Evaluation of free radical quenching, anti-inflammatory activity together with anticancer potential of Lychnis coronaria and characterization of novel molecules from its extract through high resolution-liquid chromatography mass spectrometry coupled to structural biochemistry approach

Abstract

Lychnis coronaria, a perennial (herbaceous) belonging to Caryophyllaceae has been traditionally used for treating different complications. However, the free radical scavenging effect, anti-inflammatory activity and anticancer property of methanolic extract of this plant has not been addressed. Most importantly, the chemical constituents present in the extract of Lychnis coronaria responsible for its diverse activities have not been scrutinized till date. Here, we used a complex approach for exploring the above mentioned effects of Lychnis coronaria. We performed rigorous phytochemical screening followed by quantification of tannins, phenols, alkaloids, quinones and sterols from the extract. Moreover we employed in vitro DPPH, ABTS , FRAP assay, albumin denaturation inhibition experiment, MTT assay, high resolution liquid chromatography mass spectrometry for measurng the reactive oxygen species quenching, anti-inflammatory and anticancer strength of Lychnis coronaria and for identifying the possible bioactive molecules. We identified two novel molecules panaxynol (polyacetylenic alcohol) and norharman (9H-Pyrido [3, 4-B] indole) following rigorous analysis of the extract. Following this, the binding affinity of these molecules was estimated using human cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 enzyme as target. Among the constituents of Lychnis coronaria norharman manifested stronger binding towards COX-2 compared to panaxynol. Most importantly, norharman showed high stability in the groove of COX2 as confirmed by molecular dynamics simulation. Collectively, Lychnis coronaria manifested free radical neutralizing, inflammation soothing and anticancer effect in concentration dependent manner and thus may serve as a promising phytotherapeutic in future.

Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma

Keywords:

• Lychnis coronaria
• phytochemical screening (Qualitative plus Quantitative)
• DPPH assay
• ABTS assay
• FRAP assay
• albumin denaturation assay
• MTT assay
• HR-LCMS
• molecular docking
• molecular dynamics simulation

Acknowledgements

Ganai SA and others acknowledge SAIF-Lab IIT Bombay and Dr. Sriram for HR-LCMS. Further, the authors are thankful to Dr. Manzoor Ahmad Mir (Bioresource Department,University of Kashmir), Dr. Barkat Hussain (Division of Entomology, SKUAST-Kashmir) for providing acetic anhydride and gallic acid respectively.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Author contributions

Ganai SA, Shah BA and Mir MA performed in vitro assays. Ganai SA and Mir MA designed the work. Ganai SA, Rajamanikandan S and Awquib Sabhat contributed to structural biochemistry experiments. Ganai SA wrote the manuscript. Shah BA, Wani AH and Awquib Sabhat performed proof-reading. Wani AH took great efforts for identification, collection and upkeeping of L. coronaria plants. Qadri RA and Shah BA also provided MTT reagent, A549 cell line, DMEM and some critical reagents. Further, Qadri RA and Wani AH gave timely suggestions for betterment of the work. Ganai SA, Mir MA, Shah BA, Sabhat A and Wani AH supported the work financially.

Correction Statement

This article has been corrected with minor changes. These changes do not impact the academic content of the article.

Additional information

Funding

The author(s) reported there is no funding associated with the work featured in this article.