Pharmacophore Modeling and Binding Affinity of Secondary Metabolites from Angelica keiskei to HMG Co-A Reductase.

Statins are cholesterol-lowering drugs with a mechanism of inhibiting 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase, but long-term use can cause side effects. An example of a plant capable of reducing cholesterol levels is Angelica keiskei (ashitaba). Therefore, this study aimed to obtain suitable compounds with inhibitory activity against the HMG-CoA reductase enzyme from ashitaba through in silico tests. The experiment began with screening and pharmacophore modeling, followed by molecular docking on ashitaba's compounds, statins groups, and the native ligand was (3R,5R)-7-[4-(benzyl carbamoyl)-2-(4-fluorophenyl)-5-(1-methylethyl)-1H-imidazole-1-yl]-3,5-dihydroxyheptanoic acid (4HI). Based on the results of the molecular docking simulations, 15 hit compounds had a small binding energy (ΔG). Pitavastatin, as the comparator drug (ΔG = -8.24 kcal/mol; Ki = 2.11 µM), had a lower ΔG and inhibition constant (Ki) than the native ligand 4HI (ΔG = -7.84 kcal/mol; Ki = 7.96µM). From ashitaba's compounds, it was found that 4'-O-geranylnaringenin, luteolin, isobavachalcone, dorsmannin A, and 3'-carboxymethyl-4,2'-dihydroxy-4'-methoxychalcone have low ΔG of below -6 kcal/mol. The lowest ΔG value was found in 3'-carboxymethyl-4,2'-dihydroxy-4'-methoxy chalcone with a ΔG of -6.67 kcal/mol and Ki value of 16.66 µM, which was lower than the ΔG value of the other comparator drugs, atorvastatin (ΔG = -5.49 kcal/mol; Ki = 1148.17 µM) and simvastatin (ΔG = -6.50 kcal/mol; Ki = 22.34 µM). This compound also binds to the important amino acid residues, including ASN755D, ASP690C, GLU559D, LYS735D, LYS691C, and SER684C, through hydrogen bonds. Based on the results, the compound effectively binds to six important amino acids with good binding affinity and only requires a small concentration to reduce half of the enzyme activity.

Validation of bioanalytical method for quantification of Vitamin K2 (MK-4) in human plasma by high-performance liquid chromatography-ultraviolet.

Vitamin K can reduce warfarin's anticoagulant action, causing a variance in response among individuals taking warfarin. Vitamin K comes in two forms, namely Vitamin K1 (phylloquinone) and K2 (menaquinones). Menaquinone-4 (MK-4) is a kind of Vitamin K2 found in meat and dairy products. Analysis of MK-4 levels in human plasma is very useful for patients who receive warfarin therapy. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) can be used for warfarin's bioanalysis, and it must be validated. The purpose of this study was to validate the bioanalytical method for quantification of Vitamin K2 (MK-4) in human plasma according to the 2019 European Medicines Agency (EMA) guideline. Vitamin K2 (MK-4) was extracted using acetonitrile. HPLC with an ultraviolet detector at 245 nm, using a T3 column set at 30°C and an isocratic mobile phase containing methanol: phosphate buffer (95:5) at pH 3, a flow rate of 1 mL/min was used in this study. The warfarin concentration of 0.5-3 µg/mL was used. About 5.50%-17.42% and 6.18%-8.74%, respectively, were the average ranges of percentage coefficient of variation and percentage difference. There was no response at the analyte's retention time in the six blank plasmas and at the analyte's retention time in the blank after the injection of upper limit of quantification, indicates that the procedure was very selective and did not result in any carryover. This bioanalytical method fulfills the parameters of selectivity, accuracy, precision, and carryover based on the 2019 EMA guidelines.