Computational Investigation of the Therapeutic Potential of Detarium senegalense in the Management of Erectile Dysfunction

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a multifactorial social problem affecting men worldwide. While phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors (PDE5) like sildenafil are commonly used, they often present side effects, underscoring the need for alternative therapies. Therefore, this study investigated the potential of phytochemicals from <i>Detarium senegalense</i> in the management of ED. A library of phytochemicals from <i>Detarium senegalense</i> was generated, prepared, and interacted with six key enzymes implicated in ED, including PDE5, using the Schrödinger Maestro suite. The results identified catechin, epicatechin, and gallic acid as the leading compounds with significant binding affinities for the targeted enzymes. Catechin and epicatechin (-9.877 and -11.408 kcal/mol, respectively) exhibited comparable binding affinities to sildenafil (-11.926 kcal/mol) on PDE5. The MD simulation results also revealed superior stability and ability to maintain interaction with key amino acids at the active site of PDE5 over the entire simulation period for these compounds. These compounds also demonstrated favorable ADMET profiles over sildenafil, including high gastrointestinal absorption and no violation of Lipinski's rule, indicating good bioavailability and drug likeness. These findings suggest that flavonoids from <i>Detarium senegalense</i>, especially catechin and epicatechin, have potential in the management of ED by interacting with multiple targets involved in its pathogenesis.