Streblus asper (Moraceae) is traditionally used for neurological and febrile disorders, but its pharmacological basis remains unclear. This study evaluated the S. asper leaf methanolic extract (SAL-ME) for anxiolytic, antidepressant, sedative, and antipyretic activities using Swiss albino mice and in silico docking analyses. Behavioral assays included the elevated plus maze, hole-board, forced swim, tail suspension, hole cross, and open field tests, while brewer's yeast-induced pyrexia was used to assess antipyretic activity. SAL-ME (200 and 400 mg/kg) produced dose-dependent effects, significantly reducing immobility time (p < 0.001), increasing open-arm exploration (p < 0.01), and suppressing locomotor activity, indicating antidepressant, anxiolytic, and sedative actions. A significant antipyretic effect was observed at 400 mg/kg, with a marked reduction in rectal temperature within 3 h posttreatment (p < 0.01). Molecular docking analysis revealed notable binding affinities of octadecanoic acid, hexadecanoic acid, D-pinitol, α-D-glucopyranoside, myo-inositol, and butanedioic acid with target proteins associated with GABAergic, serotonergic, and prostaglandin-mediated pathways. Collectively, these findings suggest that SAL-ME exerts dose-dependent, multitarget pharmacological effects, supporting its potential as a phytotherapeutic candidate for CNS disorders and fever.
Rasel et al. (Thu,) studied this question.