Prediction of Translational Regulation by Network Interaction in Synaptic Plasticity Induced with Centella asiatica .

BACKGROUND: Recently, human life expectancy, aging, and age-related health disorders, especially neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease (AD), have increased. The increasing number of AD patients causes a heavy social and economic burden on society. Since there is no treatment for AD, utilization of natural products is currently accepted as an alternative or integrative treatment agent against AD.

METHODS: Selection of protein databases related to synaptic plasticity was obtained from a gene bank. The protein-protein interaction (PPI) analysis was performed using Cytoscape 3.9.1. Prediction of Centella asiatica target constituents and their relationship with target synaptic plasticity was performed using STITCH, followed by GO and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis and molecular binding of ligands to presynaptic and postsynaptic receptors afterwards.

RESULTS: From the protein database, 446 protein coding genes related to synaptic plasticity were found. PPI and KEGG pathway analysis showed potentiality to inhibit AKT and mTORC1 pathways. The targeted proteins were TSC1, Rheb, and FMRP.

CONCLUSION: This study showed potentiality of Centella asiatica in AD through its binding to several proteins such as TSC1, Rheb, and FMRP. This compound in Centella asiatica was able to bind to the AKT1 and mTOR signaling pathways. Centella asiatica may behold greater potency in AD therapy.