Open Access
Research (Published online: 28-12-2021)
16. In silico molecular docking and in vitro analysis of ethanolic extract Ocimum sanctum Linn.: Inhibitory and apoptotic effects against non-small cell lung cancer
Ulayatul Kustiati, T. S. Dewi Ratih, N. Dwi Aris Agung, Dwi Liliek Kusindarta and Hevi Wihadmadyatami
Veterinary World, 14(12): 3175-3187

Ulayatul Kustiati: Post Graduate Student of Sain Veteriner, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Yogyakarta, 55281, Indonesia.
T. S. Dewi Ratih: Department of Biology, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, and Research center of Smart Molecule of Natural Genetics Resources, Brawijaya University, Indonesia.
N. Dwi Aris Agung: Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Yogyakarta, 55281, Indonesia.
Dwi Liliek Kusindarta: Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Yogyakarta, 55281, Indonesia.
Hevi Wihadmadyatami: Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Yogyakarta, 55281, Indonesia.

doi: www.doi.org/10.14202/vetworld.2021.3175-3187

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Article history: Received: 28-06-2021, Accepted: 01-11-2021, Published online: 28-12-2021

Corresponding author: Hevi Wihadmadyatami

E-mail: heviwihadmadyatami@ugm.ac.id

Citation: Kustiati U, Dewi Ratih TS, Dwi Aris Agung N, Kusindarta DL, Wihadmadyatami H (2021) In silico molecular docking and in vitro analysis of ethanolic extract Ocimum sanctum Linn.: Inhibitory and apoptotic effects against non-small cell lung cancer, Veterinary World, 14(12): 3175-3187.
Abstract

Background and Aim: Lung cancer, especially non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), has been identified as the leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide. The mortality rate from lung cancer has been estimated to be 18.4%. Until now, conventional treatments have not yielded optimal results, thus necessitating an investigation into the use of traditional herbal plants as potential candidates for its treatment. This study aimed to determine the inhibitory and apoptotic activity of the ethanolic extract from Ocimum sanctum Linn. (EEOS) by in silico molecular docking and through in vitro studies using NSCLC cells (A549 cell line).

Materials and Methods: Dried simplicia of Ocimum sanctum was converted into EEOS using the maceration method. Spectrophotometry was then employed to analyze the EEOS compound. The known main active compounds were further analyzed for inhibitory and apoptotic effects on gene signaling using in silico molecular docking involving the downloading of active compounds from PubChem and target proteins from the Protein Data Bank; the active compounds and proteins were then prepared using the Discovery Studio software v. 19.0.0 and the PyRX 0.8 program, interacted with the HEX 8.0.0 program, and visualized with the Discovery Studio Visualizer v. 19.0. Finally, an in vitro analysis was performed using an antiproliferative-cytotoxic test (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazolyl-2)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay in the NSCLC A549 cell line).

Results: The analysis revealed that the active compounds in the ethanolic extract were dominated by quercetin (flavonoids) (47.23% b/b) and eugenol (phenolic) (12.14% b/b). These active compounds interacted with the active sites (residual amino acids) of the αvβ3 integrin, α5β1 integrin, caspase-3, caspase-9, and vascular endothelial growth factor. Hydrogen bonds and Pi-cation and Pi-alkyl interactions were involved in the relationships between the active compounds and the active sites and thus may reveal an antioxidant property of the extract. Furthermore, in vitro analysis showed the inhibitory and antiproliferative effects of the EEOS against non-small cell cancer (A549).

Conclusion: Taken together, our data showed the ability of EEOS as an inhibitor and apoptotic agent for lung cancer; however, further research is needed to determine the exact mechanism of EEOS as an herbal medication.

Keywords: in vitro, lung cancer, molecular docking, Ocimum sanctum.