Why in the news?
A new study (Current Pharmaceutical Analysis, 2025) suggests that common plant molecules from Aloe vera—especially Beta sitosterol—may inhibit key enzymes associated with Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Findings are based entirely on in silico (computer simulation) techniques.
What is Computer Simulation (In Silico Research)?
|
Alzheimer’s Disease (AD)
- Most common form of dementia.
- Characterised by:
- Memory loss
- Cognitive decline
- Accumulation of beta-amyloid plaques and tau tangles
- Loss of acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter linked to learning and memory.
- Enzymes involved in acetylcholine breakdown:
- Acetylcholinesterase (AChE)
- Butyrylcholinesterase (BChE)
- Current drugs (e.g., donepezil, rivastigmine) work by inhibiting these enzymes but do not stop disease progression.
Why Aloe vera?
- Used for 3000+ years in traditional medicine.
- Contains bioactive compounds such as Beta sitosterol, Succinic acid, polysaccharides, and phenolics.
Major Findings
- Beta sitosterol showed strong binding affinity to both enzymes:
- AChE: −8.6 kcal/mol
- BChE: −8.7 kcal/mol
- The binding strength is higher than that of other screened compounds like Succinic acid.
- ADMET results suggest:
- Good absorption
- Low toxicity
- Favourable pharmacokinetic profile
| Which one of the following is the context in which the term “qubit” is mentioned? (2022)
(a) Cloud Services (b) Quantum Computing (c) Visible Light Communication Technologies (d) Wireless Communication Technologies This PYQ is chosen because it tests a fundamental concept related to the cutting edge of computational power and modelling, which is the operational domain of computer simulation. |
Get an IAS/IPS ranker as your 1: 1 personal mentor for UPSC 2024
