In silico annotation of FH protein involved in Uterine Fibroids and testing the efficacy of Fraxinus americana as a potential therapeutic agent based on Docking studies

Abstract

Uterine fibroids are the women specific benign tumours also termed as uterine leiomyoma’s. These fibroids are affecting more than 80% of the women in the current generation. Most of the cases may go unnoticed and can also subside by themselves with the age of an individual. Thus in majority of the cases, they remain unidentified. Major concern rises when they become troublesome leading to menstrual disturbances or cause infertility. Further the treatment to these fibroids completely depends on the use of hormonal medications or surgery both of which are non-ideal and cause several side effects. In view of the various causes involved in fibroid onset and a strong need for the development of suitable therapy, the current work aims to identify and analyse one of the vital proteins involved in the development of these benign tumours. Fumarate hydratase is one such protein known to have key influence in the onset of fibroids. Thus FH (Fumarate Hydratase) protein was annotated structurally and functionally followed by the identification of hot spot regions within the protein. These regions are considered to be the potential targets for docking studies with the drug. The work also involves the analysis of phytochemicals from an important medicinal plant Fraxinus americana, a medicinal herb with potential antitumor activity. Docking studies were performed with the FH receptor and the compounds of the selected. The study aims to propose a better alternative to the current therapies that are based on chemicals or surgery.