EXPLORING THE ROLE OF TERMINALIA CATAPPA FRUIT SOURCE IN COMBATING PROTEIN IN MALNUTRITION AND ANTI-INFLAMMATORY ACTIVITY

Dr. Farzana Tasneem M. I.* and Dr. Asma Saqib

ABSTRACT

The present study investigates the anti-inflammatory activity of methanolic extracts of Terminalia catappa L a well-recognized medicinal plant in Ayurveda. Phytochemical tests conducted in methanolic extract contains phenols, alkaloids, tannins, flavonoid, steroids and terpenoids. The protein estimation of the extracts was reported by Lowry’s method and Bradford method. The characterization size of protein is determined by SDS-PAGE. Methanolic extracts derived from fruits has been assessed for its anti- inflammatory activity by in-vitro method. In-vitro anti-inflammatory capability was evaluated using protein denaturation assay. The blind molecular docking studies using nineteen phytochemicals from the study against the protein of COX-2. The 3D protein structures were analysed, and potential drug-binding site were identified, the drug-likeness properties of ligand were assessed as well. Docking results determines the highest binding energy and inhibition constants, an active compound visualization of amino acid residues around the active compound was identified with ligplot which help in combating malnutrition and cure inflammation.

Keywords: Terminalia catappa L, Phytochemical, Anti-inflammatory activity, Molecular docking, COX-2, Ligplot.