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Original Research | Food Science | Volume 15 Issue 6, June 2026 | Pages: 728 - 744 | India
In Silico Approach of Neuroprotective Mechanisms of Piper Beetle Leaves Derived Nutraceutical Phytochemicals in Parkinson's Disease
Abstract: Parkinson's disease (PD) is a rapidly increasing neurodegenerative disorder and a major global health concern. While aging is the primary risk factor, modern dietary patterns, including high consumption of processed foods and associated metabolic disturbances, may contribute to oxidative stress, chronic inflammation, and neuronal dysfunction implicated in PD pathogenesis. In this context, plant-derived bioactive compounds have emerged as promising neuroprotective agents. This study explored the therapeutic potential of Piper betle, a traditional functional food and medicinal plant, against PD using an integrated network pharmacology and molecular docking approach. A total of 100 phytochemicals from P. betle were screened for drug-likeness and pharmacokinetic properties. ADME analysis showed that 89% of compounds satisfied Lipinski's Rule of Five, indicating favorable oral bioavailability and drug-like properties. Key compounds, including eugenol, hydroxychavicol, caffeic acid, ferulic acid, squalene, and vitamin E, exhibited strong blood?brain barrier permeability and central nervous system accessibility with minimal cytochrome P450 inhibition. Target prediction and disease association analysis identified 19 common targets associated with key PD mechanisms, including dopaminergic neurotransmission, apoptosis, neuroinflammation, and survival signaling pathways. Protein?protein interaction analysis highlighted TP53, AKT1, and MAPK1 as major hub proteins. Functional enrichment analysis showed significant associations with Parkinson's disease pathways, dopaminergic synapse, apoptosis, and neuroprotective signaling cascades. Molecular docking studies targeting tyrosine hydroxylase revealed strong binding affinities, with flavoquinone exhibiting the highest binding energy (-7.8 kcal/mol).
Keywords: Piper beetle, Neutaceutical, Phytochemical, In silico, Parkinson's Disease and Lewy bodies
How to Cite?: R. Poovizhi Selvi, Dr. K. Karthikeyan, "In Silico Approach of Neuroprotective Mechanisms of Piper Beetle Leaves Derived Nutraceutical Phytochemicals in Parkinson's Disease", Volume 15 Issue 6, June 2026, International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR), Pages: 728-744, https://www.ijsr.net/getabstract.php?paperid=SR26613193439, DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.21275/SR26613193439