Computational prediction and QSAR-based design of novel curcumin derivatives: Enhancing insulin receptor binding and pharmacokinetic properties for improving therapeutic efficacy | ||||
Biological and Biomedical Journal | ||||
Volume 3, Issue 2, July 2025, Page 73-78 PDF (1.89 MB) | ||||
Document Type: Research Articles | ||||
DOI: 10.21608/bbj.2025.361161.1089 | ||||
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Authors | ||||
Asmaa M. Kadry ![]() ![]() ![]() | ||||
1Chemistry Department, Faculty of Science, Sohag University, Sohag, Egypt | ||||
2Biotechnology Program, Faculty of Agriculture, Ain Shams University, Egypt | ||||
Abstract | ||||
Curcumin (CUR) demonstrates therapeutic potential for insulin resistance (IR) and type 2 diabetes through anti-inflammatory and insulin-sensitizing properties. However, clinical applications remains limited due to poor bioavailability and weak insulin receptor binding affinity. Despite extensive anti-diabetic studies, a critical gap exists in developing structurally optimized CUR-derivatives with enhanced insulin receptor binding and validated pharmacokinetic profiles. This study aims to design novel CUR- derivatives with improved insulin receptor interactions using integrated computational approaches. A comprehensive framework combining molecular docking, QSAR modelling, and ADMET profiling evaluated ten CUR-derivatives. Molecular docking simulations against insulin (PDB ID: 6JK8) and insulin receptor (PDB ID: 4ZXB) used AutoDock Vina, with genetic algorithm-based optimization guiding rational design. CUR-Derivatives demonstrated substantially improved binding affinities versus native CUR:-7.16 to -9.98 kcal/mol (insulin) and -7.86 to -10.49 kcal/mol (insulin receptor) compared to -6.81 and -5.03 kcal/mol, respectively. CUR-3 emerged as the lead candidate with superior binding affinity (-9.98/-10.49 kcal/mol), balanced ADMET properties (LogP = 3.876, LogS = -3.729), and favorable safety profile. QSAR analysis (R² ≈ 1, Q² = 0.75) identified moderate lipophilicity and balanced hydrogen bonding as critical activity determinants.CUR-3 represents a promising scaffold for anti-diabetic therapeutics requiring experimental validation to confirm therapeutic potential for IR management. | ||||
Keywords | ||||
Anti Diabetes; Curcumin; insulin resistance; insulin receptor | ||||
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