Molecular Docking Study Reveals α-Santalol from Santalum album Linn. as Promising Inhibitor of CD36 for Atherosclerosis

Abstract

Atherosclerosis is an inflammatory vascular disease defined by the increasing buildup of cholesterol in the walls of the arteries, and it is a primary contributor to cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Issues concerning the adverse effects of synthetic treatments have recently resulted in a lack of patient consultations, drug misuse, and, as a result, a disturbance in meticulous disease control. As a result, a new understanding of traditional medicines has recently developed, and much research has been undertaken on such botanicals in an attempt to produce newer naturally based drugs. Santalum album, commonly known as sandalwood is one of the promising botanicals which is rich in α-Santalol. Therefore, the present study aims at exploring the targeting ability of α-Santalol against the protein CD36 which plays a significant part in the development and progression of atherosclerosis. In this research, a computation approach using Autodock4 is carried out which revealed negative binding energy of 9.10Kcal/mol highlighting the potential of α-Santalol for the effective management of cardiovascular diseases like atherosclerosis. However, there is still a need to validate the findings of this research with both, In Vivo and In Vitro studies.