The Journal of Phytopharmacology 2023; 12(6):341-357 DOI:10.31254/phyto.2023.12601

Research Article

Rosehip Phytochemicals: A Computational Approach for Inhibiting Protein Kinase C Delta in Hepatocellular Carcinoma Treatment

Mudassir Alam¹ , Kashif Abbas² , Mohd Faizan Saifi² , S Mohd. Hasan Abedi² , Mohsin Hussain³ , Sahab Kausar⁴

Mudassir Alam,Kashif Abbas,Mohd Faizan Saifi,S Mohd. Hasan Abedi,Mohsin Hussain,Sahab Kausar

1. Department of Zoology, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, India
2. Department of Zoology, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, India
3. Department of Chemistry, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, India
4. Department of Statistics and Operations Research, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, India

*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.

Received: 29th October, 2023 / Accepted: 22nd December, 2023 / Published : 30th December, 2023

Abstract

Hepatocellular carcinoma is a primary liver cancer that is responsible for a significant number of cancer-related deaths worldwide. The development and progression of hepatocellular carcinoma is a complex process that involves various signalling pathways and molecular mechanisms. One such pathway is the protein kinase C delta pathway, which has been shown to play a critical role in the development and progression of hepatocellular carcinoma. Diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma employs different techniques including use of imaging tools and biomarkers such as alpha-fetoprotein, des-gamma-carboxyprothrombin, Glypican-3, and protein kinase C delta. protein kinase C delta is a member of the protein kinase C family of serine/threonine kinases that regulates various cellular processes, including cell proliferation and differentiation. Inhibition of protein kinase C delta has been proposed as a potential therapeutic strategy for hepatocellular carcinoma. Several protein kinase C delta inhibitors have been developed and tested in preclinical studies, and some have shown promising results in inhibiting hepatocellular carcinoma cell proliferation and inducing apoptosis. Rosehip of various Rosa species are rich in biologically active compound which possess therapeutic properties such as anti-inflammatory, anti-cancerous and hepato-protectant. This study employs various bioinformatic tools to assess molecular, biological, and pharmacological activity of phytochemicals present in rosehip against protein kinase C delta. In order to choose hit compounds, a number of factors are taken into account, including biological activity, binding affinity (docking score), pharmacokinetics, physiochemical characteristics, physicochemical properties, ADME/t properties, and biological activity. Six compounds (quercetin, luteolin, p-coumaric acid, gallic acid, ferulic acid, and caffeine) out of 14 docked compounds matched the requirements. These six phytochemicals might be studied in vitro and in vivo to determine their effectiveness and efficiency.