Ganoderic acid targeting nuclear factor erythroid 2–related factor 2 in lung cancer

Lung cancer causes huge mortality worldwide, and targeting new pathway may provide an alternative in modulating signaling in cancer. Nuclear factor erythroid 2–related factor 2 is the major regulator of endogenous and exogenous stress by activating numerous antioxidant genes critical in cancer, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and inflammatory bowel diseases. Ganoderic acid is a triterpene from basiodiomycetes fungus Ganoderma lucidum with numerous therapeutic effects. In this study, ganoderic acid and its 50 isomers and natural activators were docked by receptor-based molecular docking using Maestro 9.6 (Schrödinger Inc.) in the Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1-nuclear factor erythroid 2–related factor 2 signaling pathway. The receptor-based molecular docking reveals the best binding interaction of nuclear factor erythroid 2–related factor 2 and ganoderic acid A with GScore (−9.69) (kcal/mol), Lipophilic EvdW (−1.83), Electro (−0.72), Glide emodel (−73.369), H bond (−1.1), molecular mechanics/generalized Born surface area (−75.541) with Leu 718, Asp 800, Cys 797 residues involved in hydrogen bonding. The calculated docking energy highlights the lipophilic, hydrogen bonding, pi–pi stacking interactions, and non-covalent bonding. Analysis showed the involvement of cysteine and serine residues which were crucial in the activation and translocation from cytoplasm to the nucleus in the nuclear factor erythroid 2–related factor 2 signaling process. The molecular docking tool QikProp analyzed the absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, and toxicity but needs some modifications in their structure to satisfy Lipinski’s rule. Ganoderic acid A is a best docked isoform which inhibits the cell proliferation, viability, migration, and reactive oxygen species and messenger RNA expression of nuclear factor erythroid 2–related factor 2 in H460 cells.