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 0.1 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 mg/kg) in rats and interleukins (IL-1b and
IL-6), tumor necrosis factor (TNF-a), 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 (p50.005) 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 mmol 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-a 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.