Multi-modal neuroprotection of Argemone mexicana L. against Alzheimer’s disease: In vitro and in silico study

Abstract

Argemone mexicana L. is a medicinal plant, but its impact on Alzheimer's disease (AD) is right now undetermined. We intended to investigate the in-vitro anti-AD potential of leaves and flowers of A. mexicana methanol, ethanol, and ethyl extracts and to identify multi-modal anti-AD phytochemicals by computational approaches. Molecular docking of 196 phytochemicals identified three hit phytochemicals (protoberberine, protopine, and codeine) with higher binding affinity and multi-targeting ability toward AChE, BChE, BACE-1, and GSK-3β. Further MM-GBSA assays confirmed the integrity of these phytochemicals as the hit phytochemicals. However, these phytochemicals demonstrated favorable pharmacokinetics (PK) and drugable properties having no toxicity. Molecular dynamics simulations confirmed the binding strength of the hit phytoconstituents in the active pockets of AChE, BChE, BACE-1, and GSK-3β with multi-targeting inhibitory activities. All the extracts exhibited dose-dependent antioxidant and anti-cholinesterase activities supporting the insilico results in the context of oxidative stress and cholinergic pathways. Our results offer scientific validation of the anti-AD properties of Argemone mexicana L. and identified protoberberine, protopine, and codeine that could be used for the development of multi-modal inhibitors of AChE, BChE, BACE-1, and GSK-3β to combat AD. Additional in vivo validation is recommended to ensure a thorough assessment in the present research.

Keywords

• Argemone mexicana L.
• Alzheimer’s disease
• Phytochemicals
• Acetylcholinesterase
• Butyrylcholinesterase
• β-secretase