Himalayan Pyracantha crenulata (D.Don) M.Roem. leaf and fruit extracts alleviate algesia through COX-2 and Mu-opioid receptor mediated pathways

• Published in: Journal of ethnopharmacology 2024-01, Vol.318, p.117004-117004, Article 117004
• Main Authors: Tewari, Devesh, Bawari, Sweta, Sah, Archana N., Sharma, Himanshu, Joshi, Bhuwan Chandra, Gupta, Pawan, Sharma, Vishnu K.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Gallic acid; Ghingharu; Himalaya; Molecular dynamics; Pain; Simulation
• ISSN: 0378-8741; 1872-7573
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2023.117004

Pyracantha crenulata (D.Don) M.Roem., a plant of high nutritional and medicinal value is traditionally employed for its analgesic property in joint and body pain in the Kumaun region of Western Himalaya. To validate the traditional claims for analgesic property of Pyracantha crenulata. Hydroethanolic extract of P. crenulata leaves and fruits were tested for their analgesic potential in rodent models for algesia by tail immersion test, tail flick test, Eddy's hot plate model, and formalin induced paw irritation test in Wistar rats. Molecular docking and dynamics studies were also performed to understand the possible mechanisms. Both P. crenulata fruit extract and leaf extract exhibited significant amelioration in all the tested experimental models of algesia acting through central and peripheral mechanisms. The efficacy in reducing nociception was found comparable to diclofenac that was used as a reference standard. Molecular docking and dynamic simulation studies further established binding affinity of gallic acid (confirmed to be present in P. crenulata leaf extract through HPTLC profiling) with cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and mu-opioid receptors, suggesting the modulatory effect of these extracts on COX-2 and mu-opioid receptors in combating algesia. P. crenulata extracts produce analgesic effects plausibly through COX-2 and mu-opioid receptor mediated pathways. [Display omitted] •Pyracantha crenulata traditionally used against pain in western Himalaya.•In vivo studies exhibited significant amelioration in algesia.•The effect was through central and peripheral mechanisms.•Docking and dynamics studies revealed analgesic effect mediated by COX-2 and Mu-opioid receptor.