Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDS) as potential inhibitors of tankyrase-2 for colon cancer prevention: an in silico study

Abstract

Colon cancer is one of the most lethal and common cancers worldwide. The potential risk factor recognized for tumor development was chronic inflammation. Therefore, targeting inflammatory pathways and tankyrases which control Wnt pathway involved in cancer pathogenesis has proved effective in preventing the formation of colon cancer and its progression. Hence, in the present investigation, to find the potential anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) capable of inhibiting tankyrases, 12 NSAIDs were selected as ligands targeting the proteins tankyrases which play a major role in cancer progression. An advanced docking software Auto dock was selected for the study. Among the 12 anti-inflammatory drugs selected, mefanemic acid was found to be potential inhibitor of tankyrases followed by Indomethacin, Piroxicam, Ketorolac and Etoricoxib. Rest of the drugs under study showed moderate degree of inhibition. Least inhibition potential was recorded with diclofenac. Hence, from the above results, it is clear that Mefanemic acid, Indomethacin, Piroxicam, Ketorolac have the potential of preventing colon cancer by inhibiting tankyrases-2. However, further in vitro and in vivo investigations are required for confirmation.