Acta Pharmaciae Indonesia : Acta Pharm Indo
Vol 13 No 2 (2025): Acta Pharmaciae Indonesia: Acta Pharm Indo

Propolis bioactive compounds as potential topical agents for atopic dermatitis: an in silico pharmacokinetic screening and molecular docking study

Naura Nurnahari (Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Science, Institut Teknologi Sumatera, South Lampung 25365, Lampung, Indonesia)
Adinda Salsabila (Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Science, Institut Teknologi Sumatera, South Lampung 25365, Lampung, Indonesia)
Tantri Liris Nareswari (Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Science, Institut Teknologi Sumatera, South Lampung 35365, Lampung, Indonesia)
Inggit Ariana Herawati (Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Science, Institut Teknologi Sumatera, South Lampung 25365, Lampung, Indonesia)
Riska Arini (Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Science, Institut Teknologi Sumatera, South Lampung 25365, Lampung, Indonesia)
Melati Utami (Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Science, Institut Teknologi Sumatera, South Lampung 25365, Lampung, Indonesia)
Theresia Sarah (Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Science, Institut Teknologi Sumatera, South Lampung 25365, Lampung, Indonesia)
Yasinda Oktariza (Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Science, Institut Teknologi Sumatera, South Lampung 25365, Lampung, Indonesia)
Annisaa Siti Zulaicha (Department of Cosmetic Engineering, Faculty of Industrial Technology, Institut Teknologi Sumatera, South Lampung, 35365, Indonesia)



Article Info

Publish Date
09 Jun 2026

Abstract

Background: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a common chronic inflammatory skin disease. Current treatments, including corticosteroids and calcineurin inhibitors, are effective but limited by long-term adverse effects. Propolis possesses antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and immunomodulatory properties. This study evaluated propolis bioactive compounds as topical therapeutic candidates for AD using molecular docking analysis. Methods: Bioactive compounds from propolis were screened for pharmacokinetic and ADMET properties relevant to topical application. Molecular docking was performed against key protein targets implicated in AD pathogenesis to evaluate binding affinities and interaction profiles versus reference ligands. Results: A total of 31 compounds fulfilled the pharmacokinetic and toxicity criteria for topical use. Tschimgin showed the strongest affinity toward secretory phospholipase A₂ (ΔG = −8.00 kcal/mol; Ki = 1.37 µM) and favorable binding to FK506-binding protein 12 (ΔG = −7.88 kcal/mol; Ki = 1.68 µM), suggesting multitarget potential. Suberosin showed the highest affinity toward PDE4 (ΔG = −6.86 kcal/mol; Ki = 9.35 µM), exceeding the reference drug roflumilast (ΔG = −6.47 kcal/mol; Ki = 18.06 µM). Conclusion: These findings suggest propolis contains bioactive compounds relevant to multiple AD-associated targets. Tschimgin and suberosin may serve as lead compounds for developing safer topical therapies, pending further in vitro and in vivo validation.

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Journal Info

Abbrev

api

Publisher

Subject

Medicine & Pharmacology

Description

Journal of Acta Pharmaciae Indonesia is a journal published twice a year by Pharmacy Department, Jenderal Soedirman University, Purwokerto with the Number of ISSN 2337-8433 and E-ISSN 2621-4520. Our journal discusses various pharmaceutical fields in terms of Pharmaceutics & Pharmaceutical ...