach was utilised to identify hub genes (AKT1, HSP90AA1, PIK3CA, and SRC) of the shortlisted terpenoids. Molecular docking and simulation studies of the hub genes was performed using AutoDock Vina and GROMACS. α-tocopherol, Chondrillasterol and γ-tocopherol were shortlisted as the most promising terpenoids with potential to manage obesity by modulating the PI3K/AKT pathway. The current study highlighted the potential of terpenoids present in A.tricolor to alleviate obesity and provided strong theoretical indications to develop therapeutic interventions using such compounds.