Computational analysis of Ayurvedic herbs to explore their potential role as anti-cervical cancer agents

TL;DR

This study uses computational methods to explore how Ayurvedic herbs may help treat cervical cancer by targeting specific cancer-related pathways.

Contribution

The study identifies Ayurvedic herbs and their bioactive compounds that target cervical cancer pathways using computational analysis.

Findings

Camellia sinensis, Equisetum arvense, and Rosmarinus officinalis show anti-cervical cancer potential.

Bioactive compounds like allicin, apigenin, and mataresinol target cancer pathways such as microRNA and HPV infection.

The findings suggest these compounds could be used to develop safer cervical cancer therapeutics.

Abstract

Cervical cancer is one of the common types of cancer in women. Treatment regimens include use of chemotherapy but it leads to certain side effects thereby creating a need for safer therapeutic options. Ayurveda has a great potential to provide better treatment strategies. In this study, computational approaches have been employed to investigate the molecular mechanism of anti-cervical cancer Ayurvedic herbs. Initially, Ayurvedic plants possessing anti-cervical cancer activities were obtained from literature. Bioactive compounds present in such plants were evaluated for drug-likeliness, biological functions and associations with cancer-related pathways. This resulted in the most promising drug-like bioactive compounds which were found to target cancer pathways like microRNA and proteoglycans, Human papillomavirus infection. Anti-cervical cancer activity possessing herbs derived from the study include Camellia sinensis, Equisetum arvense, Rosmarinus officinalis. Major bioactive compounds extracted from the enlisted herbs that contribute in promoting anti-cervical cancer effects include allicin, apigenin, and mataresinol. Overall, our study has provided insights into the scientific mechanism behind anti-cervical cancer activities of the indigenous herbs of Ayurveda. In addition, this study has also highlighted key bioactive compounds which have a potential in targeting cancer related pathways and thus can further be utilized to devise better therapeutics to cure cervical cancer.

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