EXPLORING THE THERAPEUTIC POTENTIAL OF TABEMAEMONTANA ALTERNIFOLIA BARK FOR LUNG SQUAMOUS CELL CARCINOMA : A NETWORK PHARMACOLOGY STUDY

Abstract

With a high incidence and death rate, squamous cell lung cancer (LUSC) is a serious issue for the world's health. Drug toxicity and medication resistance continue to be major obstacles in the treatment of LUSC. Finding new therapeutic drugs is therefore urgently needed for the management of LUSC. Natural alkaloids, which comes from the Tabernaemontana alternifolia plant of Apocynaceae family, has shown promising anticancer benefits against many cancer forms, including LUSC. Molecular processes of T. alternifolia’s phtochemicals in LUSC haven't been fully understood, yet. In this work, we looked at their potential as a treatment for LUSC by focusing on its molecular targets. To identify the molecular targets and pathways of them for the treatment of LUSC, we undertook network pharmacology analysis. Our in-silico docking studies using AutoDock vina showed that 9-methoxycamptothecin, camptothecin and heyneanine can reduce LUSC cell growth and trigger apoptosis. Importantly, they suppressed genes related to proliferation, angiogenesis, DNA repair, and cell cycle control. They also prevented the expression of important oncogenic factors such as MMPs, KDR and MET, etc. These findings imply that several molecular pathways can be targeted by T. alternifolia’s phtochemicals to treat LUSC. The molecular mechanisms underpinning their anticancer actions in LUSC are significantly clarified by this work. New therapeutic approaches for the treatment of LUSC may be developed as a result of these findings. To validate the safety and effectiveness of T. alternifolia’s phtochemicals as a possible treatment drug for LUSC, more preclinical and clinical trials are required.