Using molecular docking to investigate the anti-breast cancer activity of low molecular weight compounds present on wild mushrooms

Mushrooms represent an unlimited source of compounds with anti-tumour and immunostimulating properties, and their intake has been shown to reduce the risk of breast cancer. A large number of low molecular weight (LMW) compounds present in mushrooms have been identified, including phenolic acids, flavonoids, tocopherols, carotenoids, sugars and fatty acids. In order to evaluate which wild mushroom LMW compounds may be involved in anti-breast cancer activity we selected a representative dataset of 43 LMW compounds and performed molecular docking against three known protein targets involved in breast cancer (aromatase, estrone sulfatase and 17β-HSD-1) using AutoDock4 as docking software. The estimated inhibition constants for all LMW compounds were determined, and the potential structure-activity relationships for the compounds with the best estimated inhibition constants are discussed for each compound family. 4-O-caffeoylquinic, naringin and lycopene stand out as the top-ranked potential inhibitors for aromatase, estrone sulfatase and 17β-HSD1, respectively, and the 3-D docked conformations for these compounds are discussed in detail. This information provides several interesting starting points for further development of aromatase, estrone sulfatase and 17β-HSD1 inhibitors.