Preprint / Version 1

Clitorienolactones and Isoflavonoids of Clitorea ternatea Roots Alleviate Stress-Like Symptoms in a Reserpine-Induced Zebrafish Model

Authors

Keywords:

Clitorea ternatea, metabolite profile, clitorienolactones, flavonoids, LCMS/MS, reserpine-induced stress, zebrafish model, novel tank test

Abstract

Clitorea ternatea has been used in Ayurvedic medicine as a brain stimulant to treat mental illnesses and mental functional disorders. In this study, the metabolite profiles of crude C. ternatea root extract (CTRE), ethyl acetate (EA), and 50% aqueous methanol (50% MeOH) fractions were investigated using ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography–diode array detector–tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC–DAD–MS/MS), while their effect on the stress-like behavior of zebrafish, pharmacologically induced with reserpine, was investigated. A total of 32 compounds were putatively identified, among which, a series of norneolignans, clitorienolactones, and various flavonoids (flavone, flavonol, isoflavone, and isoflavanone) was found to comprise the major constituents, particularly in the EA and 50% MeOH fractions. The clitorienolactones, presently unique to the species, were present in both the free and glycosylated forms in the roots. Both the EA and 50% MeOH fractions displayed moderate effects on the stress-induced zebrafish model, significantly decreasing freezing duration and elevating the total distance travelled and average velocity, 72 h post-treatment. The results of the present study provide further evidence that the basis for the use of C. ternatea roots in traditional medicine to alleviate brain-related conditions, such as stress and depression, is attributable to the presence of clitorienolactones and the isoflavonoidal constituents. Keywords: Clitorea ternatea, metabolite profile, clitorienolactones, flavonoids, LCMS/MS, reserpine-induced stress, zebrafish model, novel tank test

Author Biographies

Muhammad Akhtar, Natural Medicines and Products Research Laboratory (NaturMeds), Institute of Bioscience, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang 43400, Malaysia; [email protected] (M.A.N.); [email protected] (M.T.A.); [email protected] (I.S.I.); [email protected] (A.I.N.); [email protected] (S.Y.L.); [email protected] (M.M.)

Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Government College University, Lahore 54000, Pakistan

Maulidiani Maulidiani, Natural Medicines and Products Research Laboratory (NaturMeds), Institute of Bioscience, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang 43400, Malaysia; [email protected] (M.A.N.); [email protected] (M.T.A.); [email protected] (I.S.I.); [email protected] (A.I.N.); [email protected] (S.Y.L.); [email protected] (M.M.)

School of Fundamental Science, University Malaysia Terengganu (UMT), Kuala Nerus 21030, Malaysia

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