Network pharmacology-based assessment to elucidate the molecular mechanism of anti-diabetic action of Tinospora cordifolia

Abstract Background Tinospora cordifolia is used traditionally for the treatment of diabetes and is used in various formulations. Scientific evidence is also available for its anti-diabetic potency under various animal models. However, the probable molecular mechanism of Tinospora cordifolia in the treatment of diabetes has not been illuminated yet. Hence, the present study dealt to elucidate the probable molecular mechanism of anti-diabetic effect of Tinospora cordifolia using network pharmacology approach. Methods The structural information of bioactive phytoconstituents was retrieved from different open source databases. Compounds were then predicted for their hits with the probable targets involved in the diabetes mellitus. Phytoconstituents were also predicted for their druglikeness score, probable side effects, and ADMET profile. The modulated protein pathways were identified by using the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway analysis. The interaction between the compounds, proteins, and pathways was interpreted based on the edge count. The docking study was performed using Autodock4.0. Results Nine phytoconstituents from Tinospora cordifolia were identified to modulate the pathogenic protein molecules involved in diabetes mellitus. Among them, tembetarine scored highest druglikeness hit and had the maximum interaction with proteins involved in diabetes. Further, neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction was predicted as majorly modulated pathway. Conclusion The current study identified an important antidiabetic constituent, tembetarine which modulated the majority of diabetic proteins majorly modulating neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction.