Anti-endotoxin effects of terpenoids fraction from Hygrophila auriculata in lipopolysaccharide-induced septic shock in rats.

BACKGROUND

Hygrophila auriculata (K. Schum) Heine (Acanthaceae) has been traditionally used for the treatment of various ailments such as inflammation, rheumatism, jaundice and malaria.

OBJECTIVE

The present study aims to separate terpenoid fraction (TF) from alcohol (70%) extract of the whole plant of Hygrophila auriculata and assess its anti-inflammatory activity.

METHODS

HPTLC analysis of TF was performed for the estimation of lupeol. Edema was induced in Wistar albino rats by subplanter injection of 0.1 ml of 1% (w/v) carrageenan into the right hind paw after 1 h of TF administration (100 and 200 mg/kg oral). Septic shock was induced by intraperitoneal administration of LPS (100 μg/kg) in rats and interleukins (IL-1β and IL-6), tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α), superoxide dismutase (SOD), lipid peroxidation (LPO), and nitric oxide (NO) were measured in serum. AutoDock 4.2 was used for molecular docking.

RESULTS

Administration of TF significantly (p < 0.005) restored the serum levels of cytokines, LPO (7.77 ± 0.034 versus 4.59 ± 0.059 nmole of TBARS), NO (9.72 ± 0.18 versus 4.15 ± 0.23 µmol nitrite/mg of wet tissue), and SOD (4.89 ± 0.036 versus 7.83 ± 0.033 Unit/mg protein) compared with the LPS-challenged rats. Analysis of in silico results revealed that TNF-α is the most appropriate target in eliciting anti-inflammatory activity.

CONCLUSIONS

The present findings suggest that TF of Hygrophila auriculata possesses great promise as an anti-inflammatory agent which may be due to its antioxidant effect. Molecular docking results could be exploited for lead optimization and development of suitable treatment of inflammatory disorders.