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Plant Science Today (PST)

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Early Access

Phytochemical profiling and neuroprotective potential of Garcinia lanceifolia Roxb.: In vitro and in silico insights

DOI
https://doi.org/10.14719/pst.7428
Submitted
25 January 2025
Published
08-07-2025
Versions

Abstract

Garcinia lanceifolia Roxb. is renowned for its medicinal properties, though its neuroprotective potential remains underexplored. This study investigated the methanolic leaf extract of G. lanceifolia (MEGL) to identify its bioactive compounds and evaluate their neuroprotective potential through an integrated in vitro and silico approach. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis identified 56 phytocompounds, with 20 exhibiting favourable pharmacokinetic properties based on Lipinskis’ rule of five. In vitro assays revealed significant antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities, highlighting the extracts’ potential in combating oxidative stress and neuroinflammation. In silico analysis demonstrated strong molecular interactions of key compounds, such as precocene II, 13-hexyloxacyclotridec-10-en-2-one and methyl ricinoleate, with neuroprotective targets including IL-1α, KEAP1, serotonin, GABA and NMDA receptors. These compounds exhibited binding affinities competitive with or superior to reference drugs like ascorbic acid, diclofenac, ifenprodil, fluoxetine and diazepam. Toxicity profiling indicated minimal adverse effects, suggesting their potential for drug development. Visualizing ligand-receptor interactions provided insights into binding stability and specificity, emphasizing the therapeutic relevance of these phytocompounds. While findings are promising, further experimental validation is required to confirm their neuroprotective efficacy. This study underscores the potential of G. lanceifolia as a source of neuroprotective agents, paving the way for innovative treatments for neurodegenerative disorders.

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