A Strategy to Employ Clitoria ternatea as a Prospective Brain Drug Confronting Monoamine Oxidase (MAO) Against Neurodegenerative Diseases and Depression

Abstract

Ayurveda is a renowned traditional medicine practiced in India from ancient times and Clitoria ternatea is one such prospective medicinal herb incorporated as an essential constituent in a brain tonic called as medhya rasayan for treating neurological disorders. This work emphasises the significance of the plant as a brain drug there by upholding Indian medicine. The phytochemicals from the root extract were extricated using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry assay and molecular docking against the protein Monoamine oxidase was performed with four potential compounds along with four reference compounds of the plant. This persuades the prospect of C. ternatea as a remedy for neurodegenerative diseases and depression. The in silico assay enumerates that a major compound (Z)-9,17-octadecadienal obtained from the chromatogram with a elevated retention time of 32.99 furnished a minimum binding affinity energy value of −6.5 kcal/mol against monoamine oxidase (MAO-A). The interactions with the amino acid residues ALA 68, TYR 60 and TYR 69 were analogous to the reference compound kaempferol-3-monoglucoside with a least score of −13.90/−12.95 kcal/mol against the isoforms (MAO) A and B. This study fortifies the phytocompounds of C. ternatea as MAO-inhibitors and to acquire a pharmaceutical approach in rejuvenating Ayurvedic medicine.Graphical Abstract

Clitorienolactones and Isoflavonoids of Clitorea ternatea Roots Alleviate Stress-Like Symptoms in a Reserpine-Induced Zebrafish Model

“…In Ayurvedic medicine, the leaves and roots of the plant are used to treat body pains, infections, animal stings, fever, and constipation [ 15 ]. The plant has also been traditionally used as a tonic for the brain called “Medhya Rasayana”, and functions as a medicine for neurological disorders [ 16 ]. The aerial parts of the plant have been reported to exert mild central nervous system (CNS) activity, such as nootropic, anxiolytic, antistress, antidepressant, and anticonvulsant activity [ 14 ].…”

“…Furthermore, most of these compounds have exhibited promising psychoactive properties. The norneolignans displayed learning and memory enhancement potential [ 22 ], taraxerol displayed significant inhibition on acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity [ 26 ], and the last two compounds, ( Z )-9,17-octadecadienal and palmitic acid, showed promising monoamine oxidase inhibitory action from molecular docking studies [ 16 ]. However, despite these early studies, there remains much to be understood about the chemistry and pharmacology of this medicinal plant, particularly in relation to its therapeutic potential for treating brain-related disorders, such as stress and depression.…”

Identification and characterization of phytoconstituents of ethanolic root extract of Clitoria ternatea L. utilizing HR-LCMS analysis

“…Acetylcholine (ACh) and Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity modification in connection with memory and cognitive enhancement of laboratory rodents upon administration of various root extracts of C. ternatea was reported by various researchers (19,20). Anti-depressant and anti-anxiety effects of different root extracts have been studied and reported by different scientists (21,22).…”

Clitoria ternatea L. Fabaceae

“…Clitorienolactones A and B enhance memory and inhibit acetylcholinesterase (Vasisht et al 2016). (Z)-9,17-octadecadienal and n-hexadecenoic acids inhibit monoamine oxidase, therefore they have potential against antidepressant, anxiety, and cognitive disorders in Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases (Margret et al 2015). The alcohol extracts of aerial part and roots of C. ternatea increase rat brain acetylcholine content and acetyl cholinesterase activity like pyritinol (standard cerebrum protective drug) (Taranalli and Cheeramkuzhy 2000).…”