Molecular docking and preclinical studies of Gymnema sylvestre on endothelial nitric oxide synthase in Type-2 diabetes-related complications

Aim: The purpose of the study was to investigate the effect of different compounds from leaves of Gymnema sylvestre (GS) on nitric oxide (NO) production. Materials and Methods: To study the binding and effect of different compounds from GS 10 molecules were docked on the enzyme endothelial NO synthase (eNOS) using molegro virtual docker and the result was compared with that of the agonists (acetylcholine, bradykinin, and serotonin). Further to confi rm the activity animal studies were done on albino rats blood glucose levels were measured using glucometer and NO levels were estimated spectrophotometrically using griess agent. Results: Docking studies showed that almost all the compounds from the leaves of GS bind perfectly with eNOS with the lowest binding energies similar to that of the agonists. Animal studies confi rmed the docking results when blood glucose levels decreased and NO levels increased in diabetic rats treated with GS leaf extract. Conclusion: Docking and animal studies show that leaf extract of GS might help in improving the production of NO by stimulating eNOS and thus, can be used as an agent to avoid diabetes and diabetic vascular complications.