Abstract
Cuscuta reflexa Roxb. is traditionally used by the indigenous communities of Bangladesh to treat different diseases, such as pain, edema, tumor, jaundice, and skin infections. This study tested neuro-pharmacological, anti-nociceptive, and antidiarrheal activities by in vivo and in silico experiments for the metabolites extracted (methanol) from the leaves of Cuscuta reflexa (MECR). During the anxiolytic evaluation analyzed by elevated plus maze and hole board tests, MECR (200 and 400 mg/kg) exhibited a significant dose-dependent reduction of anxiety-like behavior in mice. Similarly, mice treated with MECR demonstrated a dose-dependent decrease in the time of immobility in both forced swimming and tail suspension tests. In addition, anti-nociceptive activity was assessed by the chemical-induced (acetic acid and formalin) pain models. In both cases, 400 mg/kg was found to be most effective and significantly (p < 0.001) inhibited acetic acid stimulated writhing and formalin-induced licking (pain response) in mice. Furthermore, antidiarrheal efficacy determined by the castor-oil induced diarrheal model manifested an evident inhibition of diarrheal stool frequency. In parallel, previously isolated bioactive compounds were documented based on the biological activities and subjected to in silico studies to correlate with the current pharmacological outcomes. The selected isolated compounds (15) displayed favorable binding affinities to potassium channels, human serotonin receptor, COX-1, COX-2, M3 muscarinic acetylcholine receptor, and 5-HT3 receptor proteins. Additionally, the ADME/T and toxicological properties were justified to unveil their drug-like properties and toxicity level. Overall, Cuscuta reflexa is bioactive and could be a potential source for the development of alternative medicine.
Highlights
Traditional medicine is the most available and affordable source of treatment for many diseases [1]
The Cuscuta reflexa Roxb. leaves were collected from Noakhali, and the plant was authenticated by Dr Shaikh Bokhtear Uddin, Taxonomist and Professor, Department of Botany, University of Chittagong with a reference number (SUB 3219) which has been deposited at the Department of Pharmacy, International Islamic University, Chittagong, Bangladesh and in the Herbarium of the University of Chittagong for future reference
Toxicological properties of the five selected compounds were predicted using admetSAR online server, where our study showed that the selected compounds were non-Ames toxic, non-carcinogenic, and demonstrated weak rat acute toxicity properties (Table 6)
Summary
Traditional medicine is the most available and affordable source of treatment for many diseases [1]. Several activities of medicinal plants have been discovered in practices of traditional medicine [2]. These activities are the consequence of various bioactive compounds that provide adequate defensive advantages to the plant [3]. Different plants possess different phytochemicals, leading to diversity in the activity of each plant These phytochemicals can be isolated and used in the development of novel drugs. Most of the diseases are currently being treated by using synthetic medicines, even though they hold numerous side effects [4]. Some chemical drugs are available for treatment purposes, due to their side effects, many patients prefer herbal medicine [6]
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