In silico docking and ADME study of deketene curcumin derivatives (DKC) as an aromatase inhibitor or antagonist to the estrogen-alpha positive receptor (Erα(+)): potent application of breast cancer

Regardless of many extensive studies, hormonal-based breast cancer is the most common cause of cancer-related mortality of females worldwide. Indeed, estrogen receptor-positive (ER +) is the communal subtype in breast cancer. To treat this, three types of medications are typically used: selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs), selective estrogen receptor down modulators (SERDMs), and aromatase inhibitors (AIs), all of which directly interact with the activation of the estrogen signaling pathway and its formation. Despite their effectiveness, the development of new treatments is required since clinical efficacy is restricted owing to resistance. As a result, in silico studies for drug discovery are booming over the decades because of their affordability and less time-consuming features. Here, 25 deketene curcumin derivatives have been selected for docking studies through MVD software over the positive type of breast cancer through both the treatment hosts Erα + receptor and aromatase. DKC compounds are used because they have several pharmacological uses, including anti-cancer, anti-diabetic, anti-viral, anti-fungal, and anti-bacterial properties. Moreover, an ADME study was carried out for DKC derivatives that reveal the optimum drug-likeness profile. From 25 derivatives, the results showed a better MolDock score, hydrogen bonding, and steric interaction between compounds DKC-10, DKC-20, and DKC-21 with Erα + and aromatase. Although the study was done on both the treatable path hosts, better results were obtained with Erα + as an antagonist. Therefore, it is proposed that three selected DKC derivatives would be better therapeutic agents against breast cancer. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s11224-021-01871-2.