Research Article
Metibemu DS
Abstract
Activators (agonists) of the nuclear receptor, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR?) are therapeutically used to tackle hyperglycemia associated with type 2 diabetes. Current therapeutic compounds, thiazolidinedione used to sensitize cells to insulin have been reported to adversely affect the body. In view of this, the discovery of novel ligands is highly pertinent. Plant products have been documented, to be a promising pool of structures for drug discovery, and the PPAR?-activating potential of a wide range of natural products have been reported. In the present study, Computer-aided drug design techniques were employed in the screening of pharmacologically relevant compounds of medicinal plant. Seventy (70) phyto-ligands (phytochemicals) characterized from Stevia rebaudiana and obtained from literatures were screened for their agonistic effects on peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR?) belonging to the nuclear receptor family. Austroinulin was the lead compound with a binding energy of -8.1kcal/mol. The pharmacological kinetic analysis of austroinulin was determined. The results of this study demonstrated that the phyto-ligand (austroinulin) exhibit agonistic activity on PPAR? and could be a potential insulin sensitizer