Neuropharmacological, cytotoxic, and anthelmintic potentials of Lasia spinosa (L.) Thwaites rhizome: In vivo, in vitro, and computational approach

Abstract

Lasia spinosa (L.) Thwaites is a large herbaceous plant, belongs to the Araceae family with a creeping, spiky rhizome. The purpose of this study was to investigate Lasia spinosa rhizome methanolic extract (LSR-ME) for potential neuropharmacological, cytotoxic, and anthelmintic activities. On Swiss albino mice, the neuropharmacological activity was assessed using a range of bioactive assays. The cytotoxic effects were evaluated using the in vitro brine shrimp lethality assay. In addition, Pheretima posthuma was used for an in vitro anthelmintic test. Additionally, using a variety of online resources, molecular docking and admet SAR analysis were carried out to assess the potential of the mentioned phytochemicals. LSR-ME (400 mg/kg) substantially surpassed the control in the Elevated plus maze test, exhibiting anxiolytic activity (185.57 ± 1.79 s in open arms, p < .001). In the hole board test, LSR-ME at 400 mg/kg dosage (40.33 ± 1.20) moderately increased head dipping behavior. At 400 mg/kg, LSR-ME induced significant transitions (9.33 ± 1.20) in the light-dark box test, suggesting anxiolytic behavior. Significant antidepressant efficacy is indicated by LSR-ME (400 mg/kg), which demonstrated reduced immobility time in the forced swimming and tail suspension tests (106.33 ± 6.23 s and 115 ± 4.58 s, respectively). Significant sedative activity was observed by LSR-ME (400 mg/kg) in the open field and hole cross tests, where there was a decrease in the number of movements (44.33 ± 1.20 and 7.33 ± 0.33, respectively). With an LC₅₀ value of 53.05 μg/mL, the extract demonstrated a substantial cytotoxic effect in the brine shrimp lethality assay. The extract exhibited anthelmintic activity as it killed Pheretima posthuma in 35.33 ± 2.31 minutes at 10 µg/mL, while standard albendazole took 24.67 ± 1.53 minutes at the same concentration. All of these findings are also verified by molecular docking experiments. In conclusion, as natural products like medicinal plants have been a source of new therapeutic applications, the extract may be a promising agent with neuropharmacological, cytotoxic, and anthelmintic activity and a possible target for drug discovery.