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2000
Volume 21, Issue 6
  • ISSN: 1573-4072
  • E-ISSN: 1875-6646

Abstract

Introduction

The natural triterpenoid molecule betulinic acid (BA) has many biological and therapeutic uses, one of which is the relief from asthma symptoms. The purpose of this study was to assess BA effectiveness in treating bronchial asthma and to perform a molecular docking study to find the binding energy of BA with β-adrenoceptor.

Methods

leaf extraction was performed in a soxhlet apparatus using ethanol as a solvent. Budesenoid was used as a standard drug. AutoDock vina in PyRx 0.8 was used for the molecular docking investigation. An acute toxicity study was conducted according to OECD guideline 425. A guinea pig model of asthma called anaphylactic microshock was used to ascertain the antiasthmatic efficacy of the test drug. Antiasthmatic activity was determined by grouping the animals into four groups, each containing six animals. Group 1 was the control group that received only vehicles. Group 2 was the standard group that received budesenoid. Group 3 was the test group that received extract. Group 4 was the test group received BA.

Results

In terms of binding affinity, BA had a value of -7.45 kcal/mol, showing binding with β-adrenoceptor. A molecular docking study showed that BA was bound to the hydrophobic cavity of LOX-5, and the formation of hydrogen bonds altered the micro-environment and structure of LOX-5. This resulted in a reduction in enzyme activity. The mean pre-convulsion time for the test drug was 506.66 in comparison to the control group, as observed in the guinea pig model of asthma.

Conclusion

BA was found to be effective in reducing anaphylaxis in animal models. Thus, it may be used as an alternative drug in treating asthma after clinical trials. However, a molecular docking study verified that BA had a prospective target on the desired receptor for further therapeutic development.

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Antiasthamatic Activity of Betulinic Acid as a Current Bioactive Compound in an Experimental Model
Curr. Bioact. Compd. 21, E280624231425 (2025); https://doi.org/10.2174/0115734072304279240610075608
/content/journals/cbc/10.2174/0115734072304279240610075608
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  • Article Type:     Research Article
Keyword(s): adrenoceptor; anaphylaxis; Asthma; betulinic acid; budesonide; molecular docking

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