Home | Lagundi (Vitex negundo) and Psoriasis: Network Visualization Study on Phytochemical-Protein Interaction Networks

Lagundi (Vitex negundo) and Psoriasis: Network Visualization Study on Phytochemical-Protein Interaction Networks

Abstract

The medical field is advancing alongside technological developments. A notable area of progress is the exploration of phytochemical-protein interactions, which hold significant potential for therapeutic applications.

Despite these advancements, there exists a noticeable dearth of comprehensive research on the use of medicinal plants, particularly Vitex negundo or Lagundi, to treat psoriasis—a chronic inflammatory skin condition affecting millions worldwide.

To address this research gap, this study adapts a scientifically validated in silico methodology, following the 5-step workflow by Briones et al. (2021).

A multitude of intricate interactions among immune cells, inflammatory mediators, and skin cells contribute to the progression of this disorder. The results from this investigation reveal no significant difference between the Lagundi PCPI and the tested drugs concerning the four critical drug properties under evaluation. Consequently, the researchers failed to reject the null hypothesis, indicating that Lagundi PCPI demonstrates comparable efficacy to the existing drugs exhibiting inhibitory effects against psoriasis. The study's findings could lead to new psoriasis treatments targeting COX-2.

Data collected include bioavailability, gastrointestinal absorption, lipophilicity, and docking scores. The findings of this study highlight that PTGS2, accounting for the majority of interactions within the TNF pathway, exhibits approximately 15 ligand interactions. However, it is noteworthy that PTGS2 appears to function independently, as no protein-protein interactions (PPIs) were observed with other proteins within the pathway. This supports the notion that COX-2 plays a multifaceted role in the complex pathogenesis of psoriasis, although it is crucial to acknowledge that COX-2 is not the sole determinant of disease progression.

Keywords: Vitex negundo, psoriasis, in silico, molecular docking, COX-2, TNF-pathway