Vol. 11, Special Issue 11 (2022)

Author(s):
Ymberzal Koul, Utsav Surati, Gaurav Patel, Jeevan C, Heather Koul and Anmol

Abstract:
The incidence of type 2 diabetes mellitus is tremendously increasing across the globe, especially in India, which is often known as the diabetic capital of the world. As diabetes is a chronic disorder, there is an urgent need to expand the range of effective, safe, and cost-efficient treatments for long-term use. Vascular plants such as Asparagus racemosus, commonly known as Shatavari, provide therapeutic opportunities and a rich source of potential anti-diabetic drugs. In the present study, receptor proteins associated with carbohydrate and lipid metabolism (nuclear receptor ROR alpha, aldo-keto reductase 1 family B10, pancreatic alpha-amylase, alpha 2A adrenergic receptor, and cyclic dependent kinases 4 and 6) were selected and interaction studies were performed with A. racemosus using Autodock Vina 1.5.6 software. Phytosterols present in Shatavari showed a high affinity for RAR-related orphan receptor (-11.0 kcal/mol). Other active components, namely vitamin P, Isoquercetin and miquelianin showed affinity towards aldo-keto reductase family 1 B10 receptor (-9. -7.3, -7.3 kcal/mol, respectively) and pancreatic alpha amylase (-10, -8.5, -8.8 kcal/mol, respectively). Shatavarin I and shatavarin IV, which are the major steroidal saponins, showed affinity for cyclin dependent kinases. Maximum affinity was shown by shatavarin IV towards cyclin dependent kinases 4 and 6 (-9.1 kcal/mol). These phytoconstituents may be isolated and used for preparing anti-diabetic drugs. A variety of aldose reductase inhibitors are already in use for treatment of diabetic complications. The use of pancreatic alpha amylase inhibitors from natural sources could also be a possible way to block absorption of dietary carbohydrates. An insight into multiple underlying pathophysiologic processes will offer a possibility of controlling diabetes and its complications.