Molecular mechanism of curcumin on periodontitis: A pharmacological network study

Abstract

Abstract: Objective This study aimed to identify the molecular mechanism of curcumin on periodontitis based on a pharmacological network strategy. Methods The potential therapeutic targets of curcumin and differentially expressed genes in periodontitis were identified. Subsequently, we extracted the molecules in common and analyzed them. A metabolic pathway enrichment and gene ontology analysis were performed and the protein–protein interaction network was inferred. These analyses allowed the identification of key proteins. Finally, a molecular docking of the main key proteins was performed with curcumin. Results Our results showed that 55 genes are differentially expressed in periodontitis and are potential targets of curcumin. In addition, we observed that these genes participate in cell motility and immune response and are related to chemokine receptors (CXCRs) and enzymatic activity, such as arachidonate 5-lipoxygenase (ALOX5). We identified six key proteins, IL1B, CXCL8, CD44, MMP2, EGFR, and ITGAM; molecular docking revealed that these six proteins spontaneously bind to curcumin. Conclusion The results of this study helps us understand the molecular mechanism of curcumin in periodontitis. We propose that curcumin affects proinflammatory cytokines, ALOX5, and cell migration through chemokine receptors and acts on the cell membrane. Additionally, we identified six key proteins that are essential in this mechanism, all of which spontaneously bind to curcumin.