Title

Molecular docking analysis of IL-6 and TNF-alpha with phytochemicals from Nilavaagai Kiyazham (decoction) used in Siddha medicine

Authors

G. Nivetha¹, M. SriSakthiLogisha²*, V. Subha³, K. Sowmiya⁴, N.J. Muthukumar⁵ & V. Mahalakshmi⁶

Affiliation

¹Department of Varmam Maruthuvam, National Institute of Siddha, the Tamil Nadu Dr. MGR Medical University, Chennai, India; ²Department of Sirappu Maruthuvam, National Institute of Siddha, the Tamil Nadu Dr. MGR Medical University, Chennai, India; ³Residential Medical Officer, National Institute of Siddha, Chennai, India; ⁴Consultant, Aaruthra Siddha Varmam Clinic, Vadapalani, Chennai, India; ⁵Central Council for Research in Siddha, the Tamil Nadu Dr. MGR Medical University, Chennai, India; ⁶Department of Siddhar Yoga Maruthuvam, National Institute of Siddha, the Tamil Nadu Dr. MGR Medical University, Chennai, India; *Corresponding author

Email

G. Nivetha - E-mail: nivetha002@gmail.com

M. SriSakthiLogisha - E-mail: srisakthi2727@gmail.com

V. Subha - E-mail: subhaveNVKat2012@gmail.com

K. Sowmiya - E-mail: sowmiyapreety@gmail.com

N.J. Muthukumar - E-mail: njmuthukumar@gmail.com

V. Mahalakshmi - E-mail: rvmahalakshmi85@gmail.com

Article Type

Research Article

Date

Received October 1, 2025; Revised October 31, 2025; Accepted October 31, 2025, Published October 31, 2025

Abstract

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative musculoskeletal disorder marked by progressive cartilage degradation, synovial inflammation and subchondral bone remodeling, driven by pro-inflammatory mediators such as interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α). While non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) remain the standard treatment, their long-term use is constrained by adverse effects, necessitating safer, multi-targeted therapeutic alternatives. Nilavaagai Kiyazham (decoction), a classical Siddha polyherbal formulation composed of 26 botanicals, has been traditionally indicated for Vadha (gas related) disorders, aligning with osteoarthritic symptomatology. Therefore, it is of interest to assess the binding efficacy of selected phytoconstituents such as Tinosporide, α-tocopherol and Apigenin with IL-6 and TNF-α. The compounds demonstrated high binding affinities with multiple key interactions at active sites, indicating their potential to inhibit inflammatory signaling pathways implicated in OA pathogenesis. Thus, data substantiate the anti-inflammatory claims of Nilavaagai Kiyazham and support its integration as a complementary therapeutic modality in OA management, warranting further pharmacodynamics and clinical evaluation.

Keywords

Nilavaagai Kiyazham, IL-6 (Interleukin-6) And TNF-Alpha (Tumor Necrosis Factor-Alpha), molecular docking, osteoarthritis, phytocomponents, ADME

Citation

Nivetha et al. Bioinformation 21(10): 3575-3581 (2025)

Edited by

P Kangueane

ISSN

0973-2063

Publisher

Biomedical Informatics

License

This is an Open Access article which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly credited. This is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License.