Investigation of Potential Antioxidant, Thrombolytic and Neuropharmacological Activities of Homalomena aromatica Leaves Using Experimental and In Silico Approaches

Abstract

The leaves of Homalomena aromatica are traditionally used in Bangladesh for the treatment of different chronic ailments. The purpose of this study was to explore in vitro antioxidant, thrombolytic activities, and in vivo neuropharmacological effects of methanolic extract of Homalomena aromatica (MEHA) leaves. Antioxidant activity of MEHA was assessed by a DPPH free radical scavenging assay and total phenolics content, total flavonoids content were also measured. The thrombolytic activity was determined by percentage of clot lysis and neuropharmacological activities by hole board, tail suspension, forced swimming and elevated plus maze tests. The results showed that the IC50 value of the extract against DPPH was 199.51 μg/mL. Quantitative analysis displayed higher contents of phenolics and flavonoids (147.71 mg gallic acid equivalent/g & 66.65 mg quercetin equivalent/g dried extract, respectively). The extract also showed a significant clot lysis (33.31%) activity. In case of anxiolytic activity, the elevate plus maze (EPM) test demonstrated an increase in time spent in open arms, and in case of hole board test, the number of head dipping was also significantly increased (p < 0.05). All the test compared with control (1% Tween in water) and standard (diazepam 1 mg/kg), significant dose (200 & 400 mg/kg) dependent anxiolytic activity was found. In antidepressant activity, there was a significant decrease in period of immobility in both test models (tail suspension and forced swimming) (p < 0.05). Moreover, 13 compounds were identified as bioactive, showed good binding affinities to xanthine oxidoreductase, tissue plasminogen activator receptor, potassium channel receptor, human serotonin receptor targets in molecular docking experiments. Furthermore, ADME/T analysis revealed their drug-likeness, likely pharmacological actions and non-toxic upon consumption. Taken together, our finding support the traditional medicinal use of this plant, which may provide a potential source for future drug discovery.

Citrus limon L. (lemon) seed extract shows neuro-modulatory activity in an in vivo thiopental-sodium sleep model by reducing the sleep onset and enhancing the sleep duration

“…However, these may arise due to continued disruption of the antioxidant defense system and an enhanced redox imbalance or oxidative stress [9]. The redox stress in the brain supports cellular conditions that cause neurological damage and related cognitive deteriorations [10][11][12][13].…”

In-vitro and in-silico analyses of the thrombolytic potential of green kiwifruit

“…Several plant components have been investigated for their possible thrombolytic properties, ranging from the entire Indian pennywort plant ( Centella asiatica L.) 21 to the leaves of Sugandhmantri ( Homalomena aromatica ) 22 and the stem of the peepal tree ( Ficus religiosa L.) 23 . These studies conclude that the identified compounds target pathways associated with thrombosis.…”

In vitro thrombolytic activity of Moringa oleifera

“…Several plant species have shown similar percent thrombolytic potential (in vitro), for example, 41.46% clot lysis activity by methanolic extract of Cassia senna leaves (Hossain et al 2012), 32.58% by leaves of Leea indica (Sakib et al 2021), 33.31% by leaves of Homalomena aromatica (Ali et al 2021b), 34.72% by leaves of Ficus cunia (Hasanat et al 2019), 21.64% by leaves of Antidesma cuspidatum, 20.74% by leaves of Scaphium macropodum and 19.90% by leaves of Uncaria acida (Azad et al 2018), etc. Interestingly, the vasodilator activity of some other species of Moringa, such as M. stenopetala leaves, has also been shown in guinea pigs (Geleta et al 2016).…”