Integrated Computational Investigation of Cannabis sativa Phytoconstituents as Putative Multi-Target Inhibitors in Skin Cancer: A Molecular Docking, Dynamics, and ADMET Profiling Study
<b>Background</b>: Skin cancer progression is driven by the dysregulation of key oncogenic signaling pathways, including EGFR, BRAF V600E, and TGF-β, which collectively promote tumor proliferation, invasion, and metastatic progression. Targeting these pathways using multitarget natural modulators represents a promising therapeutic strategy. <b>Methods</b>: In this study, forty-nine phytoconstituents from <i>Cannabis sativa</i> were evaluated using an integrated computational approach to explore their inhibitory potential against EGFR, BRAF V600E, and the TGF-β receptor. Molecular docking was performed to assess binding affinities and interaction profiles, followed by ADMET analysis to evaluate pharmacokinetic and safety properties. The top-ranked compounds were further investigated using 200 ns molecular dynamics simulations and MM-GBSA binding free energy calculations to assess the stability and strength of protein-ligand interactions. <b>Results</b>: Several phytoconstituents exhibited strong binding affinities toward the target proteins, formed stable interactions with key active-site residues, and demonstrated favorable pharmacokinetic profiles with acceptable safety characteristics. Molecular dynamics simulations confirmed the structural stability of the selected protein-ligand complexes, while MM-GBSA analysis supported their favorable binding energetics. <b>Conclusions</b>: These findings suggest that <i>Cannabis sativa</i> phytoconstituents may represent a promising source of multitarget modulators capable of attenuating EGFR, BRAF V600E, and TGF-β driven oncogenic signaling in skin cancer. This study provides a mechanistic framework that supports further in vitro validation and the development of cannabis-derived therapeutic candidates for targeted skin cancer management.
Authors
- Abdelouahid Samadi (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1766-4471)
- Lamiae El Bouamri
- Imane Yamar
- Ibtissam Lakrim
- Mohammed Bouachrine
- Samir Chtita
- Salma Laaouina
- Hassan Nour
Institutions
- United Arab Emirates University (AE)
- Université Moulay Ismail de Meknes (MA)
- University of Hassan II Casablanca (MA)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Pharmaceuticals
- Published
- 2026-02-13
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.3390/ph19020315
- Primary Topic
- Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00