Deciphering the Caffeine-Specific Neuroprotective Axis: Comparative Docking and Pharmacokinetic Evaluation of the Coffee Phytocomplex
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Background
Epidemiological studies consistently report inverse associations between caffeinated coffee consumption and dementia risk. However, the molecular mechanisms linking coffee-derived phytochemicals to neuroprotection remain only partially understood.
Objective
To evaluate, through integrated in silico pharmacology, the relative contribution of adenosine receptor modulation versus direct amyloidogenic enzyme and kinase inhibition in mediating the putative neuroprotective effects of major coffee constituents.
Methods
Molecular docking analyses were conducted for caffeine, paraxanthine, chlorogenic acid, trigonelline, cafestol, and kahweol against adenosine A2A and A1 receptors (A2AR, A1R), β-secretase 1 (BACE1), glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK-3β), and NLRP3 inflammasome components. Docking was performed using the CB-Dock2 platform. Binding affinities, interaction patterns, and ligand efficiency metrics were assessed. Blood–brain barrier permeability and ADMET properties were predicted using pkCSM.
Results
Caffeine and paraxanthine demonstrated structurally coherent binding within the orthosteric pockets of A2AR and A1R, supported by favorable predicted blood–brain barrier penetration and high unbound fractions. Ligand efficiency analysis identified adenosine receptors as the most pharmacologically plausible targets for small xanthine derivatives. Although larger phytochemicals exhibited stronger absolute docking scores at BACE1, GSK-3β, and NLRP3, predicted pharmacokinetic constraints suggest a small biological effect due to a limited central exposure.
Conclusions
These findings support an adenosine receptor–centered mechanism as the dominant molecular axis linking caffeinated coffee consumption to reduced dementia risk, favoring neuroinflammatory and signaling modulation over direct enzymatic inhibition. Experimental validation is warranted to confirm translational relevance.
