Compound Prunetin Induces Cell Death in Gastric Cancer Cell with Potent Anti-Proliferative Properties: In Vitro Assay, Molecular Docking, Dynamics, and ADMET Studies

Gastric cancer is the common type of malignancy positioned at second in mortality rate causing burden worldwide with increasing treatment options. Prunetin (PRU) is an O-methylated flavonoid that belongs to the group of isoflavone executing beneficial activities. In the present study, we investigated the anti-proliferative and cell death effect of the compound PRU in AGS gastric cancer cell line. The in vitro cytotoxic potential of PRU was evaluated and significant proliferation was observed. We identified that the mechanism of cell death was due to necroptosis through double staining and was confirmed by co-treatment with inhibitor necrostatin (Nec-1). We further elucidated the mechanism of action of necroptosis via receptor interacting protein kinase 3 (RIPK3) protein expression and it has been attributed by ROS generation through JNK activation. Furthermore, through computational analysis by molecular docking and dynamics simulation, the efficiency of compound prunetin against RIPK3 binding was validated. In addition, we also briefed the pharmacokinetic properties of the compound by in silico ADMET analysis.