In silico docking based pharmacological Screening for the hepatoprotective activity Of cucumis melo and cucurbita pepo in Experimental animals.

Abstract

ABSTRACT Background: Cucumis melo and Cucurbita pepo widely utilized vegetable fruit and traditionally claimed for hepatoprotective activity. However, their hepatoprotective molecular mechanisms are not yet elucidated. The current study utilized multiple in silico approaches to identify the mechanisms of action of bioactive phytocompounds of C. melo and C. pepo and potential targets of liver cirrhosis, validated through cytotoxic and hepatoprotective effect of both the herbs in HepG2 cell lines and experimental animals. Firstly, in silico studies viz., gene set enrichment and network analysis, molecular docking and dynamics were employed. Secondly, C. melo and C. pepo extract was subjected to LC-MS analysis and cytotoxicity was performed in HepG2 cell line by MTT assay. Thirdly, hepatoprotective activity of extracts and fractions was evaluated on isoniazid and HFD induced liver cirrhosis in rats & mice. Liver function biomarkers were estimated in blood serum.