@article {1278, title = {Network Pharmacology and Molecular Docking Approaches of Astaxanthin (ATX) against Atherosclerosis}, journal = {Pharmacognosy Research}, volume = {16}, year = {2024}, month = {June 2024}, pages = {626-637}, type = {Original Article}, chapter = {626}, abstract = {

Background: Atherosclerosis is an inflammatory disease well known as the leading cause of Cardiovascular Diseases (CVDs). Astaxanthin (ATX) is a reddish pigment that belongs to the family of xanthophylls, which are oxygenated derivatives of carotenoids. Aim: In this study, we aimed to investigate the targets and mechanisms involved in treating atherosclerosis using network pharmacology and molecular approaches. Materials and Methods: The genes targeted by ATX were predicted using Swiss Target Prediction, BATMAN-TCM, and Super-Pred databases, while genes associated with atherosclerosis were retrieved from DigSee, GAD, GeneCards, and OMIM databases. The interactions between ATX and atherosclerosis genes were identified through protein{\textendash}protein interaction analysis, Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment analysis, and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis. Results: The results revealed a total of 240 ATX-related genes and 4,977 atherosclerosis-related genes, with 172 overlapping genes identified. Six core genes were obtained: SRC, AKT1, MAPK3, HDAC1, PIK3R1, and RXRA. These results were further validated through the molecular docking approach, where all six core targets exhibit low binding energy, suggesting strong binding affinity, with PIK3R1 having the best binding affinity among them. Conclusion: Our study provides novel insights into the potential application of ATX in the management of atherosclerosis.

}, keywords = {Astaxanthin, Atherosclerosis, Carotenoids, GO, KEGG, Network pharmacology}, doi = {10.5530/pres.16.3.74}, author = {Anis Zuhaida Mamnun Barizi and Ain Nabila Syahira Shamsol Azman and Muhamad Fikri Shazlan Saad and Muhammad Nazrul Hakim Abdullah and Vuanghao Lim and Yoke Keong Yong} } @article {1171, title = {Alternanthera sessilis: A Review of Literature on the Phytoconstituents, Traditional Usage and Pharmacological Activities of Green and Red Cultivar}, journal = {Pharmacognosy Research}, volume = {15}, year = {2023}, month = {October 2023}, pages = {636-652}, type = {Review Article}, chapter = {636}, abstract = {

The weed Alternanthera sessilis, having Green (ASG) and Red (ASR) cultivars, is a member of the Amaranthaceae. Both cultivars are known to possess high medicinal and nutraceutical values as they are widely utilized in traditional medicine. Populations from various Asian regions commonly consume this medicinal weed as part of diet and as therapeutic agent. In general, both cultivars have been employed for treating a broad range of human ailments including cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, hypertension, and inflammatory disorders such as asthma, bronchitis and hepatitis apart from its administration as a painkiller. Following its ethnomedicinal uses, an attempt was made to review and consolidate the phytochemical constituents of ASG and ASR discovered from previous studies that utilized advanced technologies, respective traditional application among different ethnicities of Asia and their established pharmacological properties. All the information in this study was acquired through a literature search of research databases, namely ScienceDirect, Scopus, PubMed and Google Scholar using keywords such as Alternanthera sessilis, Alternanthera sessilis red, dwarf copperleaf and sessile joyweed. The results of each study were reviewed to identify its relevance and the cultivar that was being investigated. All relevant studies were collected and its subsequent results were reported and discussed to provide insights into the health enhancing qualities of ASG and ASR. Inspection of phytoconstituents in ASG and ASR showed the presence of polyphenol, flavonoid, carotenoid, terpenes and alkaloid with polyphenol being the major chemical group found in both cultivars. It was also revealed that whilst ASR is traditionally consumed in China, Malaysia, Singapore, and Taiwan, indigenous usage of ASG is more common in nations such as Sri Lanka, India, and Indonesia. Both ASG and ASR showed potent anti-oxidant, anti-hyperglycemic, antimicrobial, antifungal and hepatoprotective effects while the anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer and analgesic properties were disclosed in ASG only. Further processing and commercialization of this remedial weed as a product benefiting the wellbeing of humans is recommended as Alternanthera sessilis has high potential to be utilized as a curative agent while being a vital ingredient that can be included in daily consumption.

}, keywords = {Alternanthera sessilis, Dwarf copperleaf, Pharmacological properties, Phytoconstituents, Sessile joyweed}, doi = {10.5530/pres.15.4.067}, author = {Omilla Ragavan and Sze Cheng Chan and Yi En Goh and Vuanghao Lim and Yoke Keong Yong} }