In-Silico Investigation and ADMET Prediction of Potential Antihyperpigmentation Phytochemicals against Tyrosinase Inhibitors

 

Shital S. Dange1, Pooja M. Chopade1, Pranali R. Mane1, Snehal A. Kakde1, Pratiksha Y. Parit1, Vaishnavi G. Latthe1, Shalini A. Shinde1*, Akash R. Thombre2*, Dhanraj R. Jadge1

1Womens College of Pharmacy, Peth-Vadgaon 416112, India.

2Ashokrao Mane Institute of Pharmacy, Ambap 416112, India.

*Corresponding Author E-mail: ms.shalinishinde177@gmail.com

 

ABSTRACT:

Hyperpigmentation refers to skin conditions involving discoloration, darkening, and changes in pigmentation, including melasma, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, ephelides, and lentigines. Melasma, a common acquired hypermelanosis, causes irregular light to dark brown or gray-brown patches on sun-exposed skin and affects around 80% of Indian women. It occurs due to excessive melanin production, which is made through melanogenesis. When melanin builds up in epithelial cells, it’s called melanosis. Epidermal melanosis occurs with normal melanocyte numbers but excess melanin in the upper skin layer. In contrast, dermal melanosis involves melanin in the dermis, between collagen bundles. A molecular docking and ADMET study was conducted using the human tyrosinase protein and 50 phytochemicals that have the potential for antihyperpigmentation in drug discovery. The protein structure was obtained and processed with Biovia Discovery Studio, while phytochemical structures were generated using Open Babel and VConf from NCBI PubChem. Docking was done with PyRx and AutodockVina, and ADMET properties were analyzed using SwissADME and pkCMS. 18-Beta Glycyrrhetinic acid showed the highest binding affinity, with potential anti-hyperpigmentation activity, low toxicity, and good tissue absorption, suggesting it could be a promising candidate for further in vitro studies and antihyperpigmentation drug development.

 

KEYWORDS: Antihyperpigmentation, Molecular Docking, ADMET 7rk7, Tyrosinase enzyme, Drug likeness properties.

 

 


INTRODUCTION:

Facial hyperpigmentation is a general term that refers to an increased concentration of melanin in the epidermis, dermis, or both.1 This condition can result from various factors and may present as a localized issue or as part of a broader, systemic disorder. Hyperpigmentation can be acquired, congenital, or inherited.2

 

Melasma, derived from the Greek word melas, meaning "black," is also known as chloasma or the "mask of pregnancy." It is characterized by irregular hypermelanosis of the face and neck, appearing as light to dark brown patches, occasionally with an ashen gray-brown hue. While melasma is the most prevalent cause of facial pigmentation, other types include ashy dermatosis, Riehl’s melanosis, poikiloderma of Civatte, erythrosis peribuccale of Brock, as well as drug-induced and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.3

 

Human skin tones range from dark brown to nearly colorless, with some shades appearing reddish due to the blood beneath the skin. The primary factor determining skin color is the type and amount of melanin, the pigment responsible for coloration. Skin color variation is predominantly genetic.4 Many societies attach social value to skin color differences, often linking them to historical political and economic divisions. In countries like India, individuals with certain skin discolorations may face social isolation, partly due to associations with diseases like leprosy.5

 

Skin tone differences are among the most noticeable traits in human populations, historically influencing racial classification through color terminology. For practical purposes, such as determining sun exposure time for tanning, Fitzpatrick’s classification identifies six skin types, arranged from lightest to darkest.6

 

Melanin production is a complex process involved in inflammation, sun protection, and other biological functions. Melanocytes, in collaboration with the enzyme tyrosinase, produce and convert dopa into melanin. This pigment is stored in melanosomes, which are absorbed by keratinocytes and eventually shed along with the outer skin layer (stratum corneum). Factors influencing melanin production and skin color include not only keratinocytes but also Langerhans cells, mast cells, and potentially lymphocytes.7

 

Effective treatment of pigment disorders focuses on modulating melanin production while addressing other underlying skin conditions. Hyperpigmentation treatments aim to accelerate epidermal turnover to remove surface pigment (using glycolic acid, salicylic acid, and lactic acid), enhance melanosome transfer, and suppress tyrosinase activity (with tretinoin). Other approaches include slowing melanocyte proliferation, reducing their secretory activity, managing inflammation (using corticosteroids), and inhibiting tyrosinase to decrease melanin synthesis (with hydroquinone).8,9,10

 

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

Protein Preparation:

The previously reported 3D crystal structure of the enzyme tyrosine kinase for hyperpigmentation with PDB Id 7RK7, having resolution 1.98, was downloaded from the online RCSB protein data bank (https://www.rcsb.org/). The downloaded protein structure was cleaned by removing all the water molecules and previously bound ligand groups. Further, the cleaned protein structure was protonated by adding polar hydrogen to define the amino acids' correct ionization and tautomeric states. The protein cleaning and preparation protocol was carried out using BIOVIA Discovery Studio Visualizer.  

 

Active Site Preparation:

It was projected that the 7RK7 active site will be found in literature, Discovery Studio, and the PDB. To guarantee that the target protein binding site is covered by the grid box configuration in the PyRx software, the correct predicted amino acid residue must be chosen. After that, it was discovered that the study's resolved centre point was X: -22.8087, Y:-55.7715, Z: 0.1212 with dimensions (Angstrom) of X: 25, Y: 25, Z: 25.

 

Ligand Preparation:

The structures and smiles of over 50 phytoconstituents were downloaded from the IMPPAT and PubChem databases. The downloaded phytoconstituents are prepared in Discovery Studio by removing heteroatoms and adding polar hydrogen atoms and saved in PDB format. The prepared phytoconstituents were subjected to molecular docking.

 

Molecular Docking Simulations:

Molecular docking of prepared phytoconstituents and tyrosine kinase (PDB: 7RK7) was done to determine binding affinity and interaction between them. PyRx 0.8 was used to carry out molecular docking. The proteins and phytoconstituents structures were imported into the PyRx program. Using Opel Babel plug in of PyRx, the structure of the flavonoids was converted to PDBQT format, and further the energy minimization of all the selected structures of phytoconstituents were done and converted as AutoDock ligand files With the following dimensions: X: 45.5873616028 Å, Y: 60.0910002518 Å, Z: 58.2694099617 Å, and center X: 4.011, Y: -13.3762, Z: 3.5934, the grid box was chosen using Vina workspace to cover the binding site residues. Eight was the default setting for exhaustiveness. Concerning the chosen target protein (PDB: 4XG6), nine distinct conformations were anticipated for every ligand structure. Each ligand's optimal posture with the lowest binding affinity was chosen. We used BIOVIA Discovery Studio 2020 to display and evaluate docking interactions.

 

Theoretical Prediction of ADMET Parameters:

The top-ranked compounds were exported in SMILES format from the docking simulation to SwissADME and the pkCMS web server for toxicity and bioavailability prediction techniques like Lipinski's rule of 5. SwissADME and pkCMS are free online tools for predicting the pharmacokinetics, drug-likeness, and medicinal chemistry friendliness of small compounds (http://biosig.unimelb.edu.au/pkcsm/prediction) (Daina et al., 2017; Pires et al., 2015). The importance and typical range of the ADMET parameters chosen for this investigation.

 

RESULT AND DISCUSSION:

Molecular Docking Simulation:

To find novel Tyrosinase inhibitors from natural sources, molecular docking experiments were conducted. The outcome suggests that some naturally occurring substances have higher binding energies than the common medications. The table below lists the binding energies and interacting residues of the 50 compounds with common antihyperpigmentation medications. The investigation demonstrated the 3D and 2D structures of 18-beta Glycyrrhetinic acid in association with the 7rk7 protein. The picture also depicts the interaction between 18 Beta Glycyrrhetinic Acid and the ATP-binding site of 7RK7. The binding activity and ligand-protein interaction of 18 Beta Glycyrrhetinic Acid, Muberrofurnon, Artonin M, Liquiritin, Kuwanon T, Kuwanon G, Kuwanon L are also better. The interactions of the first two phytochemicals having higher binding affinity are shown in Figures 1 to 5, respectively.


 

 

 

 

 

Table 1: Docking and Interactions of 50 Phytochemicals against Tyrosinase Inhibitors    

Sr.No.

Pubchem ID

Binding Affinity (kcal/mol)

Interacting Residue        

Type of Interaction

1

14982

 -10.8

CYSE:180, SERD:88, LEUD:87, VALD:169, SERD:177, LYSD:119, CYSD:168, PROD:47, THRE:181, LEUE:166, LEUE:199, GLNE:184, GLUE:165, TYRE:224, HISE:14

Van dar Waal

SERD:48, VALE:164, TRPE:119, ASPE:162, PROE:183, ASPE:182, THRD:90, VALD:118

Conventional Hydrogen Bond

PROE:185,

Carbon Hydrogen Bond

2

5281667

 -10.3

SERE:91, VALE:92, THER:90, THRE:121, HISE:163, TYRE:197, SERD:48, TYRD:94, HLYE:46, LYSD:115, GLNE:184, ASPE:42

Van dar Waal

GLNE:41, LYSD:112

Conventional Hydrogen Bond

PROE:183

Unfavorable Acceptor-Acceptor

ASPE:162

Pi-Anion

ALAD:91

Pi-Donor Hydrogen Bond

PHED:46

Amide-Pi Stacked

3

9959532

 -10.2

LEUE:120, HISE:163, TRPE:119, PROE:161, VALE:92, ASPE:42, PROD:47, SERD:48, PHED:46, PHEE:94, GLND:45, GLNE:184, LYSE:187

Van dar Waal

ASPE:162, GLND:49, THRE:121

Conventional Hydrogen Bond

SERE:91

Carbon Hydrogen Bond

 

Unfavorable Donor-Donor

PROE:43

Pi-Donor Hydrogen Bond

THRE:90

Pi-Sigma

PROE:185

Alkyl

TYRE:197

Pi-Alkyl

4

44258661

 -10.0

LYSE:57, VALE:56, ASPE:58, GLYE:55, GLYD:103, GLNE:105, TYRE:35, ALAA:69, ARGE:34, GLNA:72, ARGA:75, SERA:71

Van der Waal

LYSA:68

Pi-Cation

TYRE:54

Pi-Sigma

ARGA:65

Alkyl

ARGA:65

Pi-Alkyl

5.

503737

 -9.9

THRA:31, GLNA:32, LEUB:66, TYRB:27, GLUA:232, SERB:58, LYSB:59

Van dar Waal

SERB:53, TYRA:27, ASPA:30

Conventional Hydrogen Bond

ARGA:6

Unfavorable Acceptor-Acceptor

TYRB:64

Pi-Donor Hydrogen Bond

PHEA:241

Pi-Pi T-Shaped

PROA:235

Pi-Alkyl

6

184877

 -9.9

THRE:90, ASPE:162, HISE:163, LEUE:120, SERE:91, LYSD:115, THRD:90, PHED:46, GLND:45, GLND:49, PHEE:94, SERD:48, VALE:92, ASPE:42, GLNE:41

Van dar Waal

GLNE:184, TYRE:197, THRE:121

Conventional Hydrogen Bond

ALAD:91

Carbon Hydrogen Bond

VALD:92, PROE:43

Pi-Sigma

TRPE:119

Pi-Pi Stacked

PROD:47

Alkyl

PROD:47

Pi-Alkyl

7

15231527

 -9.8

ASPE:58, ARGA:65, GLYD:102, SERA:71, SERA:38, PROA:20, GLNA:43

Van dar Waal

GLYD:103, TYRE:35, LYSA:68, ARGA:75, ARGE:34, GLUA:19

Conventional Hydrogen Bond

GLND:105, GLNA:72

Unfavorable Donor-Donor

TYRE:54

Pi-Pi Stacked

ALAA:69

Alkyl

8

102004551

 -9.8

ASPE:60, GLND:105, GLYD:103, TYRE:35, ALAA:69, GLNA:72, SERA:71, PROA:20, SERA:38, A SPA:39, GLNA:43, GLYE:55, ASPE:58

Van dar Waal

LYSA:68, ARGA:75

Conventional Hydrogen Bond

GLUA:19

Pi-Anion

ARGA:65, TYRE:54

Alkyl

VALE:56

Pi-Alkyl

9

10740797

 -9.5

VALE:56, GLYE:55, ASPE:58, TYRE:54, ALAA:69, TYRE:35, ARGE:34, GLNA:72, PROA:20, PROA:20, PHEA:22, SERA38, ASPA:39, GLNA:43

Van der Waal

SERA:71

Conventional Hydrogen Bond

GLUA:19

Pi-Anion

LYSA:68

Pi-Alkyl

10

5481969

 -9.5

ASPE:42, GLYE:44, GLYE:46, TYRD:94, GLND:45, PHED:46, ALAD:91, LYSD:115

Van der Waal

LYSD:112, SERD:48

Conventional Hydrogen Bond

GLNE:41

Carbon Hydrogen Bond

PROD:47

Pi-Donor Hydrogen Bond

VALD:92

Alkyl

VALD:92

Pi-Alkyl

11

15224382

 -9.4

ASPA:238, THRA:31, GLYA:239, GLNA:32, ARGA:48, ASPB:54, TYRB:68, LEUB:66, TYRB:27,

Van dar Waal

ASPA:30, SERB:53

Conventional Hydrogen Bond

TYRA:27, TYRB:64

Pi-Donor Hydrogen Bond

PHEA:241

Pi-Pi T-Shaped

PROA:241

Pi-Alkyl

12.

71597391

 -9.3

PROD:120, LYSD:119, CYSD:168, LYSD:167, LEUD:87, VALD:169, LEUD:170, CYSE:180, VALE:179, PROD:47, THRE:181, PROE:183, THRD:90, LYSD:115.

Van der Waal

VALD:118, SERD:117

Conventional Hydrogen Bond

13.

6427349

 -9.2

GLND:49, ARGD:52, SERD:88, THRD:90, LEUD:87, VALD:169, VALD:118, SERD:117, SERD:150, LYSD:119, PROD:120, LYSD:167, CYSE:180, CYSD:168, PROE:183

Van der Waal

PHED:46

Pi-Sigma

PROD:47

Alkyl

PROD:47

Pi-Alkyl

14.

44258296

 -9.1

GLNA:43, PHEA:36, SERA:71, ASPE:58, GLNA:72, GLYE:55, VALE:56, ARGE:34, THRE:75, GLND:105, GLYD:102

Van dar Waal

TYRE:35

Conventional Hydrogen Bond

GLYD:103

Carbon Hydrogen Bond

TYRE:54

Pi-Pi Stacked

ARGA:65, ALAA:69, LYSA:68

Pi-Alkyl

15.

12302182

 -9.0

GLND:49, ARGD:52, SERD:88, THRD:90, LEUD:87, VALD:169, VALD:118, SERD:117, SERD:150, LYSD:119, PROD:120, LYSD:167, CYSE:180, CYSD:168, PROE:183

Van der Waal

PHED:46

Pi-Sigma

PROD:47

Alkyl

PROD:47

Pi-Alkyl

16.

1203

 -8.8

SERA:38, GLUA:19, SERA:71, ASPE:58, ARGA:65, TYRE:35, GLYE:55, GLNA:72, ARGA:75

Van der Waal

GLND:105

Conventional Hydrogen Bond

GLYD:103

Carbon Hydrogen Bond

ARGE:34

Unfavorable Donor-Donor

TYRE:54

Pi-Pi Stacked

LYSA:68, ALAA:69

Pi-Alkyl

17.

122850

 -8.8

GLUA:19, SERA:71, ARGA:65, GLYD:103, GLND:105, GLYD:102

Van der Waal

ASPE:58, LYSA:68, GLNA:72, TYRE:35

Conventional Hydrogen Bond

ARGA:75

Unfavorable Donor-Donor

TYRE:54

Pi-Pi Stacked

ARGE:34, ALAA:69

Pi-Alkyl

18.

10208

 -8.8

LYSA:68, TYRE:35

Conventional Hydrogen Bond

ASPE:58

Unfavorable Acceptor-Acceptor

TYRE:54

Pi-Pi Stacked

ALAA:69

Alkyl

ARGA:65, ARGE:34

Pi-Alkyl

19.

5280343

-8.8

GLUA:19, ARGA:75, SERA:71, GLND:105, ASPE:58, LYSA:68

Conventional Hydrogen Bond

GLYD:103

Unfavorable Donor-Donor

GLNA:34

Pi-Sigma

TYRE:54

Pi-Pi Stacked

ARGE:34

Pi-Alkyl

20.

5281717

 -8.8

TYRE:35, GLND:105, GLYD:102, GLYD:103, ASPE:58, ARGA:65, SERA:71, ARGA:75, GLUA:19

Van dar Waal

GLNA:72

Conventional Hydrogen Bond

TYRE:54

Pi-Pi T-Shaped

LYSA:68, ALAA:69, ARGE:34

Pi-Alkyl

21.

548970

 -8.7

GLYE:55, ASPE:58, ARGA:65, GLYD:103, GLND:105, GLNA:72, GLUA:19

Van der Waal

TYRE:35, SERA:71

Conventional Hydrogen Bond

ALAA:69

Carbon Hydrogen Bond

ARGE:34

Unfavorable Donor-Donor

ARGA:75

Pi-Cation

TYRE:54

Pi-Pi Stacked

LYSA:68

Pi-Alkyl

22.

44258302

 -8.7

DPHE:46, DLYS:115, DGLN:45, DALA:91, DTYR:94, EGLY:46, DILE:15, EGLY:44, EPRO:43, EASP:42, EVAL:92

Van der Waal

DSER:48

 

EGLN:41

Carbon Hydrogen Bond

DPRO:47

Pi-Donor Hydrogen Bond

DVAL:92

Alkyl Conventional Hydrogen Bond

DLYS:112, ETRP:119

Pi-Alkyl

23.

5280863

 -8.7

GLUA:19, LYSA:68, ASPE:58, GLND:105, TYRE:35

Conventional Hydrogen Bond

ARGE:34, GLYD:103

Unfavorable Donor-Donor

TYRE:54

Pi-Pi Stacked

ALAA:69

Pi-Alkyl

24.

10207

-8.6

VALE:56, TYRE:35, GLND:105

Conventional Hydrogen Bond

ARGA:65

Carbon Hydrogen Bond

LYSA:68

Unfavorable Donor-Donor

ASPE:58

Unfavorable Acceptor-Acceptor

TYRE:54

Pi-Donor Hydrogen Bond

GLYE:55

Pi-Sigma

ALAA:69

Pi-Pi Stacked

ARGE:34

Pi-Alkyl

25

5319924

 -8.5

ASPA:30, GLNA:32, GLYA:239, THRA:31, THRA:128, SERB:56, ASPB:54, LEUB:65

Van dar Waal

TYRB:64, TYRA:27, ARGA:48

Conventional Hydrogen Bond

SERB:53

Pi-Donor Hydrogen Bond

ALAA:49, TRPA:51, PROA:50

Alkyl

PHEA:241, PROA:235, LEUB:66

Pi-Alkyl

26.

222284

 -8.3

PHED:46, GLND:47, SERD:48, PROD:47, GLNE:184, SERE:91, TRPE:119, HISE:163, ASPE:162, THRE:90, THRE:121, PROE:43, ASPE:42, GLNE:41, PHEE:94

Van der Waal

GLND:49

Conventional Hydrogen Bond

 

Unfavorable Donor-Donor

PROE:161, PHEE:160

Alkyl

VALE:92, TYRE:197

Pi-Alkyl

27.

5281671

 -8.2

HISE:45, ARGE:48, ARGE:40, SERE:88, SERE:87, LYSE:187, ASPE:194, THRE:121, LEUE:120, HISE:163, TPRE:119, VALE:92, SERE:91, PROE:43

Van dar Waal

THRE:90, ASNE:193, TYRE:197

Conventional Hydrogen Bond

ASPE:42

Pi-Anion

THRE:193

Pi-Sigma

28.

5458461

 -8.1

ASPA:238, GLYA:237, GLYA:239, TYRB:68, GLNA:32, ASPA:30, LEUB:65.

Van der Waal

THRA:31

Carbon Hydrogen Bond

TYRA:27, SERB:53

Pi-Donor Hydrogen Bond

LEUB:66

Pi-Pi T-shaped

ARGA:48, PHEB:241

Alkyl

TYRB:64, PROA:235

Pi-Alkyl

29.

62344

 -8.0

ARGA:6, ASPA:30, THRA:31, GLNA:32, LEUB:66

Van der Waal

TYRA:27, TYRB:64

Pi- Donor Hydrogen Bond

PHEA:241

Pi-Pi T- shaped

PROA:235

Alkyl

ALAA:211

Pi- Alkyl

30.

5319892

 -8.0

GLNA:43, GLYE:55, LYSE:57, THRE:75, TYRE:35, GLNA:72, ARGA:75, GLYD:103, GLND:105, GLYD:102, GLUA:19

Van dar Waal

31.

12305761

 -7.9

VALE:56, ASPE:58, GLNA:72, SERA:71

Conventional Hydrogen Bond

ALAA:69, GLUA:19

Carbon Hydrogen Bond

LYSA:68

Pi-Alkyl

32.

160482

 -7.4

TYRE:113, THRE:111

Conventional Hydrogen Bond

GLUE:102

Unfavorable Acceptor-Acceptor

VALD:62, ALAA:149

Alkyl

33.

12760132

 -7.4

TYRE:113, THRE:111

Conventional Hydrogen Bond

VALD:62, ALAA:149

Alkyl

34.

5318998

 -7.3

SERD:48, PHEE:94, SERD:16, ILED:15, LYSD:112, GLYE:46, ALAD:91

Van dar Waal

GLNE:41, TYRD:94

Conventional Hydrogen Bond

VALE:92, TRPE:119

Alkyl

VALD:92, LYSD:115, PROD:47

Pi-Alkyl

35.

14710

 -7.1

LYSE:57, ASPE:58, VALE :56, GLYE:55, ALAA :69, TYRE :35, GLND:105, GLYD:103, GLNA:72, GLUA:19

Van dar Waal

TERE:54

Pi-Pi Stacked

LYSA:68

Alkyl

ARGE:34

Pi-Alkyl

36.

5281426

 -6.6

TRPE:119, PHEE:94, GLNE:41, ASPE:42, PROE:43, GLND:45, PROD:47, PHED:46

Van der Waal

SERD:49, GLND:49

Conventional Hydrogen Bond

VALE:92

Pi-Alkyl

37.

6047

 -6.5

ARGE:34, ARGA:75, TYRE:35, ASPE:58, GLND:105, GLYD:103, ARGA:65

Van der waal

GLNA:72

Conventional hydrogen bond

LYSA:68

Unfavorable Acceptor-Acceptor

LYSA:68

Unfavorable Donor-Donor

TYRE:54

Pi-Pi Stacked

ALAA:69

Pi-Alkyl

38.

5280794

 -6.4

LYSD:61

Conventional Hydrogen Bond

ALAA:149, VALD:62

Alkyl

39.

160190

 -6.3

ASND:107, SERD:104, ASPD:38

Conventional Hydrogen Bond

VALD:97

Carbon Hydrogen Bond

LYSD:10

Unfavorable Donor-Donor

LEUD:99

Pi-Sigma

40

26049

 -5.7

LEUE:203, SERE:177, GLYE:178, METD:172, SERD:174, ARGE:204

Van der Waal

VALE:205, VALE:170

Alkyl

PHEE:209, VALE:175

Pi-Alkyl

41.

93781

 -5.6

GLYD:103, ARGA:65, GLND:105, ALAA:69, GLNA:72, ARGA:75

Van der Waal

TYRE:35

Conventional Hydrogen Bond

TYRE:54

Pi-Sigma

LYSA:68, ARGE:34

Pi-Alkyl

42.

7213

 -5.6

GLYD:102, GLYD:103, GLNA:72, ASPE:58

Van der Waal

TYRE:35, GLND:105

Conventional Hydrogen Bond

LYSA:68, ALAA:69

Carbon Hydrogen Bond

TYRE:54

Pi-Pi Stacked

ARGA:65

Pi-Alkyl

43.

1183

 -5.6

GLNA:72, GLND:105, GLYD:103, ARGA:65, ASPE:58

Van der Waal

TYRE:35, LYSA:68

Conventional Hydrogen Bond

TYRE:54

Pi-Pi Stacked

ALAA:69

Alkyl

ALAA:69

Pi-Alkyl

44.

3840

-5.5

ALAA:90, PROA:15, SERA:88, ARGA:75, LEUA:78, PROA:20

Van der Waal

GLYA:91, GLUA:89, SERA:13, HISA:93, GLYA:78

Conventional Hydrogen Bond

ARGA:82

Pi-Alkyl

45

785

 -5.4

GLYD:102, GLND:105

Van dar Waal

GLYD:103, TYRE:35

Conventional Hydrogen Bond

ASPE:58

Unfavorable Donor-Donor

LYSA:68

Unfavorable Acceptor-Acceptor

TYRE:54

Pi-Pi Stacked

ALAA:69, ARGA:65

Pi-Alkyl

46.

5312441

 -5.3

ASPB:54, LEUB:66, GLYA:237, GLYA:239, GLNA:32, THRA:31, ASPA:30

Van der Waal

TYRA:27, SERB:53

Conventional Hydrogen Bond

TYRB:64

Alkyl

PROA:235, PHEA:241

Pi-Alkyl

47.

2266

 -5.0

VALE:175, LEUE:203, GLYE:178, METD:172

Van dar Waal

ARGE:204, SERD:174, SERE:177, SERE:206

Conventional Hydrogen Bond

VALE:170, VALE:205

Alkyl

PHEE:205

Pi-Alkyl

48.

985

 -4.6

GLNA:32, ASPA:30, ARGA:6, LYSB:59, SERB:58, TYRB:27, ARGA:234, THRA:233

Van der Waal

TYRA:27

Conventional Hydrogen Bond

TYRB:64, PHEA:241

Alkyl

ALAA:211, PROA:235

Pi-Alkyl

49

679

 -3.0

GLYC:4, TYRA: 159, THRA:163, GLNA:155, THRD:36, ALAA:158

Van dar Waal

ASPC:3

Attractive Charge

ASND:37, THRC:5

Conventional Hydrogen Bond

TYRD:101

Pi- Sulfur

50

284

 -2.8

GLYD:111, THRD:12, THRD:11, LEUD:96

Van der Waal

LYSD:112, GLYD:113, CYSD:95, PHED:110

Conventional hydrogen bond

GLND:13

Unfavorable Acceptor-Acceptor

 

 

Fig 1: 2D and 3D interaction of 18 Beta Glycyrrhetinic Acid

 

Fig 2: 2D and 3D interaction of Muberrofurnon

 

 

 


DRUG-LIKENESS AND ADMET PREDICTION:

The predicted Pharmacokinetics ADMET properties and drug likeness properties of the top 10 docked phytoconstituents with the having lower binding energy are presented Table 2 and 3. pkCSM was used for the characterization of the ADMET profile of docked phytoconstituents and swissADME was used for the characterisation of Lipinski rule.


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Table 2: ADMET properties of phytochemicals by PkCSM

Sr.

No.

Pub

chem Id

Absorption

Distribution

Metabolism

Excretion

Toxicity

Intestinal Absorp-tion (Human)

P-

Glyco protein Subs

trate

P-

Glyco protein

Subs

trate I

P-

Glyco protein

Sub

strate II

VDss (Human)

BBB

Perme-ability

CNS

Perme-ability

Substrate

Inhibitors

Total Clearance

AMES

Toxicity

CYP

2D6

3A4

1A2

2C19

2C9

2D6

3A4

Numeric (%

Absorb

ed)

Cate

gorial (Yes/No)

Cate

gorial (Yes/No)

Categorial (Yes/No)

Numeric (log

Lkg-1)

Numeric (log

BB)

Numeric (log

PS)

 

Numeric

(log mL min-1

kg-1)

Cate-gorial (Yes/

No)

1

14982

0

Yes

No

No

-0.576

-1.553

-4.3

No

No

No

No

No

No

No

-0.304

No

2

5281667

-2.892

Yes

Yes

Yes

-1.08

-2.061

-3.314

No

Yes

No

No

No

No

No

-1.583

No

3

9959532

100

Yes

Yes

Yes

-1.846

-1.269

-2.949

No

Yes

No

No

No

No

No

1.235

No

4

44258661

100

Yes

Yes

Yes

-0.328

1.247

-2.844

No

Yes

No

Yes

Yes

No

Yes

0.74

No

5

503737

46.076

Yes

No

No

-0.162

-1.146

-3.866

No

No

No

No

No

No

No

0.342

Yes

6

184877

55.365

Yes

Yes

Yes

-o.41

-1.64

-3.345

No

Yes

No

No

No

No

No

0.122

No

7

15231527

87.976

Yes

Yes

Yes

-0.412

-1.163

-1.917

No

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

No

No

0.44

No

8

102004551

75.494

Yes

Yes

Yes

0.128

-1.085

-2.364

No

Yes

No

No

Yes

No

No

0.327

No

9

10740797

100

No

Yes

Yes

0.023

-0.636

-2.988

No

Yes

No

Yes

Yes

No

Yes

-0.349

 Yes

10

5481969

94.121

Yes

Yes

Yes

0.001

-0.293

-1.632

No

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

No

Yes

0.138

No

 

Table 3: Drug-Likeness properties of phytochemicals by Swiss ADME

Sr

No.

PubChem ID

MW

(g/mol)

 

mLogP

 

HBA

 

HBD

 

MR

 

TPSA

 

nRot 

Lipinski's Rule (Ro5)

Veber's Rule

Ghose's Rule

Egan's Rule

Muegge's Rule

1

14982

806.93

-0.06

15

7

201.27

246.81

7

No

No

No

No

No

2

5281667

692.71

1.59

15

8

193.25

209.12

7

No

No

No

No

No

3

9959532

209.12

3.21

8

5

155.79

132.75

2

Yes

Yes

No

No

No

4

44258661

410.46 

2.19

6

3

119.99

100.13 

5

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

No

5

503737

401.39

-0.14

8

4

 99.45

125.68

4

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

6

184877

626.61

0.95

11

8

167.11

205.21

5

No

No

No

No

No

7

15231527

422.47

2.09

6

4

123.45

111.13

5

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

No

8

102004551

492.60

3.19

6

4

144.59

107.22

8

Yes

Yes

No

No

No

9

10740797

378.42

2.52

5

2

111.88

79.90

2

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

No

10

5481969

254.24

1.08

4

2

71.97

70.67

1

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

 


CONCLUSION:

Skin pigmentation, which refers to how much melanin the body generates, determines the color of the skin. The results of the molecular docking tests done in this study showed that the best performing compounds were 18 Beta Glycyrrhetinic Acid, Muberrofurnon, Artonin M, Liquiritin, Kuwanon T, Kuwanon G, Kuwanon L. Some of these compounds are, however, desirable for further evaluation due to their ADMET features. They are considered safe for usage because they do not have high BBB and CNS values, which indicate that they cannot easily access the nervous system.

 

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Received on 29.04.2025      Revised on 16.08.2025

Accepted on 23.10.2025      Published on 20.01.2026

Available online from January 27, 2026

Asian J. Pharm. Tech. 2026; 16(1):5-12.

DOI: 10.52711/2231-5713.2026.00002

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