Published Paper Details:

Epilepsy is a chronic neurological disorder characterized by recurrent seizures resulting from abnormal neuronal activity and remains a significant global health concern. Although several antiepileptic drugs are available, treatment resistance and adverse drug reactions continue to limit their effectiveness in many patients. Natural products represent an important source of bioactive compounds with potential therapeutic applications in neurological disorders. Luteolin, a naturally occurring flavonoid isolated from the rhizomes of Cyperus rotundus, has been reported to possess antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective properties. The present study investigated the potential anticonvulsant activity of luteolin through an in silico molecular docking approach against selected epilepsy-associated protein targets. Luteolin was isolated and purified from the rhizomes of Cyperus rotundus, and molecular docking studies were performed against key epilepsy-related targets, including GABA-A receptor (GABRA1), protein kinase B (AKT1), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-?), and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2/PTGS2). Three-dimensional structures of the target proteins were obtained from the Protein Data Bank, and docking analyses were conducted using standard molecular docking software to evaluate binding affinities and ligand-protein interactions. Luteolin demonstrated favorable binding interactions with all selected targets, forming stable ligand-protein complexes through hydrogen bonding and hydrophobic interactions. The observed binding affinities suggest the potential of luteolin to modulate neurotransmission, neuroinflammatory pathways, and neuronal survival mechanisms associated with epileptogenesis. These findings indicate that luteolin may serve as a promising natural candidate for anticonvulsant drug development. Further experimental studies are warranted to validate its antiepileptic efficacy and elucidate the underlying molecular mechanisms.