DISCOVERING GINKGO BILOBA PHYTOCHEMICALS AS THERAPEUTIC APPROACH FOR PARKINSON’S DISEASE: IN SILICO MOLECULAR DOCKING

Abstract

Parkinson’s disease poses a substantial global healthcare obstacle, particularly due to the increasing number of elderly individuals, impacting the functioning of nerves in the central nervous system. Multiple mechanisms contribute to its development, such as the degeneration of dopaminergic neurons, the activation of microglia and astrocytes, mitochondrial dysfunction inflammation, and oxidative stress. Typical symptoms consist of reduced mobility and involuntary shaking when at rest. Although there is now no cure, many drugs may successfully control the symptoms of Parkinson’s. due to the intricate nature of Parkinson’s, it is crucial to develop innovative therapeutic approaches. It is essential to investigate alternative treatments since the existing drugs for Parkinson’s disease have limits in term of their efficacy and adverse effects. The historical use of traditional medicinal plants in tradition medicine for treating different diseases has generated curiosity about their potential has novel therapeutic agents for Parkinson’s. the study aims to examines the capacity of phytochemicals derived from plant, namely those from Ginkgo biloba a Chinese plant, to interact with crucial proteins linked Parkinson’s, such as DJ-1 (PARK7), using molecular docking methods. The results of this study indicate that phytochemicals derived from Ginkgo biloba, particularly Terpenoids such as Ginkgolides and Bilobalide, have strong affinity for proteins that are important in context of Parkinson’s disease. This suggests a favourable outlook for the development of novel therapeutic strategies. Therefore, this work seeks to evaluate the drug-like characteristics of these phytochemicals by conducting in silico studies with relevant Parkinson’s disease and aimed to explore the possible therapeutic use of phytochemicals in targeting the aberrant expression of DJ-1 in the development of PD.