Potential prediction of phenolic compounds in red ginger (Zingiber officinale var. rubrum) as an AT1R antagonist by bioinformatics approach for antihypertensive oral drug candidates

Hypertension is a high risk of heart disease and stroke, which is caused by vasoconstrictive arteries due to angiotensin II binds to angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT1R). Treatment of hypertension using the drugs angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) causes side effects of headaches, constipation, and diuretics. Phenolic compounds (10-gingerol, 8-gingerol, 6-gingerol) from red ginger (Zingiber officinale var. rubrum) were used for hypertensive herbal medicines. This study aims to predict the potency of 10-gingerol, 8-gingerol, 6-gingerol as AT1R antagonist by bioinformatics approach. This research was conducted using physicochemical properties, Pa test, pharmacokinetic test, and molecular docking of the three gingerol compounds and Losartan as drug control. The results show that 10-gingerol, 8-gingerol, 6-gingerol have good oral bioavailability, good vasodilator potential (Pa >7), hepatoprotective potential, vasoprotective potential, and antioxidant potential. Based on pharmacokinetic absorption, distribution, and excretion test, the three gingerol compounds showed higher results compared to the Losartan. The toxicity of the gingerol compounds is low, not hepatotoxic, whereas Losartan is hepatotoxic. Molecular docking showed that the three gingerol compounds and the Losartan were on one side of the binding to AT1R. The conclusion of this study is red ginger has potency as a candidate for oral drug hypertension.