Molecular Modeling of Lectin-Like Protein fromAcacia farnesianaReveals a Possible Anti-Inflammatory Mechanism in Carrageenan-Induced Inflammation

Abstract

Acacia farnesiana lectin-like protein (AFAL) is a chitin-binding protein and has been classified as phytohaemagglutinin from Phaseolus vulgaris (PHA). Legume lectins are examples for structural studies, and this family of proteins shows a remarkable conservation in primary, secondary, and tertiary structures. Lectins have ability to reduce the effects of inflammation caused by phlogistic agents, such as carrageenan (CGN). This paper explains the anti-inflammatory activity of AFAL through structural comparison with anti-inflammatory legume lectins. The AFAL model was obtained by molecular modeling and molecular docking with glycan and carrageenan were performed to explain the AFAL structural behavior and biological activity. Pisum sativum lectin was the best template for molecular modeling. The AFAL structure model is folded as a β sandwich. The model differs from template in loop regions, number of β strands and carbohydrate-binding site. Carrageenan and glycan bind to different sites on AFAL. The ability of AFAL binding to carrageenan can be explained by absence of the sixth β-strand (posterior β sheets) and two β strands in frontal region. AFAL can inhibit pathway inflammatory process by carrageenan injection by connecting to it and preventing its entry into the cell and triggers the reaction.

The anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive effects of proteins extracted from Acacia farnesiana seeds

“…Moreover, differences observed in the presence of proteolytic activity in albumins and globulin fractions reinforce the differences in protein content between fractions. These hypothesis suggest that the anti-inflammatory activity previously reported by AFAL (Abrantes et al, 2013) and pharmacolocgical activities observed here should be promoted by different lectins present in A. farnesiana seeds.…”

“…These plant proteins receive special attention, as they are promising molecules for human therapeutic treatment. Recently, Abrantes et al (2013) purified a lectin-like protein with anti-inflammatory activity from albumin fraction A. farnesiana. In the present work, we evaluated the presence of anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities in the globulin fraction obtained from A. farnesiana seeds.…”

A Review of the Potential Benefits of Herbal Medicines, Small Molecules of Natural Sources, and Supplements for Health Promotion in Lupus Conditions

“…(Fabaceae) is known as sweet acacia, needle bush, and huisache. A. farnesiana, due to its proteins, lectin, and α-amyrin, β-amyrin, and lupeol have anti-inflamma tory and antioxidant effects and can down-regulate proinflammatory mediators [375][376][377].…”

Antiproliferative and Dna Cleavage Activity of Various Solvent Extracts of Acacia Farnesiana Linn. Pod

“…Areole 6.5-7 mm long, 4 mm wide [10]. A. farnesiana is one of the medicinally important plants of Ayurvedic system of medicine and has been used for various pharmacological activities such as Vibrio cholera inhibition [11], herbicide [12], antimalarial [13], antioxidant [14], antidiarrheal [15], antimicrobial [16], phytoremediation [17], defluoridation, adsorbent [18], antiulcer [19], acetylcholine esterase, NADH oxidase inhibitory [20], bronchodilator [21], and anti-inflammatory [22]. The compounds, viz., lectin-like protein, cyclopropenoid fatty acids [23], four new diterpenes, acasiane A, acasiane B, farnesirane A, and farnesirane B [24], methyl gallate [25], naringenin, kaempferol, quercetin, and myricetin [26] have been isolated from various parts of the plant.…”