Bacopa monnieri phytochemicals as promising BACE1 inhibitors for Alzheimer’s disease therapy

Abstract

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) remains a formidable challenge, necessitating the discovery of effective therapeutic agents targeting β-site amyloid precursor protein cleaving enzyme 1 (BACE1). This study investigates the inhibitory potential of phytochemicals derived from Bacopa monnieri, a plant renowned for its cognitive-enhancing properties, in comparison to established synthetic inhibitors such as Atabecestat, Lanabecestat, and Verubecestat. Utilizing molecular docking and advanced computational simulations, we demonstrate that Bacopaside I exhibits superior binding affinity and a unique interaction profile with BACE1, suggesting a more nuanced inhibitory mechanism. Our findings highlight the promising role of Bacopa monnieri phytochemicals as viable alternatives to synthetic drugs, emphasizing their potential to overcome limitations faced in clinical settings. Furthermore, the development of the SIMANA (https://simana.streamlit.app/) platform enhances the visualization and analysis of protein–ligand interactions, facilitating a deeper understanding of the dynamics involved. This research not only underscores the therapeutic promise of natural compounds in AD treatment but also advocates for a paradigm shift towards integrating traditional medicinal knowledge into contemporary drug discovery efforts.