Molecular Docking and Quantum Mechanical Studies on Pelargonidin-3-Glucoside as Renoprotective ACE Inhibitor

Background and Aim . Despite tangible progress in recent years, substantial therapeutic challenges remain unexplored in nephropathy, particularly in diabetic patient. Addressing these challenges requires identification of novel drugs and development of noninvasive and cost-effective methods to select the most appropriate therapeutic option for the disease. Angiopathic nephropathy is one of the complications of diabetes mellitus and is becoming the single most important reason for end-stage renal disease in the western world. This study has investigated the inhibitory effect of a library naturally occurring nonprotein compounds that inhibit angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE). Materials and Methods . Docking studies of ACE protein with natural compounds and synthetic commercial drug perindopril were done using AutoDock, FlexX, and Hex. Toxicity predictions were carried out using OpenTox. Quantum mechanical properties were studied using GAMESS. Results . Pelargonidin-3-glucoside could be used as a potent renoprotective drug candidate, which inhibits ACEII. It has low toxicity and its quantum mechanical properties are comparable to those of commercial drugs.