Network pharmacology and in-silico studies for molecular mechanisms of analgesic, anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic effects of Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal phytoconstituents

Background

Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal, commonly known as ashwagandha, is an Ayurvedic herb belonging to the family Solanaceae.

Objectives

This study aims to explore the analgesic, anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic potential of phytoconstituents of Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal (W. somnifera) by network pharmacology and in-silico docking studies.

Methods

Five major phytoconstituents, namely ashwagandhanolide, quercetin, withaferin A, withanone and withanolide A, were selected for the network pharmacology study. All five phytoconstituents were further evaluated for their binding properties using molecular docking (MD) and simulation tools. The compounds that exhibited significant binding affinities were further studied for pharmacokinetic and toxicity (ADMET) predictions.

Results

The network pharmacology study showed that out of the five selected constituents, withaferin A, withanolide A and quercetin can interact with various inflammation and pain-related genes. In in-silico studies, all five constituents were found to have significant interactions with inflammatory and nociception proteins cyclooxygenases, lipoxygenase, myeloperoxidase and cathepsin B. Further, ADMET studies predicted that all five phytoconstituents could not cross the blood-brain barrier but have high gastrointestinal absorption and bioavailability. Quercetin was predicted to have mutagenic potential and the other three constituents (withaferin A, withanone and withanolide A) were predicted to have immunotoxicity. The MD simulation studies showed that the complexes lipoxygenase_ashwagandhanolide and cathepsin B_ashwagandhanolide exhibit lower RMSD, RMSF, and higher H-bonding, indicating greater stability of ashwagandhanolide with lipoxygenase and cathepsin B.

Conclusion

Ashwagandhanolide, quercetin, withaferin A, withanone, and withanolide A from W. somnifera may show the potential for analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and anti-arthritic activities. These findings provide a foundation for future in-vitro and in-vivo studies to confirm the therapeutic efficacy of these phytoconstituents from W. somnifera.