Evaluation of morning glory (Jacquemontia tamnifolia (L.) Griseb) leaves for antioxidant, antinociceptive, anticoagulant and cytotoxic activities

Apoptosis-inducing anti-proliferative and quantitative phytochemical profiling with in silico study of antioxidant-rich Leea aequata L. leaves

Natural products have been important parts of traditional medicine since ancient times, with various promising health effects. Leea aequata (L. aequata), a natural product, has been widely used for treating several diseases due to its promising pharmacological activities. Therefore, the present study aimed to explore the phytochemical profiling and molecular docking of the antioxidant-rich part of L. aequata leaves and its antiproliferative activity. L. aequata leaves were extracted with methanol, followed by fractionation with the respective solvents to obtain the petroleum ether, chloroform, ethyl acetate, and aqueous fractions. The antioxidant activity was evaluated by spectrophotometric methods. The cytotoxic and antiproliferative activities were detected using MTT colorimetric and confocal microscopy methods, respectively. Phytochemical compositions were analyzed using gas chromatography‒mass spectrometry analysis. Computer aided (molecular docking SwissADME, AdmetSAR and pass prediction) analyses were undertaken to sort out the best-fit phytochemicals present in the plant responsible for antioxidant and anticancer effects. Among the fractions, the ethyl acetate fraction was the most abundant polyphenol-rich fraction and showed the highest antioxidant, reducing power, and free radical scavenging activities. Compared to untreated MCF-7 cells, ethyl acetate fraction-treated MCF-7 cells showed an increase in apoptotic characteristics, such as membrane blebbing, chromatin condensation, and nuclear fragmentation, causing apoptosis and decreased proliferation of HeLa and MCF-7 cells. Furthermore, gas chromatography mass spectrometry data revealed that the ethyl acetate fraction contained 16 compounds, including methyl esters of long-chain fatty acids, which are the major chemical constituents. Moreover, hexadecanoic acid, methyl ester; 9-octadecenoic acid (Z)-, methyl ester; 9,12-octadecadienoic acid, methyl ester (Z, Z) and phenol, 2,4-bis(1,1-dimethylethyl) are known to have antioxidant and cytotoxic activity, as confirmed by computer-aided models. A strong correlation was observed between the antioxidant and polyphenolic contents and the anticancer activity. In conclusion, we explored the possibility that L. aequata could be a promising source of antioxidants and anticancer agents with a high phytochemical profile.

Lasia spinosa (L.) thw. attenuates chemically induced behavioral disorders in experimental and computational models

Lasia spinosa (L.) Thw. (L. spinosa) is widely used as a folk remedy for different physical ailments, and its neurological effects have yet to be assessed. Phytochemicals status of L. spinosa was evaluated by GC-MS analysis. Membrane stabilization test, elevated plus maze (EPM) tests and hole board tests (HBT), tail suspension tests (TST) and thiopental sodium-induced sleeping tests (TISTT) were used to assess anti-inflammatory, anxiolytic and anti-depressant activity. Fourteen compounds have been recorded from GC-MS analysis. The LSCTF showed 68.66 ± 2.46% hemolysis protections (p < 0.05) at 500 μg/mL, whereas LSCHF and LSNHF demonstrated efficiency rates of 68.6 ± 1.46% and 52.46 ± 5.28%, respectively. During EPM tests, LSNHF and LSCTF significantly (p < 0.001) increased the time spent in the open arm (59.88 ± 0.65 s and 50.77 ± 0.67 s, respectively) at the dosages of 400 mg/kg. In HBT, samples exhibited dose-dependent anxiolytic activity. LSNHF and LSCTF showed a significant (p < 0.001) hole poking tendency and a high number of head dips (78.66 ± 1.05 and 65.17 ± 0.96, respectively) at the higher dose. In TST, at 400 mg/kg dose demonstrated significantly (p < 0.001) smaller amounts of time immobile, at 81.33 ± 1.67 s and 83.50 ± 1.90 s, respectively, compared to the control group. A consistent finding was also observed in TISTT. The computer-assisted studies on the identified compounds strongly support the aforementioned biological activities, indicating that L. spinosa has potential as a source of medication for treating neuropsychiatric and inflammatory diseases.

Pharmacological insights into Chukrasia velutina bark: Experimental and computer-aided approaches

BACKGROUND

Chukrasia velutina is an enthnomedicinally used plant reported to have significant medicinal values. The present study aimed to explore the pharmacological activities of bark methanol extract using in vitro, in vivo and in silico models.

METHODS

The study was designed to investigate the pharmacological effects of methanol extract of Chukrasia velutina bark (MECVB) through in vitro, in vivo and in silico assays. Analgesic activity was tested using formalin-induced nociception and acetic acid-induced writhing assays while the antipyretic effect was tested using yeast-induced hyperthermia in mice model. The antioxidant effect was tested using the DPPH and reducing power assay and the cytotoxic screening was tested using the brine shrimp lethality bioassay. In addition, in silico studies were conducted using computer aided methods.

RESULTS

In the acetic acid-induced writhing assay, the extract showed 28.36% and 56.16% inhibition of writhing for doses of 200 and 400 mg/kg, respectively. Moreover, a dose-dependent formalin-induced licking response was observed in both early and late phase. In yeast-induced pyrexia, the MECVB exhibited (p < 0.05) antipyretic effect. The extract demonstrated an IC50 value of 78.86 μg/ml compared with ascorbic acid (IC50 23.53 μg/ml) in the DPPH scavenging assay. The compounds sitosterol, 5,7-dimethoxycoumarin and scopoletin were seen be effective in molecular docking scores against COX-I (2OYE), COX-II (6COX) and human peroxiredoxin 5 (1HD2). In ADME/T analysis, 5,7-dimethoxycoumarin and scopoletin satisfied Lipinski's rule of five and thus are potential drug candidates.

CONCLUSION

The bark of Chukrasia velutina showed significant analgesic and antipyretic properties and is a potential source of natural anti-oxidative agents.

Chemical profiles and pharmacological insights of Anisomeles indica Kuntze: An experimental chemico-biological interaction

Anisomeles indica (L.) Kuntze is an ethnomedicinally important plant that has long been used in traditional medicine to treat a variety of ailments, including dyspepsia, abdominal pain, colic, allergies, inflammation, and rheumatic arthritis. However, the scientific framework underlying these medicinal properties is not well known. This study aimed to investigate the antidepressive, antidiarrheal, thrombolytic, and anti-inflammatory potential of a methanol extract of A. indica (MeOH-AI). The potential bioactive compounds in the MeOH-AI were identified using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), and antidepressant activities were evaluated using the tail suspension test (TST) and forced swim test (FST). Antidiarrheal effects were also assayed in castor oil-induced diarrhea and gastrointestinal motility studies. The anti-inflammatory activities were explored by examining the effects on protein inhibition and denaturation in heat- and hypotonic solution-induced hemolysis assays. The thrombolytic activity was evaluated using the clot lysis test in human blood. BIOVIA and Schrödinger Maestro (v11.1) were applied for docking analysis to determine binding interactions, and the absorption, distribution, metabolisms, excretion/toxicity (ADME/T) properties of bioactive compounds were explored using a web-based method. The GC-MS analysis of MeOH-AI revealed the presence of several bioactive compounds. MeOH-AI administration resulted in significant (p < 0.01) reductions in the immobility times for both the FST and TST compared with those in the control group. MeOH-AI also induced significant (p < 0.01) reductions in castor oil-induced diarrhea severity and gastrointestinal motility in a mouse model. In addition, the in vitro anti-inflammatory and thrombolytic activity studies produced remarkable responses. The binding assay showed that 4-dehydroxy-N-(4,5-methylenedioxy-2-nitrobenzylidene) tyramine interacts favorably with monoamine oxidase and serotonin and M3 muscarinic acetylcholine receptors, displaying good pharmacokinetic properties, which may mediate the effects of MeOH-AI on depression and diarrhea. Overall, the research findings indicated that MeOH-AI has significant antidepressant, antidiarrheal, and anti-inflammatory effects and may represent an alternative source of novel therapeutic factors.

Antioxidative role of palm grass rhizome ameliorates anxiety and depression in experimental rodents and computer-aided model

Palm grass (Curculigo recurvata) is an ethnomedicinally important herb reported to have significant medicinal values. The present study aimed to evaluate the antidepressant and anxiolytic activities of a methanol extract of C. recurvata rhizome (Me-RCR) through different approaches. The antidepressant and anxiolytic properties of Me-RCR were assessed by using elevated plus maze (EPM), hole-board (HBT), tail suspension (TST), and forced swimming (FST) tests in Swiss Albino mice. The in-depth antioxidative potential of Me-RCR was also evaluated through DPPH radical scavenging activity, ferric-reducing power capacity, total phenolic, flavonoid, flavonol, and antioxidant content analysis. Computational investigations were performed using computer-aided methods for screening the anxiolytic, antidepressant, and antioxidative activities of the selected lead molecules. Treatment with Me-RCR (200 and 400 mg/kg, b.w.) notably increased the number of open arm entries and the time spent in the EPM test. In the HBT, Me-RCR exhibited significant anxiolytic activity at a dose of 200 mg/kg, whereas similar activity was observed at 400 mg/kg in the EPM test. Me-RCR significantly decreased the immobility time in a dose-dependent manner in both TST and FST. The IC₅₀ for DPPH and reducing power capacity assay were found to be 18.56 and 193 μg/mL, respectively. Promising outcomes were noted for the determination of total phenolics, flavonoids, flavonols, and antioxidant capacity. In the case of computer-aided studies, nyasicoside showed promising binding energy for antidepressant and anxiolytic activities, whereas isocurculigine demonstrated promising effects as an antioxidant. Overall, these findings suggest that Me-RCR could be a favourable therapeutic candidate for the treatment of mental and psychiatric disorders, as well as a good source of antioxidants.

Involvement of Opioid System and TRPM8/TRPA1 Channels in the Antinociceptive Effect of Spirulina platensis

Spirulina platensis is a "super-food" and has attracted researchers' attention due to its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and analgesic properties. Herein, we investigated the antinociceptive effects of Spirulina in different rodent behavior models of inflammatory pain. Male Swiss mice were treated with Spirulina (3-300 mg/kg, p.o.), indomethacin (10 mg/kg, p.o.), or vehicle (0.9% NaCl 10 mL/kg). Behavioral tests were performed with administration of acetic acid (0.6%, i.p.), formalin 2.7% (formaldehyde 1%, i.pl.), menthol (1.2 µmol/paw, i.pl.), cinnamaldehyde (10 nmol/paw, i.pl.), capsaicin (1.6 µg/paw, i.pl.), glutamate (20 µmol/paw, i.pl.), or naloxone (1 mg/kg, i.p.). The animals were also exposed to the rotarod and open field test to determine possible effects of Spirulina on locomotion and motor coordination. The quantitative phytochemical assays exhibited that Spirulina contains significant concentrations of total phenols and flavonoid contents, as well as it showed a powerful antioxidant effect with the highest scavenging activity. Oral administration of Spirulina completely inhibited the abdominal contortions induced by acetic acid (ED₅₀ = 20.51 mg/kg). Spirulina treatment showed significant inhibition of formalin-induced nociceptive behavior during the inflammatory phase, and the opioid-selective antagonist markedly blocked this effect. Furthermore, our data indicate that the mechanisms underlying Spirulina analgesia appear to be related to its ability to modulate TRMP8 and TRPA1, but not by TRPV1 or glutamatergic system. Spirulina represents an orally active and safe natural analgesic that exhibits great therapeutic potential for managing inflammatory pain disorders.

Biological Evaluation, DFT Calculations and Molecular Docking Studies on the Antidepressant and Cytotoxicity Activities of Cycas pectinata Buch.-Ham. Compounds

Cycas pectinata Buch.-Ham. is commonly used in folk medicine against various disorders. The present study investigated the antidepressant and cytotoxicity activity of methanol extract of C. pectinata (MECP) along with quantitative phytochemical analysis by GC-MS method. Here, the GC-MS study of MECP presented 41 compounds, among which most were fatty acids, esters, terpenoids and oximes. The antidepressant activity was assessed by the forced swimming test (FST) and tail suspension test (TST) models. In contrast, MECP (200 and 400 mg/kg) exhibited a significant and dose-dependent manner reduction in immobility comparable with fluoxetine (10 mg/kg) and phenelzine (20 mg/kg). MECP showed a weak toxicity level in the brine shrimp lethality bioassay (ED50: 358.65 µg/mL) comparable to the standard drug vincristine sulfate (ED50: 2.39 µg/mL). Three compounds from the GC-MS study were subjected to density functional theory (DFT) calculations, where only cyclopentadecanone oxime showed positive and negative active binding sites. Cyclopentadecanone oxime also showed a good binding interaction in suppressing depression disorders by blocking monoamine oxidase and serotonin receptors with better pharmacokinetic and toxicological properties. Overall, the MECP exhibited a significant antidepressant activity with moderate toxicity, which required further advance studies to identify the mechanism.

Deciphering the Pharmacological Properties of Methanol Extract of Psychotria calocarpa Leaves by In Vivo, In Vitro and In Silico Approaches

The present study explores the neuropharmacological, antinociceptive, antidiarrheal, antioxidant, thrombolytic and cytotoxic activity of methanol extract of Psychotria calocarpa leaves (MEPC). In anxiolytic activity testing of MEPC by elevated plus maze test, hole-board test and light-dark test, the extract exhibited a dose-dependent reduction of anxiety while the open field test observed a decreased locomotion. The administration of MEPC revealed a significant dose-dependent reduction of depressant behavior in forced swimming and tail suspension test. Additionally, the antinociceptive and antidiarrheal activity exposed a significant reduction of nociception and diarrheal behavior at the highest dose. In addition, a strong antioxidant activity was observed in DPPH-free radical-scavenging assay (IC50 = 461.05 μg/mL), total phenol content (118.31 ± 1.12 mg) and total flavonoid content (100.85 ± 0.97 mg). The significant clot-lysis activity was also observed with moderate toxicity (LC50 = 247.92 μg/mL) level in the lethality assay of brine shrimp. Moreover, in silico molecular docking study showed that the compound Psychotriasine could offer promising active site interactions for binding proteins. Furthermore, ADME/T and toxicological properties of the compound satisfied the Lipinski's rule of five and Veber rules for drug-like potential and toxicity level. Overall, MEPC had a potential neuropharmacological, antinociceptive, antidiarrheal and antioxidant activity that warranted further investigation.

Curculigo recurvata W.T.Aiton exhibits anti-nociceptive and anti-diarrheal effects in Albino mice and an in silico model

BACKGROUND

Curculigo recurvata (C. recurvata) is an enthnomedicinally important herb reported to have significant medicinal values. The present study aimed to explore the in vivo and in silico anti-nociceptive and anti-diarrheal effects of a C. recurvate rhizome methanol extract (Me-RCR).

METHODS

The analgesic effects of Me-RCR were assessed using acetic acid-induced writhing and the formalin-induced flicking test. The drugs were administered intraperitoneally (IP) at doses of 200 and 400 mg/kg body weight (bw). Anti-diarrheal activity was evaluated by assessing intestinal motility, hypersecretion, and fecal score in mice at oral doses of 200 and 400 mg/kg·bw. Computer facilitated analyses for anti-nociceptive and anti-diarrheal activities of three isolated compounds from C. recurvata were undertaken to identify the best-fit phytoconstituents.

RESULTS

The Me-RCR showed significant (P < .05) peripheral anti-nociception at the highest dose. The extract inhibited both early and late phases of nociception in the formalin-induced writhing test. In the castor oil-induced diarrhoea model, the extract significantly (P < .05) prolonged the onset time of diarrhoea, inhibited percentage of diarrhoea, and decreased both the volume and weight of intestinal contents. Rates of intestinal fluid accumulation inhibition were (33.61 ± 1.00)% and (46.44 ± 0.89)% at Me-RCR doses of 200 and 400 mg/kg·bw, respectively. Moreover, a significant (P < .05) reduction in gastrointestinal motility was observed. An absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion and/or toxicity (ADME/T) test showed that the selected compounds yielded promising results, satisfying Lipinski's rule of five for predicting drug-like potential. Notably, of the three phytoconstituents curculigine and isocurculigine possessed the highest affinity for the COX-1 and COX-2. Isocurculigine was also identified as the most effective anti-diarrheal compound in the computer-facilitated model.

CONCLUSION

An extract of the plant C. recurvata showed potential analgesic and anti-diarrheal activity due to the presence of one or more active secondary metabolite(s).

Chemical profiles, pharmacological properties, and in silico studies provide new insights on Cycas pectinata

The current study aimed to qualitatively and quantitatively determine the phytochemical components of Cycas pectinata methanol extract (MECP), along with its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, thrombolytic, locomotor, anxiolytic, analgesic, and antidiarrheal activities. The in vitro antioxidant activity was evaluated by DPPH scavenging assay and the total phenol and total flavonoid contents, while the anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated by a protein denaturation assay. The in vivo locomotor effects were examined using the open field test and hole-cross test. The anxiolytic effect was examined using the elevated plus maze (EPM) test, hole-board test (HBT), and light-dark test (LDT), while the analgesic activity was investigated using the acetic acid-induced writhing test. The antidiarrheal effect was evaluated by castor oil-induced diarrhea and gastrointestinal motility. Ten bioactive compounds were selected on the basis of their biological activities and further investigated using in silico molecular docking simulation to correlate with the identified pharmacological properties. Additionally, the ADME properties of the compounds were evaluated according to their drug-likeness profile. MECP had a maximum total phenol content of 209.85 ± 3.40 gallic acid equivalents/g extract and a total flavonoid content of 105.17 ± 3.45 quercetin equivalents/g extract, with an IC50 value of 631.44 μg/mL. MECP (62.5-500 μg/mL) elicited 20.96-38.12% decreased protein denaturation compared to diclofenac sodium (65.40-83.50%), while a 35.72% (P < 0.001) clot lysis activity was observed for the 10 mg/mL concentration. MECP induced a dose-dependent reduction in locomotor activity, with a significant anxiolytic effect. In the analgesic test, MECP (200, 400 mg/kg) showed a 45.12% and 58.82% inhibition in analgesia, and the 400 mg/kg dose elicited a 27.5% inhibition in intestinal motility. These findings suggest that MECP might be effective in treating antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and neuropharmacological defects, but this requires further study.

Phenolic contents-based assessment of therapeutic potential of Syzygium cumini leaves extract

Syzygium cumini (S. cumini) is an evergreen tropical plant that is well recognized for its therapeutic potential of common diseases. In this study, the therapeutic potential and biomedical application of S. cumini are assessed in vitro and in vivo to find its effectiveness for different complications. The methanolic crude extract of S. cumini leaves were screened for total phenolic and flavonoid content. In vitro, the DPPH scavenging assay, XTT assay, prothrombin and activated partial thromboplastin time were used to assess antioxidant, cytoprotective and thrombolytic activity of the S. cumini extract, respectively. The anti-inflammatory potential and the analgesic activity of the S. cumini extract were analyzed in rabbits by the Carrageenan induced paw edema method and the writhing method, respectively. Phytochemical analysis showed the presence of considerable amounts of total phenolic (369.75 ± 17.9 mg GAE/g) and flavonoid (75.8 ± 5.3 mgRE/g) content in the S. cumini extract. The DPPH assay demonstrated a higher antioxidant potential (IC-50 value of 133 μg/ml), which was comparable to the IC-50 of ascorbic acid (122.4 μg/ml). Moreover, the S. cumini extract showed a dose dependent cytoprotective effect against H₂O₂ treated bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs). S. cumini also possesses significant anticoagulant activity with a prothrombin time of 28.3 ± 1.8 seconds vs 15.8 ± 0.2 seconds of control, p<0.05. The leaf extract also demonstrated an analgesic effect in rabbits as indicated by the decrease in writhing (12.2 ± 1.7 control vs. 3.7 ± 0.6 treated) and anti-inflammatory activity in rabbits paw with a protection against inflammation of 64.1 ± 2.4%. Our findings suggest that the methanolic extract of S. cumini leaves has antioxidant, cytoprotective, anticoagulant, analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties, and therefore, can be applied for treating cardiovascular diseases and cancers.

In vitro antioxidant and cholinesterase inhibitory activities of Elatostema papillosum leaves and correlation with their phytochemical profiles: a study relevant to the treatment of Alzheimer's disease

Background

Alzheimer’s disease (AD), one of the major causes of dementia, is an overwhelming neurodegenerative disease that particularly affects the brain, leading to memory loss and impairment of language and judgment capacity. The aim of the present study was to investigate the antioxidant and anticholinesterase properties of the leaves of Elatostema papillosum (EPL) and correlate with their phytochemical profiles, which are relevant to the treatment of AD.

Methods

The dried coarse powder of EPL was extracted with 80% methanol (EPL-M80) by cold extraction method. The resultant EPL-M80 was assessed for acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) inhibitory activity by the Ellman method. The antioxidant activity was determined by DPPH (1, 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl) and hydroxyl radical scavenging assays. Quantitative phytochemical (phenolic and flavonoid contents) analysis of endogenous substances in EPL-M80 was performed by standard spectrophotometric methods.

Results

EPL-M80 significantly (p < 0.05) inhibited AChE and BChE activity with IC₅₀ of 165.40 ± 4.01 and 213.81 ± 3.57 μg/mL, respectively in a dose-dependent manner. Additionally, EPL-M80 exhibited strong radical scavenging activity against DPPH (IC₅₀ = 32.35 ± 0.68 μg/mL) and hydroxyl radical (IC₅₀ = 19.67 ± 1.42 μg/mL) when compared to that of standards. EPL-M80 was found to be rich in phenolic (23.74 mg gallic acid equivalent/g of dry extract) and flavonoid (31.18 mg quercetin equivalent/g of dry extract) content. Furthermore, a positive correlation (p < 0.001) was observed between the total phenolics and antioxidant as well as the anticholinesterase potential.

Conclusions

The marked inhibition of AChE and BChE, and potent antioxidant activity of the leaves of Elatostema papillosum highlight its potential to provide an effective treatment for AD.