Preprint / Version 1

Mapping Molecular Networks within Clitoria ternatea Linn. against LPS-Induced Neuroinflammation in Microglial Cells, with Molecular Docking and In Vivo Toxicity Assessment in Zebrafish

Authors

  • Nurul Zian Natural Medicines and Product Research Laboratory, Institute of Bioscience, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang 43400, Selangor, Malaysia; [email protected] (N.F.A.M.Z.); [email protected] (W.N.W.I.); [email protected] (K.S.)
  • Tae-Ik Choi Department of Biology, Chungnam National University, 99 Daehak-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 34134, Korea; [email protected] (P.S.); [email protected] (T.-I.C.)
  • Johnson Stanslas Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang 43400, Selangor, Malaysia; [email protected]
  • Khozirah Shaari Natural Medicines and Product Research Laboratory, Institute of Bioscience, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang 43400, Selangor, Malaysia; [email protected] (N.F.A.M.Z.); [email protected] (W.N.W.I.); [email protected] (K.S.)
  • Noraini Bakar Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang 43400, Selangor, Malaysia; [email protected]
  • Wan Ibrahim Natural Medicines and Product Research Laboratory, Institute of Bioscience, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang 43400, Selangor, Malaysia; [email protected] (N.F.A.M.Z.); [email protected] (W.N.W.I.); [email protected] (K.S.)
  • Norzalina Zakaria Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang 43400, Selangor, Malaysia; [email protected]
  • Siti Faudzi Natural Medicines and Product Research Laboratory, Institute of Bioscience, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang 43400, Selangor, Malaysia; [email protected] (N.F.A.M.Z.); [email protected] (W.N.W.I.); [email protected] (K.S.)
  • Puspanjali Swain Department of Biology, Chungnam National University, 99 Daehak-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 34134, Korea; [email protected] (P.S.); [email protected] (T.-I.C.)
  • Cheol-Hee Kim Department of Biology, Chungnam National University, 99 Daehak-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 34134, Korea; [email protected] (P.S.); [email protected] (T.-I.C.)

Keywords:

butterfly pea, Clitoria ternatea, anti-neuroinflammation, Alzheimer’s disease, molecular networking, zebrafish toxicity

Abstract

Clitoria ternatea Linn. (CT), or butterfly pea, is an Ayurvedic plant traditionally used as a brain tonic. Recently, it was reported to be of use in treating central nervous system (CNS) disorders, i.e., as an antistress treatment and antidepressant. In the present study, we report a detailed phytochemical profile of the ethyl acetate fraction of the flower of CT (CTF_EA) with significant neuroprotective and anti-neuroinflammatory properties in both LPS-activated BV-2 and SK-N-SH cells. Concurrently, the molecular network (MN) derived from the CTF_EA metabolome allows putative identification of flavonol 3-O-glycosides, hydrocinnamic acids, and primary metabolites. Molecular docking studies suggest that CTF_EA preferentially targets iNOS, resulting in a decrease in nitric oxide (NO). Furthermore, no toxic effects on normal embryonic development, blood vessel formation, and apoptosis are observed when CTF_EA is tested for in vivo toxicity in zebrafish models. The overall preliminary results suggest the anti-neuroinflammatory and neuroprotective effects of CT and provide scientific support for the efficacy of this medicinal plant at local and traditional levels. However, studies on the targeted isolation of bioactive metabolites, in-depth pharmacological efficacy, and safety in mammalian models are urgently needed to expand our understanding of this plant before it is developed into a promising therapeutic agent for brain-related diseases. Keywords: butterfly pea, Clitoria ternatea, anti-neuroinflammation, Alzheimer’s disease, molecular networking, zebrafish toxicity

Author Biographies

Wan Ibrahim, Natural Medicines and Product Research Laboratory, Institute of Bioscience, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang 43400, Selangor, Malaysia; [email protected] (N.F.A.M.Z.); [email protected] (W.N.W.I.); [email protected] (K.S.)

Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang 43400, Selangor, Malaysia; [email protected]

Siti Faudzi, Natural Medicines and Product Research Laboratory, Institute of Bioscience, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang 43400, Selangor, Malaysia; [email protected] (N.F.A.M.Z.); [email protected] (W.N.W.I.); [email protected] (K.S.)

Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang 43400, Selangor, Malaysia; [email protected]

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