International Journal of Science, Engineering and TechnologyProceeding Paper of ICDDCS 2023 Conference
Screening the Phytochemicals of the Medicinal Plants Constituting the Ayurvedic Formulation ‘Arjunarishta’ as Antismoking Agents – an Aid to Smoking Cessation Therapies
Authors- Tathagata Adhikary, Piyali Basak
Abstract- -The detrimental effects of tobacco abuse pose a major threat to public health. The World Health Organization estimates around one billion smokers globally with less than 10% smokers who quit and maintain nicotine abstinence for more than one year. Hence this addiction needs to be addressed and medical interventions are encountered to decelerate the rate of premature mortality. Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs), being the targets of nicotine, are involved in tobacco addiction and the dependence is reported to be reinforced and induced by the α7 nAChR. Expression of α4β2 nAChRs is found throughout the brain including the mesolimbic dopamine system which stands responsible for regulating the reinforcement and reward sensation of most drug abuse cases. α4β2 nAChRs also mediate the withdrawal symptoms and relapse of nicotine addiction. The adverse side effects of synthetic drug molecules have created a global awareness on Ayurveda and its formulations. Ancient ayurvedic cardiotonic “Arjunarishta” is an arishta preparation consisting of stem bark of Terminalia arjuna, fruits of Vitis vinifera, flowers of Madhuca indica and Woodfordia fruticosa, and jaggery. Upon summarizing, these ingredients constitute 240 unique phytochemicals that are considered as the ligands (probable candidate molecule) in our study. Analyzing the molecular docking results and considering the ADMET properties, 34 potential hit molecules are highlighted that can multitarget the α7 and α4β2 subunits of nAChRs. These hit phytoconstituents necessitate further invitro and in-vivo evaluations in the path of discovery of antismoking agents with minimal physiological side effects, taking a step towards developing efficient smoking cessation therapies.
