Anti-inflammatory and analgesic potential of leaf extract of Justicia adhatoda L. (Acanthaceae) in Carrageenan and Formalin-induced models by targeting oxidative stress

• Published in: Biomedicine & pharmacotherapy Vol. 153; p. 113322
• Main Authors: Basit, Abdul, Shutian, Tao, Khan, Ashrafullah, Khan, Shah Masaud, Shahzad, Raheem, Khan, Abid, Khan, Salman, Khan, Madeeha
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Masson SAS 01-09-2022; Elsevier
• Subjects: Antioxidants; HPLC; Inflammation; Justicia adhatoda L. (Acanthaceae); Oxidative stress; Justicia adhatoda L. (Acanthaceae); Antioxidants; Oxidative stress; Inflammation; HPLC
• ISSN: 0753-3322; 1950-6007
• DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2022.113322

Plants are regarded as a valuable and inexpensive source of new drug development, and a variety of plant compounds are now being used in clinical trials to treat a variety of ailments. The goal of this work was to characterize and evaluate the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects of Justicia adhatoda L. leaf extract (Acanthaceae). The presence of alkaloids, saponins, tannins, phytosterols, phenols, and proteins in the leaf extract of J. adhatoda was determined using phytochemical screening. While the identification of different compounds in the leaf extract was carried out by HPLC analysis. Similarly, the anti-inflammatory potential of the leaf extract was assessed in Carrageenan and Formalin-induced inflammatory mice models. The phytochemical analysis of the leaf extract indicated a positive test for alkaloids, saponins, tannins, phytosterols, phenols, proteins, and amino acids, while the negative test for carbohydrates, and glycosides, flavonoids, and diterpenes. Moreover, among the detected compounds, gallic acid was found in the highest concentration with a 45.42% composition. The leaf extract showed the highest antibacterial activity against E. coli, while the lowest activity against Listeria was observed. The leaf extract of J. adhatoda revealed promising anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antioxidants activities both in vitro and in vivo. Similarly, the detected compounds portrayed variable pharmacokinetic as well as binding affinities with the target proteins. In conclusion, the leaf extract exhibited significant antioxidants and antibacterial activities using in vitro assays. Similarly, the extract also revealed promising anti-inflammatory activities in vivo while exhibiting variable Pharmacokinetics and binding affinities towards protein target using computational tools.
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•To examine different ingredients, a phytochemical examination of Adhatoda vasica leaf extract was done.•Total antioxidants and antibacterial activities of the Adhatoda vasica extract were examined in vitro.•In mice, the anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects of Adhatoda vasica was investigated.•In an animal model, the extract was tested for antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.•The mechanism of its constituent interaction with Nrf2/HO-1 and iNOS was investigated using a computational approach.