Research Article

Investigation of phytochemicals derived from Gentiana dinarica as potential drug candidates for colorectal cancer by computational approaches

Volume: 54 Number: 1 December 31, 2025
TR EN

Investigation of phytochemicals derived from Gentiana dinarica as potential drug candidates for colorectal cancer by computational approaches

Abstract

Colorectal cancer is one of the deadliest cancers worldwide, necessitating early intervention for the most promising outcomes. Current treatments include chemotherapeutic drugs, which, although effective in reducing the risk of metastasis, often harm healthy cells and cause significant patient distress due to adverse side effects. Phytochemicals, which tend to have fewer negative effects, may serve as viable alternative treatment options. This study investigates the potential of phytochemicals derived from Gentiana dinarica for colorectal cancer treatment by targeting proteins involved in the Wnt signaling pathway using computational biology approaches. Our results identify gentioside as a promising candidate, showing the highest binding affinity toward β-catenin, DVL1, and WNT5a proteins, while isoorientin demonstrates the greatest potential against the COX2 protein. However, due to violations of drug-likeness rules by gentioside and isoorientin, norswertianin and gentiopicroside were further analyzed. These compounds exhibit high binding affinity and favorable drug-likeness profiles, making them strong candidates for inhibiting Wnt pathway receptors. Comprehensive in vitro and in vivo studies are recommended to validate the effectiveness of these phytochemicals in the treatment of colorectal cancer.

Keywords

Thanks

The authors gratefully acknowledge Muhammed Yasir Goz of the Visual Arts and Communication Design program at the International University of Sarajevo for his assistance in editing the figures presented in this article.

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Structural Biology

Journal Section

Research Article

Publication Date

December 31, 2025

Submission Date

June 3, 2025

Acceptance Date

August 20, 2025

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 54 Number: 1

APA
Akçeşme, B., Abazi, F., Hrapovic, A., & Kozaric, S. (2025). Investigation of phytochemicals derived from Gentiana dinarica as potential drug candidates for colorectal cancer by computational approaches. Hacettepe Journal of Biology and Chemistry, 54(1), 9-19. https://doi.org/10.15671/hjbc.1712451
AMA
1.Akçeşme B, Abazi F, Hrapovic A, Kozaric S. Investigation of phytochemicals derived from Gentiana dinarica as potential drug candidates for colorectal cancer by computational approaches. HJBC. 2025;54(1):9-19. doi:10.15671/hjbc.1712451
Chicago
Akçeşme, Betül, Florina Abazi, Adna Hrapovic, and Selma Kozaric. 2025. “Investigation of Phytochemicals Derived from Gentiana Dinarica As Potential Drug Candidates for Colorectal Cancer by Computational Approaches”. Hacettepe Journal of Biology and Chemistry 54 (1): 9-19. https://doi.org/10.15671/hjbc.1712451.
EndNote
Akçeşme B, Abazi F, Hrapovic A, Kozaric S (December 1, 2025) Investigation of phytochemicals derived from Gentiana dinarica as potential drug candidates for colorectal cancer by computational approaches. Hacettepe Journal of Biology and Chemistry 54 1 9–19.
IEEE
[1]B. Akçeşme, F. Abazi, A. Hrapovic, and S. Kozaric, “Investigation of phytochemicals derived from Gentiana dinarica as potential drug candidates for colorectal cancer by computational approaches”, HJBC, vol. 54, no. 1, pp. 9–19, Dec. 2025, doi: 10.15671/hjbc.1712451.
ISNAD
Akçeşme, Betül - Abazi, Florina - Hrapovic, Adna - Kozaric, Selma. “Investigation of Phytochemicals Derived from Gentiana Dinarica As Potential Drug Candidates for Colorectal Cancer by Computational Approaches”. Hacettepe Journal of Biology and Chemistry 54/1 (December 1, 2025): 9-19. https://doi.org/10.15671/hjbc.1712451.
JAMA
1.Akçeşme B, Abazi F, Hrapovic A, Kozaric S. Investigation of phytochemicals derived from Gentiana dinarica as potential drug candidates for colorectal cancer by computational approaches. HJBC. 2025;54:9–19.
MLA
Akçeşme, Betül, et al. “Investigation of Phytochemicals Derived from Gentiana Dinarica As Potential Drug Candidates for Colorectal Cancer by Computational Approaches”. Hacettepe Journal of Biology and Chemistry, vol. 54, no. 1, Dec. 2025, pp. 9-19, doi:10.15671/hjbc.1712451.
Vancouver
1.Betül Akçeşme, Florina Abazi, Adna Hrapovic, Selma Kozaric. Investigation of phytochemicals derived from Gentiana dinarica as potential drug candidates for colorectal cancer by computational approaches. HJBC. 2025 Dec. 1;54(1):9-19. doi:10.15671/hjbc.1712451

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