Acta Biochimica Indonesiana
Vol. 9 No. 1 (2026): Acta Biochimica Indonesiana

Anti-obesity potential of Eurycoma longifolia: molecular docking and experimental validation in diet-induced obese rats

Dimas Ikhsan Airlangga (Biochemistry and Biomolecular Laboratory, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Lambung Mangkurat University, Banjarmasin, Indonesia)
Hanifa Rizky Rahmawati (AIDS. Toxoplasma, Opportunistic Disease and Malaria Research Group, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Brawijaya, Malang, East Java, Indonesia)
Triawanti (Biochemistry and Biomolecular Laboratory, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Lambung Mangkurat University, Banjarmasin, Indonesia)
Muhammad Alrizal Rahman (Undergraduate Students, Undergraduate Medical Study Program, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Lambung Mangkurat University, Banjarmasin, Indonesia)



Article Info

Publish Date
06 Feb 2026

Abstract

Background: Obesity is associated with hyperlipidemia and enhanced adipogenesis mediated by HMGR and GPDH enzymes. Eurycoma longifolia represents a potential natural therapeutic alternative to statins for obesity management. Objective: To investigate the anti-obesity potential of E. longifolia compounds through HMGR and GPDH inhibition using integrated in silico and in vivo approaches. Methods: Molecular docking was performed using AutoDock Vina to evaluate interactions between seven bioactive compounds and HMGR/GPDH proteins. Validation was confirmed by RMSD values below 2 Å. Binding affinities and dissociation constants were analyzed. In vivo study employed Wistar rats fed high-calorie, high-fat diet for 12 weeks, followed by four weeks of E. longifolia extract treatment at varying doses. Body weight and intra-abdominal fat were measured. Results: Three compounds exhibited binding affinities equivalent to atorvastatin against HMGR (-8.4 kcal/mol). Four compounds demonstrated stronger affinity than metformin against GPDH. Extract administration significantly reduced intra-abdominal fat in a dose-dependent manner (p = 0.000). Conclusion: E. longifolia compounds demonstrate dual inhibitory potential against HMGR and GPDH through computational modeling, with experimental validation confirming significant reduction in visceral adiposity in obese rats.

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Journal Info

Abbrev

actabioina

Publisher

Subject

Biochemistry, Genetics & Molecular Biology

Description

Acta Biochimica Indonesiana (ActaBiolna) is a peer-reviewed and open-access journal that disseminates original research articles and review articles covering diverse topics in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. The journal is published biannually by Indonesian Society for Biochemistry and Molecular ...