Ligand-based virtual screening and molecular docking of two cytotoxic compounds isolated from Papaver lacerum

Abstract

This study revealed that the Papaver lacerum extract strongly inhibited HeLa cell proliferation, resulting in 13% cell viability. As a result of phytochemical studies, one known compound, Tyrosol-1-O-beta-xylopyranosyl-(1 -> 6)-O-beta-glucopyranoside) (I), and one new compound, 5-O-(6-O-alpha-rhamnopyronosyl-beta-glucopyronosyl) mevalonic acid (II), were isolated. Compounds I and II were found to possess a moderate cytotoxic effect with an IC50 of 66.4 mu M (p < 0.0001) and 54 mu M (p < 0.0001), respectively. The ligand-based virtual screening technique was used to reveal the possible molecular target of compounds I and II. The molecular target was identified as protein-tyrosine kinase Syk for compound I, and aldo-keto reductase family-1 for compound II. Molecular docking was used to assess the binding affinity of the compounds with the targets obtained from ligand-based virtual screening.