Exploring the pharmacological potential of Lepionurus sylvestris blume: from folklore medicinal usage to modern drug development strategies using in vitro and in silico analyses.

Abstract

Background: Lepionurus sylvestris Blume has a long history of folklore medicinal usage against various ailments. However, studies on these plants were neglected particularly their pharmacological potential.

Methods: The crude extract was identified using LC-MS analysis. In vitro assays were carried out to determine the properties of antioxidant, anti-microbial, and anti-cancer. Further, network pharmacology was proposed to evaluate the potential targets of the compounds against breast cancer and type II diabetes. Molecular docking and molecular dynamic simulation were used to determine the potential compounds for the drug formulation of diabetes.

Results: Various bioactive compounds were identfied using LC-MS and Galiposin, Fujikinetin, Boeravinone B, 4-Deoxybryaquinone, and Norbaeocystin were described for the first time from the plant. Determination of antioxidant potential showed that the IC₅₀ value of ABTS, DPPH, and phosphomolybdate was 24.33 µg/ml, 37.81 µg/ml, 60.35 µg/ml, and reducing power assays 1.185. The antibacterial activity against Streptococcus pyogenes, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Escherichia coli was determined, and the minimum inhibition concentration (MIC) was found to be 5.3 mg/ml, 3.47 mg/ml, 3.33 mg/ml, and 2.7 mg/ml respectively, revealing the extracts as effective antibacterial agents. The IC50 values for the plant extract were determined to be 26 µg/ml, 30.52 µg/ml, and 24.39 µg/ml for HeLa, MCF-7, and K-562 cells, respectively, and the increasing concentration of the plant extract increased LDH release. Furthermore, the in silico network pharmacology, molecular docking which had the highest docking score for GAPDH and HIF-1 target proteins of -9.3 kcal/mol, and - 11.3 kcal/mol binding affinities, and molecular dynamic simulation analysis revealed the bioactive compound Boeravinone B present in the plant was significant for the treatment of various ailments.

Conclusion: Based on our findings, plant extracts could be a promising option for developing new drug formulations.