A Nanoinformatics Approach to Evaluate the Pharmacological Properties of Nanoparticles for the Treatment of Alzheimer’s Disease

Abstract

Background: Alzheimer’s disease is a nervous system destructive disease which causes structural, biochemical and electrical abnormalities inside the human brain and results due to genetic and various environmental factors. Traditional therapeutic agents of Alzheimer’s disease such as tacrine and physostigmine has been found causing adverse effects to the nervous system and gastrointestinal tract. Nanomaterials like graphene, metals, carbon-nanotubes and metal-oxides are gaining attention as potential drugs against Alzheimer’s disease due to their properties such as large surface area which provides clinical efficiency, targeted drug designing and delivery. Objectives: Designing new drugs by using experimental approaches are time-consuming, tedious and laborious processes which also require advanced technologies. This study aims to identify the novel drug candidates against Alzheimer’s disease with no or less associated side effects using molecular docking approaches. Methods: In this study, we utilized nanoinformatics based approaches for evaluating the interaction properties of various nanomaterials and metal nanoparticles with the drug targets including TRKB kinase domain, EphA4 and histone deacetylase. Furthermore, drug-likeness of carbon nanotubes was confirmed through ADME analysis. Results: Carbon nanotubes, either single or double-walled in all the three-configuration including zigzag, chiral, and armchair forms are found to interact with the target receptors with varying affinities. Conclusion: This study provides a novel and clearer insights into the interaction properties and drug suitability of known putative nanoparticles as potential agents for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease.