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

Context: 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.Materials and methods: HPTLC analysis of TF was performed for the estimation of lupeol. Edema was induced in Wistar albino rats by subplanter injection of 0.1ml of 1% (w/v) carrageenan into the right hind paw after 1h of TF administration (100 and 200mg/kg oral). Septic shock was induced by intraperitoneal administration of LPS (100g/kg) in rats and interleukins (IL-1 and IL-6), tumor necrosis factor (TNF-), 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 (7.770.034 versus 4.59 +/- 0.059nmole of TBARS), NO (9.72 +/- 0.18 versus 4.15 +/- 0.23 mu mol nitrite/mg of wet tissue), and SOD (4.89 +/- 0.036 versus 7.83 +/- 0.033Unit/mg protein) compared with the LPS-challenged rats. Analysis of in silico results revealed that TNF- is the most appropriate target in eliciting anti-inflammatory activity.Conclusion: 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.