Targeting EGFR (PDB id-1XKK) for Immunomodulation: Network Pharmacology and Molecular Docking Insights into Glycyrrhiza glabra, Piper longum, and Phyllanthus emblica

Aim/Background

Plant-derived bioactive constituents can act as immunomodulators by stimulating or suppressing immune responses. This study evaluated the immunomodulatory potential of Glycyrrhiza glabra (root), Piper longum (fruit), and Phyllanthus emblica (fruit) using bioinformatics approaches, focusing on their interaction with the Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR).

Materials and Methods

Immunomodulatory targets were obtained from GeneCards, and major phytochemicals were identified from IMPPAT, PubChem, and Dr. Duke’s databases. Network pharmacology was used to map compound-target-pathway relationships. Molecular docking was performed against EGFR (PDB ID: 1XKK) to assess binding affinities.

Results

Network Pharmacology Indicate presences of Key compounds included β-carotene, quercetin, kaempferol, apigenin, licochalcone-A (G. glabra); Piperine, Piperlonguminine, Pipernonaline, Piperundecalidine, Guineensine (P. longum); and ellagic acid, quercetin, gallic acid, catechol, methyl gallate (P. emblica). EGFR emerged as a major target, with several compounds showing strong docking affinities.

Conclusion

These plants exhibited promising EGFR-mediated immunomodulatory potential and may serve in herbal immunostimulant formulations. Further laboratory and clinical validation are required.