In silico ADME-T and molecular docking study of phytoconstituents from Tithonia diversifolia (Hemsl.) A. Gray on various targets of diabetic nephropathy

Context: Tithonia diversifolia (Hemsl.) A. Gray has been known for treatment of diabetes mellitus, yet its mechanism as anti-diabetic has not been defined. There are various therapeutic targets for diabetes and its complication such as diabetic nephropathy. Aims: To investigate the mechanism of phytoconstituents in Tithonia diversifolia to various targets of diabetic nephropathy and predict the pharmacokinetic profile such as absorption, distribution, metabolism, elimination, and toxicity (ADME-T). Methods: Eighteen phytoconstituents in Tithonia diversifolia were analyzed for drug-likeness. The molecular docking of molecules was performed to protein targets, then its molecular interaction was determined. ADME-T properties were predicted using three different web servers. Results: Drug-likeness analysis showed that all the phytoconstituents were within the range set by Lipinski's rule of five. This study showed that Tithonia diversifolia have potential as a candidate for diabetic nephropathy therapy agent with various mechanisms by inhibiting α-glucosidase, ACE, ALR, DPP-4, LMW-PTP, RAGE, SGLT2, SUR1, and an analog of PPAR-γ. 5-Caffeoylquinic acid, catechin, diversifolin, hispidulin, tagitinin A, tagitinin C, tagitinin F, tithonine, and tirotundin were phytoconstituents with a high binding affinity to several proteins. β-gurjunene, tagitinin A, tagitinin C, tagitinin F, and tirotundin were predicted to have a better ADME-T properties than other compounds. In summary, tagitinin A, tagitinin C, tagitinin F, and tirotundin were showed the high binding affinity to various diabetes-related proteins and have a good ADME-T profile. Conclusions: This study suggests that Tithonia diversifolia constituents have potential properties as an anti-diabetic nephropathy agent, and further studies to analyze its potency are required.