In Silico Evaluation of Novel 3-Piperoylindole Compounds Synthesized from Piperine (Piper Nigrum Linn.) for Potential Anti-Cancer

Authors

  • Syaiful Bahri Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Mathematics and Science, Lampung University, Bandar Lampung 35145, Indonesia
  • Devi Nur Anisa Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Mathematics and Science, Lampung University, Bandar Lampung 35145, Indonesia
  • Yuli Ambarwati Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Mathematics and Science, Lampung University, Bandar Lampung 35145, Indonesia
  • Lina Marlina Department of Agribusiness, Faculty of Agriculture, Lampung University, Bandar Lampung 35145, Indonesia
  • Sutiarno Department of Physics, Faculty of Mathematics and Science, Lampung University, Bandar Lampung 35145, Indonesia
  • Deana Wahyuningrum Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Bandung Institute of Technology, Bandung 40132, Indonesia
  • Ganjar Andhulangi Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Yogyakarta 55281, Indonesia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.48048/tis.2025.10466

Keywords:

3-piperoylindole, EGFR tyrosine kinase, Piper nigrum Linn., Anticancer, In silico

Abstract

The development of drugs that inhibit EGFR tyrosine kinase (EGFR-TK) is necessary to improve the effectiveness and durability of cancer treatment. In silico study employed a molecular docking approach to simulate the interaction between 3-piperoylindole (3-PI), a novel semi-synthetic derivative of piperine (Piper nigrum Linn.), and EGFR-TK. Redocking between the receptor and the original ligand yielded an RMSD value of 1.382 Å. The yield of the 3-PI compound was 37% w/w from piperoic acid. The docking results revealed that 3-PI (−8.7 kcal/mol) had a higher binding affinity than erlotinib (−7.7 kcal/mol) toward EGFR-TK. The binding affinity of 3-PI toward EGFR-TK was attributed to hydrophobic interactions and hydrogen bonds. These findings highlight the potential of this compound as anti-cancer for further in vitro and in vivo evaluation.

HIGHLIGHTS

  • 3-piperoylindole (3-PI) was synthesized from piperine (Piper nigrum) via a pre-target compound (piperoyl chloride) mechanism.
  • 3-PI compound was obtained 37% w/w of yield from piperoic acid.
  • The binding energy of the 3-PI compound evaluated using molecular docking approach showed −8.7 kcal/mol, which had a higher binding affinity than erlotinib (−7.7 kcal/mol) toward EGFR-TK.
  • The binding affinity of 3-PI toward EGFR-TK was attributed to hydrophobic interactions and hydrogen bonds. These findings highlight the potential of this compound as anti-cancer for further in vitro and in vivo

GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT

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Published

2025-08-30

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