Targeting diabetic pathways: In silico and in vivo study of bioactive compounds from Jatropha curcas leaf
Abstract
The global burden of diabetes mellitus, a chronic metabolic disorder, is exceptionally high, particularly within Southeast Asia. The limitations and side effects of conventional therapies have driven interest in herbal alternatives such as Jatropha curcas. Utilizing both in silico and in vivo approaches, this research sought to determine how physic nut leaf extracts exert their antidiabetic effects and modulate pathways associated with diabetic microvascular complications. Phytochemicals from physic nut leaves were identified through databases and screened for drug-likeness (Rule of Five), pharmacokinetics, and toxicity. Promising compounds were further analyzed using network pharmacology to examine their roles in diabetes-related signalling pathways. In vivo validation was performed in 25 alloxan-induced diabetic Wistar rats, divided into five groups: control, standard (Metformin), and three extract doses (600, 900, and 1,200 mg/kg body weight), administered for 2 weeks. Outcomes measured included blood glucose levels (pre- and post-treatment) and Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF levels). In silico results highlighted several bioactive compounds, including Jatrophone, Jatrophatrione, and its isomers. The C-1 epimer of Jatrophatrione may modulate diabetes-related pathways, particularly GPCR (G Protein-Coupled Receptors)-associated signalling involving AKT1 (Protein Kinase B alpha), with favourable safety and pharmacokinetic profiles. The in vivo approach showed that…
Read the paper
Related studies
- Metformin as an adjuvant in breast cancer treatment
- Metformin Lysosomal Targeting: A Novel Aspect to Be Investigated for Metformin Repurposing in Neurodegenerative Diseases?
- Aberrant HSF1 signaling activation underlies metformin amelioration of myocardial infarction in mice
- Metformin induces ZFP36 by mTORC1 inhibition in cervical cancer-derived cell lines
- Protein Interaction Network for Identifying Vascular Response of Metformin (Oral Antidiabetic)
- Preventing Long COVID With Metformin
Go deeper in Evidence Hub
Evidence Hub adds a study data sheet (design, sample size, evidence level, key numbers), an AI summary and a chat grounded in the paper's text.