Validating potent anti-inflammatory and anti-rheumatoid properties of Drynaria quercifolia rhizome methanolic extract through in vitro, in vivo, in silico and GC-MS-based profiling

Abstract

Abstract Background The fronds of Drynaria quercifolia have traditionally been used in rheumatic pain management. The goal of the present study was to validate the potent anti-inflammatory and anti-rheumatoid properties of the methanolic-extract of its rhizome using in vitro, in vivo and in silico strategies. Methods The plant was collected and the methanolic extract was prepared from its rhizome. Protein denaturation test, hypotonicity and heat-induced haemolysis assays were performed in vitro. The in vivo anti-rheumatoid potential was assessed in Freund’s complete adjuvant (FCA)-induced Wistar rat model through inflammatory paw-edema, haematological, biochemical, radiological and histopathological measurements. Moreover, metabolites of methanolic extract were screened by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and 3D molecular structures of active components were utilized for in silico docking study using AutoDock. Results In vitro results evinced a significant (p < 0.05) anti-inflammatory activity of the rhizome methanolic extract in a dose-linear response. Further, Drynaria quercifolia rhizome methanolic extract (DME) significantly ameliorated rheumatoid arthritis as indicated by the inhibition of arthritic paw-edema (in millimeter) in the rat rheumatoid arthritis models in both the low (57.71 ± 0.99, p < 0.01) and high dose groups (54.45 ± 1.30, p < 0.001) when compared to arthritic control. Treatment with DME also normalized the haematological (RBC, WBC, platelet counts and hemoglobin contents) and biochemical parameters (total protein, albumin, creatinine and ceruloplasmin) significantly (p < 0.05), which were further supported by histopathological and radiological analyses. Furthermore, GC-MS analysis of DME demonstrated the presence of 47 phytochemical compounds. Compounds like Squalene, Gamma Tocopherol, n-Hexadecanoic acid showed potent inhibition of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α), and interleukin (IL-6) in the docking analysis. Conclusion Results from in vivo and in vitro studies indicated that DME possesses a potent anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic activity. In silico studies delineated the emergent potent inhibitory effects of several bio-active components on the target inflammatory markers (COX-2, TNF-α and IL-6).