Systematic Evaluation of Aegle marmelos-Derived Compounds: Potential Therapeutic Agents Against Inflammation and...

Aim This study aimed to evaluate the potential antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of Aegle marmelos active compounds through a multifaceted approach. The investigation encompasses molecular docking studies, computational pharmacokinetic predictions, and in vitro assessments, with a focus on understanding their physiochemical properties, pharmacokinetics, and molecular interactions. Materials and methods This study was conducted in the Research Department of Biochemistry, Saveetha Medical College & Hospital, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences (SIMATS), Tamilnadu, India. The study employed Soxhlet and methanol extraction techniques to obtain Aegle marmelos extracts, which were then subjected to antioxidant and anti-inflammatory assays. Antioxidant activity was assessed using the H₂O₂ assay, while anti-inflammatory potential was determined via the egg albumin denaturation assay. Molecular docking studies were conducted with human heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1) and human zanthine oxidoreductase (XO) proteins to elucidate potential therapeutic interactions. Furthermore, computational tools like SwissADME, pkCSM, and ADMETlab 2.0 were utilized to predict physiochemical and pharmacokinetic properties, providing insights into the compound absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion profiles. This integrated approach aimed to comprehensively evaluate the therapeutic potential of Aegle marmelos-derived compounds against inflammation and oxidative stress-related disorders, paving the way for future drug development endeavors. Results In the antioxidant assay, Aegle marmelos methanolic tuber extracts showed exceptional absorption of 87.4%, surpassing the reference standard. In the anti-inflammatory assay, the extracts displayed an absorption of approximately 79%, indicating significant anti-inflammatory potential. Auraptene, imperatorin, luvangetin, and psoralen exhibited favorable pharmacokinetic properties and adherence to the Lipinski rule of 5, suggesting promising drug development potential. In molecular docking, imperatorin demonstrated the highest binding affinity to HHO-1 and XO. Conclusion The study on Aegle marmelos highlights its potential as a therapeutic agent due to its potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Phytochemical constituents, such as auraptene, imperatorin, luvangetin, and psoralen, show promising pharmacokinetic profiles, suggesting their suitability for drug development. Molecular docking analysis reveals imperatorin as the most effective binder to key enzymes, emphasizing its therapeutic potential against inflammation and oxidative stress-related disorders.