In Vitro and In Silico Evidence for a Putative Role of Lannea coromandelica Bark’s Methanolic Extract in the Treatment of Ulcerative Colitis

Abstract

Introduction: Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a type of persistent inflammatory bowel disease that creates considerable
challenges to its treatment with regard to both the lack of existing medicine efficacy and the raise in side effects.
Aim and Objectives: The present paper discusses the in vitro anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antimicrobial
properties of the methanol extract of Lannea coromandelica bark (LcBME) to manage UC. Methodology: The
LcBME that was prepared was tested using gas chromatography-mass spectrum (GC-MS) determination of
phytoingredients with previous screening to identify the presence of major phytochemicals in the LcBME. Further,
the extract was subjected to membrane stability, protein denaturation, and inhibition of albumin denaturation
studies to evaluate the anti-inflammatory activities and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), hydroxyl
radical scavenging assays to examine its antioxidant capacities. A resazurin microtiter method was followed to
determine the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) effect against Escherichia coli. Results and Discussion:
Flavonoids, diterpenes, and steroids were present in the LcBME. GC-MS analysis found several compounds,
including 3-Methylene-1,6-heptadiene, phenol, 3-methyl, 2-ethyl alpha, 3-bis(acetyloxy) benzeneacetic acid,
3-pentadecanone, E,E-6,8-tridecadien-2-ol, acetate, undecane, furfural, 2-heptanone, and 5-methoxy-methyl
ester. During anti-inflammatory studies, 500 µg/mL of the sample has membrane stability activity, protein
denaturation inhibition, and inhibition of albumin denaturation activity up to 58.5%, 65%, and 62.5%, respectively.
Similar concentration has 100% of DPPH activity and 45.6% of hydroxyl radical scavenging activity. In the
resazurin microtiter assay, the extract produced an MIC at 125 µg/mL against E. coli. In a molecular docking
study among the 9 GC-MS compounds based
on the absorption, distribution, metabolism,
excretion, and toxicity property, one compound