In vitro and in silico investigations of Propolis-derived phytochemicals as potential inhibitors of Plasmodium falciparum

Khan, Dhrubo Ahmed and Hasan, Md Nazmul and Boonhok, Rachasak and Sungkanu, Suthinee and Singhaboot, Yutatirat and Shorna, Afsana Amin and Hasan, Anamul and Chotivanich, Kesinee T. and Wilairatana, Polrat and Siyadatpanah, Seyed Abolghasem and Norouzi, Roghayeh and Sama-Ae, Imran and Mitsuwan, Watcharapong and Paul, Alok K. and De-Lourdes-Pereira, Maria and Saravanabhavan, Shanmuga Sundar and Mahboob, Tooba and Wiart, C. and Labana, Ryan V. and Chimplee, Siriphorn and Nissapatorn, Veeranoot (2025) In vitro and in silico investigations of Propolis-derived phytochemicals as potential inhibitors of Plasmodium falciparum. Veterinary World, 18 (6). 1644 - 1659. ISSN 22310916; 09728988

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Abstract

Background and Aim: Malaria continues to pose a global health challenge, exacerbated by the emergence of drug-resistant strains of Plasmodium falciparum. This study aimed to evaluate the anti-Plasmodium potential of Propolis extracts collected from various Iranian regions and to characterize the molecular interactions of their bioactive phytochemicals with P. falciparum lactate dehydrogenase (PfLDH), a key enzyme in parasite glycolysis. Materials and Methods: The anti-Plasmodium activity of ethanol-extracted Propolis was assessed against P. falciparum NF54 using the SYBR Green I fluorescence assay. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis identified major phytochemicals in the most active extract. Molecular docking and 100-ns molecular dynamic (MD) simulations were performed to evaluate the binding affinity and stability of selected compounds (tectochrysin and galangin) against PfLDH in both holo (Protein Data Bank [PDB] ID: 1LDG) and apo (PDB ID: 2X8L) forms. Results: Propolis collected from Kermanshah city exhibited the highest anti-Plasmodium activity (IC50 = 6.69 ± 1.44 μg/mL). GC-MS analysis identified tectochrysin and galangin as major constituents. Molecular docking revealed strong binding affinities of tectochrysin (−7.8 kcal/mol) and galangin (−7.5 kcal/mol) to PfLDH, surpassing the binding energies of standard antimalarial drugs (chloroquine and quinine). MD simulations confirmed the stability of tectochrysin and galangin within the PfLDH active sites, with favorable RMSD, RMSF, RoG, SASA, MSA, and PSA profiles, indicating persistent protein-ligand interactions. Conclusion: The findings support the promising anti-Plasmodium potential of Propolis-derived compounds, particularly tectochrysin and galangin, as novel PfLDH inhibitors. Their applicability in transdisciplinary anti-parasitic therapy warrants further in vivo validation. © 2025 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.

Item Type: Article
Additional Information: Cited by: 2
Uncontrolled Keywords: artesunate; chloroquine; coumarin; flavonoid; galangin; lactate dehydrogenase; lignan; phytochemical; proguanil; propolis; propolis extract; Propolis-derived phytochemical; quinine; stilbene; tectochrysin; terpene; unclassified drug; animal cell; antiplasmodial activity; Article; binding affinity; chemical composition; controlled study; drug sensitivity; flow rate; fluorescence analysis; fluorescence intensity; gas chromatography; glycolysis; hydrogen bond; malaria; mass fragmentography; molecular docking; molecular dynamics; nonhuman; parasite; parasitemia; phytochemistry; Plasmodium falciparum; root mean squared error
Subjects: Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology > Physiology
Divisions: Engineering and Technology > Vinayaka Mission's Kirupananda Variyar Engineering College, Salem > Pharmaceutical Biotechnology
Depositing User: Unnamed user with email techsupport@mosys.org
Date Deposited: 26 Nov 2025 10:31
Last Modified: 26 Nov 2025 10:31
URI: https://vmuir.mosys.org/id/eprint/155

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