Exploring phytoconstituent for confronting the symptoms of polycystic ovarian syndrome: molecular dynamics simulation, quantum studies, free energy calculations and network analysis approaches

Abstract

Women of the current citizenry are majorly afflicted with gonadal hormonal fluctuations and stress, which play a predominant role in the occurrence and prevalence of PCOS. Synthetic medications under use influence in varietal adverse reactions, hence incorporation of herbs remains a critical part of the therapy. The present study includes selection of phytoconstituents from herbs related to uterine activity and subjection to in silico approach. The constituents were incorporated into a flow of molecular docking, ADMET analysis, toxicity, biological activity prediction, DFT studies, Molecular dynamics, free energy calculations, and network analysis. Three proteins namely Human androgen receptor (2AM9), Human progesterone (1E3K), and Estrogen receptor (1X7R) were selected and used throughout the study. From docking studies, Sarsasapogenin (SAR), β-sitosterol (BES), and Stigmasterol (STI) showed good binding energy interactions with all three proteins, and they also possess ideal drug-likeliness properties with acceptable toxicity profiles. Further analysis by Density functional theory proves they possess considerable intermolecular charge transfer. The insights from Molecular dynamics studies and free energy calculation explain, that Sarsasapogenin (SAR) among the three has strong stability and intermolecular interactions with the findings through network analysis justifying the selection of three proteins. Hence, on the compilation of results, Sarsasapogenin from Asparagus racemosus is determined to be potent and active with all three receptors together that majorly influence in the pathophysiology of the disorder. Further experimental evaluation of SAR in pre-clinical and clinical models would help emphasize the biological activity of the constituent in the management of PCOS.