Molecular Docking and Dynamics Study of Acetogenins Targeting Cyclin-dependent Kinase and In vitro Evaluation of Annona Muricata Fruit Extracts using MDA-MB-231 Breast Cancer Cell Line

Background: Overexpressed CDK1 and CDK2 are targeted as potential sites for cancer treatment. Annona muricata fruit has been reported to have more than 100 acetogenins showing cytotoxic activities against cancer cell lines. Hence the study aims to demonstrate the cytotoxicity of ethyl acetate fruit extract, its role in cell cycle progression, and apoptosis using the MDMBA-231 breast cancer cell line. Docking, dynamics, and ADME studies were also demonstrated to generate lead molecules of AM fruit responsible for cancer treatment. Methods: Cell viability was quantified by the MTT assay. Cell cycle arrest and apoptotic cells were determined by flow cytometry and PI annexin V-FITC staining by flow cytometry, respectively. Molecular docking, molecular dynamics, and ADME properties of 11 acetogenins were studied using the schrödinger maestro suite 2018-1. Results: The MTT assay revealed IC50 232.9μg/ml with a high degree of cytotoxicity. The extract effectively caused cell cycle arrest at the G2M and S phases; early and late apoptosis was induced at 160 μg/ml and 320 μg/ml. Docking scores of muricin L, J, and annomuricin A complexed with CDK2 and muricin J, K, and L with CDK1 binding energy ranging is mentioned as a molecular dynamic study envisaged muricin j against CDK2 stable hydrogen and hydrophobic interactions with critical residues like ASP-86, GLN-131, HIS-84, LYS-89, PHE80, PHE82, and PHE83 throughout 200 ns (hinge region). ADMET profiling also confirmed that all 11 ligands passed the rule of 5 and 3. The in vitro and in silico studies revealed that these acetogenins could be CDK1 and CDK2 inhibitors for cancer treatment. Conclusion: The in vitro studies presume that the ethyl acetate fruit extract of AM is an excellent cytotoxic agent. In silico studies demonstrated that muricin j could lead molecules to target kinase proteins responsible for cell proliferation. ADME study enlightened us to take 11 acetogenins for the drug discovery process in managing cancer treatment.