Anti-Inflammatory Potential of n-Hexane Extract From Mesua nagassarium Stem Bark: An Experimental and In Silico Study

[摘要] ObjectiveInflammation in response to internal or external stimuli is associated with various life-threatening complications. Prolonged use of conventional anti-inflammatory drugs may cause adverse health effects which emphasizes the need for safer natural alternatives. Mesua nagassarium (Burm.f.) Kosterm., a medicinal plant with therapeutic potential, was therefore investigated. The aim of this study was to evaluate the anti-inflammatory activity of the n-hexane extract of Mesua nagassarium stem bark using in vitro, in vivo, and in silico approaches.MethodologyStem bark of Mesua nagassarium (Burm.f.) Kosterm. was extracted using n-hexane, and phytochemical constituents were identified through standard chemical tests. In vitro anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated using heat-induced RBC membrane stabilization assays under pre- and post-treatment conditions. In vivo activity was assessed using carrageenan-induced paw edema and cotton pellet granuloma models in Wistar albino rats. GC–MS analysis identified volatile compounds in the extract. Pharmacokinetic properties and molecular interactions of identified phytocompounds with inflammation-related proteins were investigated using computational approaches.ResultsPhytochemical screening confirmed the presence of flavonoids, terpenoids, carbohydrates, anthraquinones, and volatile oils. In vitro assays demonstrated significant membrane stabilization at all tested concentrations (75, 150, and 300 μg/mL). In vivo studies showed effective inhibition of acute and chronic inflammation. The extract produced the greatest paw edema inhibition of 48.27% and the highest granuloma inhibition of 53.85% at a dose of 300 mg/kg body weight, both comparable to diclofenac sodium. Post-treatment hemolysis inhibition reached 92.58% at 300 mg/kg, exceeding diclofenac sodium (86.22%). GC–MS identified eleven phytocompounds including δ-tocopherol, trans-geranylgeraniol, (E)-α-bisabolene, zonarene, (E)-β-farnesene etc. Molecular docking analysis indicated comparatively favorable binding energies for δ-tocopherol with IL-1β and COX-2, while zonarene showed favorable interaction with NF-κB p65.ConclusionThese findings suggest that Mesua nagassarium (Burm.f.) Kosterm. stem bark extract possesses considerable anti-inflammatory potential and may serve as a valuable starting point for future bioactivity-guided isolation and mechanistic studies aimed at identifying bioactive compounds with anti-inflammatory properties.

[发布日期] 2026-08-01

[关键词] Mesua nagassarium;anti-inflammatory;paw edema;cotton pellet granuloma;heat induced hemolysis;ADMET;molecular docking