In Vitro and in Silico Assessment of The Anti-Inflammatory Potential of Ethanolic Leaf Extract of Pithecellobium Dulce
Abstract
Pithecellobium dulce is a medicinal plant conventionally used for the treatment of various inflammatory and painful conditions. The current study was undertaken to evaluate the anti-inflammatory potential of the ethanolic leaf extract of Pithecellobium dulce (ELEPD) using in vitro and in silico approaches. In vitro anti-inflammatory activity was assessed using inhibition of egg albumin denaturation and human red blood cell (HRBC) membrane stabilisation assays, with Diclofenac sodium as the reference standard. Molecular docking studies were executed against Cyclooxygenase-2 to identify potential interactions between the major phytoconstituents and inflammatory targets. ELEPD exhibited significant concentration-dependent inhibition of egg albumin denaturation at concentrations ranging from 37.5 to 600 µg/mL, with a maximum inhibition of 68.26±6.66% and an IC₅₀ value of 198.5±2 µg/mL. In the HRBC membrane stabilisation assay, the extract demonstrated marked protection against heat-induced hemolysis, producing 84.28% inhibition at 600 µg/mL. Although the standard drug showed comparatively higher activity, the extract displayed substantial anti-inflammatory effects in both models. Docking investigation revealed strong binding affinities of phytoconstituents toward Cyclooxygenase-2, with Kaempferol showing the highest docking score (−9.2 kcal/mol), followed by Kaempferol-3-O-rhamnoside (−8.4 kcal/mol), Alpha-spinasterol (−7.7 kcal/mol), and Dulcitol (−6.3 kcal/mol). These compounds exhibited favourable molecular interactions with active-site residues, suggesting possible COX-2 inhibitory action. The findings indicate that ELEPD possesses significant anti-inflammatory activity, which may be mediated through inhibition of protein denaturation, stabilisation of biological membranes, and suppression of COX-2 activity. This study supports the traditional use of Pithecellobium dulce and highlights its potential as a source of novel anti-inflammatory agents.
Keywords: Anti-Inflammatory activity, Egg albumin denaturation, Membrane stabilisation, Autodocking
Keywords:
Anti-Inflammatory activity, Egg albumin denaturation, Membrane stabilisation, AutodockingDOI
https://doi.org/10.22270/jddt.v16i5.7740References
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Copyright (c) 2026 Srinivasu Matta, Chekuri Ajay Varma, Chapala Sudheer , Chapisetti Sesha Dhanalakshmi, Dhabal Kumar Satapathy, V Bhaskararaju
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