In the ever-evolving field of medical science, the synthesis of traditional knowledge and modern technology often leads to breakthroughs that can change the landscape of healthcare. One such advancement has been detailed in the latest issue of ‘Advances in Protein Chemistry and Structural Biology’, where a comprehensive analysis using in silico network pharmacology and molecular docking has validated the efficacy of a Siddha-based poly-herbal formulation named Swasa Kudori Tablet for the treatment of asthma. This groundbreaking study not only highlights the potential of traditional medicines in modern pharmacology but also paves the way for unlocking the druggable phytoconstituents present in these age-old remedies.
Asthma, a chronic inflammatory disorder of the airways, has been a major global health challenge affecting millions of individuals of all ages. Despite considerable advances in asthma management, the quest for more effective and holistic treatment options is still ongoing.
This research conducted by a team of scientists from the Vellore Institute of Technology and the Central Council for Research in Siddha, presents a meticulous screening of active phytoconstituents found in the Swasa Kudori Tablet. The tablet, which draws on traditional Siddha medicine practices, includes potent botanical ingredients such as Calotropis gigantea, Piper nigrum, and Abies webbiana.
By employing state-of-the-art techniques like Molecular Docking Simulation and Network Pharmacology, the research delves deep into the chemical basis of the therapeutic effects purported by Swasa Kudori. Through the Chemical Entities of Biological Interest (ChEBI) database, active compounds from these plants were meticulously extracted and profiled. The research further determined the gene targets of each compound based on their pharmacological activity using the DIGEP-Pred database.
The data-driven approach of this study pinpointed thirty-two gene targets related to the pathophysiology of asthma, thus demonstrating the multi-tiered impact of the phytoconstituents identified within Swasa Kudori. Specifically, the molecular docking validation reinforces the assertion that the compounds engage with the human proteins in ways that could effectively alleviate asthma symptoms.
The research article, DOI: 10.1016/bs.apcsb.2023.07.001, published by Elsevier Inc., is an insightful exposition into how network pharmacology analysis can be utilized to validate and potentially improve upon traditional medicines. The interdisciplinary team, including prominent figures like Sekaran Karthik, Rinku Varghese, Ashwini Karthik, Sasikumar K, M S Shree Devi, P Sathiyarajeswaran, and headed by Prof. George Priya Doss C, has essentially laid down a blueprint for integrating herbal preparations into the modern pharmacological paradigm.
As researchers continue to unravel the molecular intricacies of such tablets, the study carries substantial implications not only for the treatment of asthma but also for the broader spectrum of drug discovery and development. It highlights the synergistic potential between the intricate compositions of natural compounds and the specificity of modern drug action mechanisms.
Given the growing interest in alternative therapies and increasing prevalence of respiratory disorders, particularly in the wake of the recent global pandemic, the research is timely and of paramount importance.
The investigation received its share of challenges, particularly regarding the complexity of the multi-component nature of poly-herbal formulations. However, the meticulous computational approaches and cross-validation methods ensured robustness in the findings presented.
The study sets an important precedent for future research in the field of traditional medicine and its convergence with network pharmacology. With such interdisciplinary studies steering the future of drug discovery, there’s a promising horizon for the development of more effective, natural, and side-effect-free treatment regimes.
The article shedding light on this noteworthy research is comprehensive and meticulously detailed, traversing the journey from Siddha practices to sophisticated molecular dynamics simulations. It stands as an attestant of a significant stride in medical research and heralds a new age in the treatment of asthma through the power of network-based pharmacology.
References
Sekaran Karthik, Rinku Varghese, Ashwini Karthik, Sasikumar K, M S Shree Devi, P Sathiyarajeswaran, George Priya Doss C. (2024). In silico network pharmacology analysis and molecular docking validation of Swasa Kudori tablet for screening druggable phytoconstituents of asthma. Adv Protein Chem Struct Biol, 138, 257-274. DOI: 10.1016/bs.apcsb.2023.07.001
The Chemical Entities of Biological Interest (ChEBI) database.
DIGEP-Pred database for gene target identification.
“The integration of network pharmacology and phytochemistry reveals the Q-markers of efficacy and toxicity of Q-markers in herbal medicines.” Front Pharmacol., 2020.
“Molecular aspects of asthma management: A review of current therapeutic options.” The Journal of Asthma, 2021.
Keywords
1. Swasa Kudori tablet
2. Asthma treatment
3. Network pharmacology
4. Molecular docking
5. Siddha medicine