Neurological and Molecular Interactions of Phytoconstituents from Ricinus communis Root Extract- A Pharmacological and Computational Approach

Abstract

The majority of epileptic patients takes numerous anticonvulsant medications and is still not treated successfully. These medications' produce chronic side effects and drug interactions, which restrict their use, constitute their major drawback. On the other hand, the fact that nature has given us plants that can be used as safe, all-natural treatments for illnesses with little side effects and minimal drug interactions has prompted researchers to focus on herbal remedies with anticonvulsant potential. The antiepileptic potential of the methanolic root extract of Ricinus communis was investigated in rodent models. Molecular docking studies using Schrodinger software was employed to study interactions with active site using PDB ID: 4MS4 (GABA agonist’s), 3WFG (glutamate antagonist), 5HCV (aspartate antagonist), 6J8G (sodium channel antagonist).  At 30 and 60 minutes, MERC effectively diminished various convulsive phases and provided strong defence against the MES model. In PTZ, MERC extract treated groups at a dose (200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg) showed significant antiepileptic activity with percentage protection of 24% and 33% respectively against seizures and significantly (* = p<0.0001) increased the latency of the seizures. Molecular docking studies confirmed the GABA agonist’s effects, and the results revealed that quercetin. gallic acid, luteolic acid, gentixic acid, catechin, vanillic acid, ricinoilc acid and standard phenytoin, clonazepam has highest Glide scores against all the selected proteins which indicates a stronger receptor -ligand binding affinity. From in vivo and molecular docking results it is clear that methanolic root extract of Ricinus communis possessed significant antiepileptic activity.