Withanolides from Withania somnifera as an immunity booster and their therapeutic options against COVID-19. Issue 12 (14th July 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Khanal, Pukar; Chikhale, Rupesh; Dey, Yadu Nandan; Pasha, Ismail; Chand, Sharad; Gurav, Nilambari; Ayyanar, Muniappan; Patil, B. M.; Gurav, Shailendra
• Is Part Of: Journal of biomolecular structure & dynamics. Volume 40:Issue 12(2022)
• Page Start: 5295
• Page End: 5308
• Publication Date: 2022-07-14
• Subjects: Anti-viral -- COVID-19 -- immunomodulator -- withanolides -- Withania somnifera; Biomolecules -- Periodicals; Molecular structure -- Periodicals; Molecular Biology -- Periodicals; Biomechanics -- Periodicals; 572
• DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2020.1869588
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0739-1102

Abstract

Abstract: Traditionally, Withania somnifera is widely used as an immune booster, anti-viral, and for multiple medicinal purposes. The present study investigated the withanolides as an immune booster and anti-viral agents against the coronavirus-19. Withanolides from Withania somnifera were retrieved from the open-source database, their targets were predicted using DIGEP-Pred, and the protein-protein interaction was evaluated. The drug-likeness score and intestinal absorptivity of each compound were also predicted. The network of compounds, proteins, and modulated pathways was constructed using Cytoscape, and docking was performed using autodock4.0, and selected protein-ligand complexes were subjected to 100 ns Molecular Dynamics simulations. The molecular dynamics trajectories were subjected to free energy calculation by the MM-GBSA method. Withanolide_Q was predicted to modulate the highest number of proteins, showed human intestinal absorption, and was predicted for the highest drug-likeness score. Similarly, combined network interaction identified Withanolide_Q to target the highest number of proteins; RAC1 was majorly targeted, and fluid shear stress and atherosclerosis associated pathway were chiefly regulated. Similarly, Withanolide_D and Withanolide_G were predicted to have a better binding affinity with PLpro, Withanolide_M with 3CLpro, and Withanolide_M with spike protein based on binding energy and number of hydrogen bond interactions. MD studies suggested Withanoside_I with the highest binding free energy (ΔGbind -31.56 kcal/mol) as the most promising inhibitor. Among multiple withanolides from W. somnifera, Withanolide_D, Withanolide_G, Withanolide_M, and Withanolide_Q were predicted as the lead hits based on drug-likeness score, modulated proteins, and docking score to boost the immune system and inhibit the COVID-19 infection, which could primarily act against COVID-19. Highlights: Withanolides are immunity boosters. Withanolides are a group of bio-actives with potential anti-viral properties. Withanolide_G, Withanolide_I, and Withanolide_M from Withania somnifera showed the highest binding affinity with PLpro, 3CLpro, and spike protein, respectively. Withanolides from Withania somnifera holds promising anti-viral efficacy against COVID-19. Communicated by Vsevolod Makeev Graphical Abstract: UF0001