In silico profiling of analgesic, antidiarrheal and antihyperglycemic properties of Tetrastigma bracteolatum (Wall.) leaves extract supported by in vivo studies

Abstract

Hill tract plant Tetrastigma bracteolatum (Wall.) (Family-Vitaceae) is traditionally used for headache, indigestion and stomach disorder by the tribal people in Bangladesh. In this study, the ethanolic leaves extract of TB was investigated for screening its phytochemical constituents and assessing the antioxidant, analgesic, antidiarrheal and antihyperglycemic potential. In DPPH free radical scavenging assay, the extract showed good radical scavenging potential with SC50 (concentration for 50% scavenging) value of 56 µg/ml. Analgesic activity test was performed by acetic acid-induced writhing method, where the extract inhibited writhing by 28.8% and 51.5% at the doses of 250 and 500 mg/kg bw, respectively. The extract inhibited defecation by 36.2% and 60.3% at the doses of 250 and 500 mg/kg bw in castor oil-induced diarrheal mice. In the evaluation of antihyperglycemic activity by oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), the extract reduced blood glucose levels in a dose-dependent manner after 90 min, compared to the control group. The extract was also assessed for its in vitro α-glucosidase inhibition capacity but no demonstrable effect was observed. Fourteen chemical compounds were identified through GC–MS analysis of the extract with the highest amount of 1,2,3,4,4a,5,8,9,12,12a-decahydro-1,4-methanobenzocyclodecene (5.46%). Few compounds displayed better binding affinity with the active site of NADPH oxidase, nitric oxide synthase, M3 muscarinic acetylcholine receptor and sulfonylurea receptor than standard drugs in molecular docking studies. Therefore, the extract of TB may be used as a potential source of drug leads for various ailments.