Abstract
When tested in the acetic acid-induced writhing and formalin-induced paw-licking tests, the ethanol extract of Vernonia patula (VP) aerial parts showed significant antinociceptive activity. In neuropharmacological tests, it also significantly delayed the onset of sleep, increased the duration of sleeping time, and significantly reduced the locomotor activity and exploratory behaviour of mice. Five phenolic compounds, namely gallic acid, vanillic acid, caffeic acid, quercetin and kaempferol, were detected in VP following HPLC-DAD analysis. The presence of these phenolic compounds in VP provides some support for the observed antinociceptive and sedative effects. A computational study was performed to predict the binding affinity of gallic acid, vanillic acid, caffeic acid, quercetin and kaempferol towards the cannabinoid type 1 (CB1) receptor. Caffeic and vanillic acid showed the highest probable ligand efficiency indices towards the CB1 target. Vanillic acid displayed the best blood-brain barrier penetration prediction score. These findings provide some evidence for the traditional use of VP to treat pain.
Highlights
Vernonia patula (Dryand.) Merr. (Asteraceae), known as purple fleabane, is an annual weed widely distributed throughout Bangladesh
We conducted a molecular docking study to predict the interactions between the phenolic compounds detected in V. patula (VP) and the cannabinoid type 1 (CB1) receptor in an effort to establish a putative mode of action for the phenolic compounds present in this plant
Gallic acid, vanillic acid, quercetin and kaempferol were detected in the ethanol extract of the aerial parts of Vernonia patula (VP)
Summary
Vernonia patula (Dryand.) Merr. (Asteraceae), known as purple fleabane, is an annual weed widely distributed throughout Bangladesh. Previous chemical studies of the aerial parts of V. patula have revealed the presence of phenolic compounds, flavonoids and terpenoids (Herrera, Chanco, & Sison, 1980; Liang & Min, 2003; Lin & Wang, 2002). We have already reported that the aerial parts of V. patula possess in vitro anti-oxidant and in vivo antiinflammatory activity (Hira et al, 2013). To the best of our knowledge the antinociceptive and sedative activity of V. patula has never been investigated. We analysed the aerial parts V. patula for the presence of phenolic compounds, and tested its ethanol extract for antinociceptive and sedative activity in mice. We conducted a molecular docking study to predict the interactions between the phenolic compounds detected in V. patula (VP) and the CB1 receptor in an effort to establish a putative mode of action for the phenolic compounds present in this plant
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