Ursolic Acid and Solasodine as Potent Anti-Mycobacterial Agents for Combating <i>Paratuberculosis</i>: An Anti-Inflammatory and In Silico Analysis

Abstract

Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (MAP) infection in domestic livestock causes persistent diarrhea, weight loss, and death and is also a potential cause of Crohn’s disease (CD) in humans; notably, treatments against MAP are insufficient, costly, and can cause adverse reactions. Hence, plant-derived bioactive constituents have been taken into consideration in this regard. Herein, we present the results of two bioactive constituents (Solasodine and Ursolic acid) that were evaluated for their safety and efficacy against MAP protein (Dephospho-Coenzyme A kinase (DPCK) by utilizing in vitro assays and different tools of in silico biology. The ADME/t-test, the drug-likeness property test, pharmacophore modelling, and PASS prediction have proven that both the constituents have better binding capacities than the available antibiotic drugs used to target protein inhibition pathways. Through our observations, it can be inferred that these two phytochemicals can be adequately used to treat paratuberculosis, thereby combating inflammatory bowel disorders (IBD) of an autoimmune nature.

Keywords

• Crohn’s disease
• Dephospho-Coenzyme A kinase (DPCK) protein
• in silico
• <i>Mycobacterium avium</i> subspecies <i>paratuberculosis</i> (MAP)
• REMA assay
• solasodine