Screening of phytochemicals for potential breast cancer targets BRCA1 and BARD1: A network pharmacology approach

Breast cancer disease onset and progression has a complex pathophysiology. The recent findings reveal that the genetic variations and mutations in the ring domains of BRCA1 and BRCA2 appear to be of critical significance. These genes are essential for DNA repair and adverse variations or mutations in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes may increase the likelihood of developing breast cancer. Virtual screening of phytochemicals that are interacting with BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations can be an effective strategy in identifying potential leads against the genes associated with breast cancer. Thus, the current study focuses on the efficacy of the phytochemicals from north east region of India for their potential against breast cancer. The Phytochemicals reported in North East India Medicinal Plant Database (NEIMPDB) were chosen against the BRCA1 and BARD1 proteins which are implicated in human breast cancer. Maclurin, a phytophenol phytochemical known for its antioxidant activity was identified as a top scoring phytochemical in the screening of both BRCA1 and BARD1 proteins. The traditional practices of these plants revealed the use of Ricinis communis in the treatment of glandular cancer. Further, the network pharmacology and gene enrichment analysis were also performed for the target genes of top phytochemicals res with Cytoscape to highlight the constituent target gene in diseases pathways. Eight (8) phytochemicals namely Acteoside (Barleria cristata), Anthraquinones Emodin (Stellaria media), L-(+)-Quercitol (Aloe barbadensis), Maclurin (Ricinus communis), Myoinositol (Dioscorea sp.), Neoisoastilbin (Goniothalamus sesquipedalis), Okanin (Urtica magellanica), and Plantamajoside (Coccinia grandis) were identified as the compounds with the most number of breast cancer target genes.