Abstract
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.
Highlights
The importance of medicinal plants in alleviating various human disorders is well-known (Okwu and Uchenna, 2009)
We investigated its phytochemical composition by gas chromatography and spectrometric measurement (GC-MS), along with an assessment of the in vitro antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, thrombolytic, and in vivo locomotor, anxiolytic, analgesic, and antidiarrheal activities of the methanol extract of C. pectinata
The secondary metabolites in the methanol extract with good retention times were identified as androsta-3,5-dien-3ol, 17-acetyl-3-O-(t-butyldimethylsilyl)-; 2,4,6-cycloheptatrien-1-one, 3,5-bis-trimethylsilyl-; and 2,6-lutidine 3,5-dichloro-4-dodecylthio, and their retention times were 30.891, 30.230, and 27.856, respectively
Summary
The importance of medicinal plants in alleviating various human disorders is well-known (Okwu and Uchenna, 2009). Medicinal plants have been associated with several pharmacological activities such as anxiolytic, antipyretic, cardioprotective, anti-inflammatory immunomodulatory, and antinociceptive activities (Okwu and Uchenna, 2009). Living cells have an excellent defense mechanism to control free radicals from their damaging effects. This is possible due to the presence of various detoxifying enzymes and metabolites (e.g., superoxide dismutase, peroxidase) in the body that scavenge free radicals. Antioxidants that act indirectly are essential in the defense mechanisms of the body to prevent the damaging effects of ROS/RNS. The human body produces several antioxidants that work to limit the impact of free radical damage. Edible vegetables and dietary fruits are a source of abundant antioxidants (Reza et al, 2018b)
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