Anti-inflammatory Activity of Polyphenols from Labisia pumila Leaves Extract

Abstract

Non-Steroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) represent a class of pharmaceutical agents that are frequently misused and misconstrued within the medical landscape. While demonstrably efficacious in providing transient pain relief, NSAIDs do not effectively address the fundamental etiology of pain and are associated with a spectrum of potential adverse effects. Labisia pumila var alata also known as "Kacip Fatimah" has been traditionally used which is attributed to its antioxidant properties. Nonetheless, little attempt has been made to examine its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory characteristics. This study determined the molecular interactions and inhibitory activity profiles of L. pumila methanolic extract (LPE) against the corresponding enzymes via in chemico and in silico approaches. In chemico analysis was done on antioxidant activity and anti-inflammatory properties of L. pumila. The findings indicated that LPE exhibit the potent anti-inflammatory activity. Through high-performance liquid chromatography, it was shown that LPE had the highest gallic acid concentration at 10.74 ± 2.23 mg/mL. LPE did not exhibit cytotoxicity up to 100 µg/mL and displayed optimal protective against UVB-irradiation at 50 µg/mL towards HSF1184 Fibroblast cell line. LPE exhibited potent anti-inflammatory activity as it inhibited elastase and COX-2. Molecular docking studies indicated that gallic acid has a good affinity for collagenase (˗5.68 kcal/mol), elastase (˗4.88 kcal/mol) and COX 2 (˗4.91 kcal/mol). These findings collectively suggested that L. pumila extract has significant potential for the formulation of the natural anti-inflammatory remedies which offer a safer alternative treatment for pain relief, especially for long-term use replacing the conventional NSAIDs medicines.