In silico Analysis of Stigmasterol from Saraca asoca as a Potential Therapeutic Drug Against Alzheimer’s Disease

Abstract Improvements and advances in health care over the past few decades have increased life expectancy and quality of life. However, this has resulted in an increase in non-communicable diseases like dementia, Alzheimer’s Disease (AD), etc. AD most commonly affects the older population, but recent studies reveal that it can also affect people of any age group. As of now, there are no accessible treatments or therapies that reverse the progression of the disease. The few existing medications to treat AD include Donepezil (Aricept), Galantamine (Razadyne) and Rivastigmine (Exelon) provide only temporary relief and come with several side effects like diarrhoea, vomiting, nausea, fatigue, insomnia, loss of appetite, and weight loss. An effective and augmenting therapy with Cholinesterase inhibitors from natural products is gaining popularity among researchers. Plant sterols have been known to play roles in inhibiting proteins implicated in the development of AD. The present study highlights the significance and scope of Stigmasterol, a phytochemical in Saraca asoca in the alleviation of AD. Our study involving the use of QSAR, ADME, molecular interaction, and molecular docking has shown that Stigmasterol has the potential to be developed as a therapeutic drug to curb the progression of AD after thorough validation procedures. Graphical abstract