Issue

Vol. 37 No. 12 (2025): Vol 37 Issue 12, 2025

Copyright (c) 2025 Kaniga Pandi, Binoy Varghese Cheriyan, Abisheka Sree Anburaj, Lini priyadharshini christopher jebaraj, Lavanya Murugesan, Kaviyashri Ramesh, Sam Jebaraj Y

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Extraction and Pharmacological Validation of Ursolic Acid from Hedyotis diffusa: A Molecular Docking Approach against Inflammation and Colon Cancer

https://doi.org/10.14233/ajchem.2025.34342
Kaniga Pandi
Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Saveetha College of Pharmacy, SIMATS, Chennai-602105, India
https://orcid.org/0009-0001-0846-5246
Binoy Varghese Cheriyan
Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Saveetha College of Pharmacy, SIMATS, Chennai-602105, India
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0830-6816
Abisheka Sree Anburaj
Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Saveetha College of Pharmacy, SIMATS, Chennai-602105, India
https://orcid.org/0009-0003-6185-5483
Lini Priyadharshini Christopher Jebaraj
Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Saveetha College of Pharmacy, SIMATS, Chennai-602105, India
https://orcid.org/0009-0009-0719-039X
Lavanya Murugesan
Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Saveetha College of Pharmacy, SIMATS, Chennai-602105, India
https://orcid.org/0009-0001-6839-2894
Kaviyashri Ramesh
Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Saveetha College of Pharmacy, SIMATS, Chennai-602105, India
https://orcid.org/0009-0003-8354-2090
Sam Jebaraj
Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Saveetha College of Pharmacy, SIMATS, Chennai-602105, India
https://orcid.org/0009-0006-5063-5938

Corresponding Author(s) : Kaniga Pandi

kanigapharma@gmail.com

Asian Journal of Chemistry, Vol. 37 No. 12 (2025): Vol 37 Issue 12, 2025

Abstract

In traditional Chinese and Indian medical systems, Hedyotis diffusa is a well-known medicinal plant that is renowned for its wide range of pharmacological properties. The extraction, identification and pharmacological confirmation of ursolic acid a significant bioactive triterpenoid from H. diffusa are the main objectives of this investigation. The ethanolic extract was subjected to Soxhlet extraction, followed by column chromatography for the isolation of ursolic acid, which was subsequently confirmed by GC-MS analysis. A major peak at retention time 38.25 min and a molecular ion peak at m/z 456 confirmed its identity. The anti-inflammatory properties of ursolic acid were assessed using protein denaturation and membrane stabilization tests, showing notable suppression in a dose-dependent manner that was on par with that of regular diclofenac. Moreover, the MTT assay was used to evaluate its anticancer effectiveness against colon cancer cell lines (HT-29), where ursolic acid exhibited distinguished cytotoxicity with an IC50 value suggestive of strong anti-proliferative effects. To gain mechanistic insights, molecular docking studies were performed using AutoDock, targeting COX-2 (PDB ID: 1CX2) for inflammation and TNIK (PDB ID: 6GUE) for colon cancer. Ursolic acid displayed high binding affinities and stable interactions with both targets, indicating its potential dual inhibitory action. These results support the therapeutic relevance of ursolic acid from H. diffusa as a promising natural compound for managing inflammation and colon cancer.

Keywords

Ursolic acid Hedyotis diffusa Anti-inflammatory activity Colon cancer Molecular docking
(1)
Pandi, K.; Cheriyan, B. V.; Anburaj, A. S.; Jebaraj, L. P. C.; Murugesan, L.; Ramesh, K.; Jebaraj, S. Extraction and Pharmacological Validation of Ursolic Acid from Hedyotis Diffusa: A Molecular Docking Approach Against Inflammation and Colon Cancer. ajc 2025, 37, 2983-2988.
Download Citation
Endnote/Zotero/Mendeley (RIS)
BibTeX
References
  1. Y.J. Surh, Nat. Rev. Cancer, 3, 768 (2003); https://doi.org/10.1038/nrc1189
  2. K.B. Michels, E. Giovannucci, A.T. Chan, R. Singhania, C.S. Fuchs and W.C. Willett, Cancer Res., 66, 3942 (2006); https://doi.org/10.1158/0008-5472.CAN-05-3637
  3. A.R. Amin, O. Kucuk, F.R. Khuri and D.M. Shin, J. Clin. Oncol., 27, 2712 (2009); https://doi.org/10.1200/JCO.2008.20.6235
  4. F. Tosetti, D.M. Noonan and A. Albini, Int. J. Cancer, 125, 1997 (2009); https://doi.org/10.1002/ijc.24677
  5. F.R. Greten and S.I. Grivennikov, Immunity, 51, 27 (2019); https://doi.org/10.1016/j.immuni.2019.06.025
  6. Y. Xie, F. Liu, Y. Wu, Y. Zhu, Y. Jiang, Q. Wu, Z. Dong and K. Liu, Mol. Cancer, 24, 51 (2025); https://doi.org/10.1186/s12943-025-02243-8
  7. M.H. Pan, G. Ghai and C.T. Ho, Mol. Nutr. Food Res., 52, 43 (2008); https://doi.org/10.1002/mnfr.200700380
  8. J. Qin, W. Wang and R. Zhang, Chin. J. Nat. Med., 15, 401 (2017); https://doi.org/10.1016/S1875-5364(17)30062-6
  9. A. Narayanankutty, Curr. Mol. Pharmacol., 14, 760 (2021); https://doi.org/10.2174/1874467214666210120152657
  10. P. Pandey, S. Lakhanpal, D. Mahmood, H.N. Kang, B. Kim, S. Kang, J. Choi, M. Choi, S. Pandey, M. Bhat, S. Sharma, F. Khan, M.N. Park and B. Kim, Front. Pharmacol., 15, 1513422 (2025); https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2024.1513422
  11. S. Terracciano, M. Aquino, M. Rodriquez, M.C. Monti, A. Casapullo, R. Riccio and L. Gomez-Paloma, Curr. Med. Chem., 13, 1947 (2006); https://doi.org/10.2174/092986706777585095
  12. F. Akhter, M.S. Rahman, G.M. Al Amin, M.I. Miah, and Y.-S. Koh, J. Bacteriol. Virol., 51, 149 (2021); https://doi.org/10.4167/jbv.2021.51.4.149
  13. H.A. Saleh, M.H. Yousef and A. Abdelnaser, Front. Immunol., 12, 606069 (2021); https://doi.org/10.3389/fimmu.2021.606069
  14. J.A. Ngum, F.J. Tatang, M.H. Toumeni, S.N. Nguengo, U.S.F. Simo, C.F. Mezajou, C. Kameni, N. Njike-Ngongang, M.F. Tchinda, F.F. Dongho-Dongmo, M. Akami, A.R. Ngane Ngono and O. Tamgue, Front. Pharmacol., 14, 1144836 (2023); https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2023.1144836
  15. A. Duvoix, R. Blasius, S. Delhalle, M. Schnekenburger, F. Morceau, E. Henry, M. Dicato and M. Diederich, Cancer Lett., 223, 181 (2005); https://doi.org/10.1016/j.canlet.2004.09.041
  16. V. Nandakumar, T. Singh and S.K. Katiyar, Cancer Lett., 269, 378 (2008); https://doi.org/10.1016/j.canlet.2008.03.049
  17. L. Reddy, B. Odhav and K.D. Bhoola, Pharmacol. Ther., 99, 1 (2003); https://doi.org/10.1016/S0163-7258(03)00042-1
  18. V. Benetou, P. Orfanos, P. Lagiou, D. Trichopoulos, P. Boffetta and A. Trichopoulou, Cancer Epidemiol. Biomarkers Prev., 17, 387 (2008); https://doi.org/10.1158/1055-9965.EPI-07-2665
  19. N.D. Freedman, Y. Park, A.F. Subar, A.R. Hollenbeck, M.F. Leitzmann, A. Schatzkin and C.C. Abnet, Int. J. Cancer, 122, 2330 (2008); https://doi.org/10.1002/ijc.23319
  20. B.M. Schmidt, J.W. Erdman Jr. and M.A. Lila, Cancer Lett., 231, 240 (2006); https://doi.org/10.1016/j.canlet.2005.02.003
  21. M.A. Shammas, P. Neri, H. Koley, R.B. Batchu, R.C. Bertheau, V. Munshi, R. Prabhala, M. Fulciniti, Y.T. Tai, S.P. Treon, R.K. Goyal, K.C. Anderson and N.C. Munshi, Blood, 108, 2804 (2006); https://doi.org/10.1182/blood-2006-05-022814
  22. R.P. Singh, A. Tyagi, G. Sharma, S. Mohan and R. Agarwal, Clin. Cancer Res., 14, 300 (2008); https://doi.org/10.1158/1078-0432.CCR-07-1565
  23. K.H. Kwon, A. Barve, S. Yu, M.T. Huang and A.N. Kong, Acta Pharmacol. Sin., 28, 1409 (2007); https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1745-7254.2007.00694.x
  24. S. Mercadante, G. Bellavia, A.L. Cascio, M. Dabbene, G. di Silvestre, A. Casuccio, B. Orlando, T. Favara, C. Scibilia, M. Gueci, L. Adamoli, M. Mauceri, A. de Lisi, M.L. Mauro and G. Pirajno, Support. Care Cancer, 30, 2003 (2022); https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-021-06580-4
  25. J.H. Martin and J. Patel, Intern. Med. J., 52, 1677 (2022); https://doi.org/10.1111/imj.15922
  26. M.H. Pan, Y.S. Chiou, M.L. Tsai and C.T. Ho, J. Tradit. Complement. Med., 1, 8 (2011); https://doi.org/10.1016/S2225-4110(16)30052-9
  27. P. Bharathy and V. V. Thanikachalam, Pharmacol. Res. Mod. Chin. Med., 14, 100565 (2025); https://doi.org/10.1016/j.prmcm.2024.100565
  28. C. Tao and C.M. Taylor, in eds.: Z.Y. Wu, P.H. Raven and D.Y. Hong, Rubiaceae. In: Flora of China; Science Press: Beijing, China; vol. 19, pp. 147–174 (2011).
  29. C.J. Hu, J. He, G.Z. Li, P.P. Fang, J.D. Xie, Y.W. Ding, Y.Q. Mao and K.F. Hu, Comput. Methods Programs Biomed., 174, 1 (2019); https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cmpb.2018.10.019
  30. L. Ou, M. Li and Y. Hou, Heliyon, 10, e28833 (2024); https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e28833
  31. X.G. Zhang, Ph.D. Dissertation, Isolation and Characterisation of the Anti-Tumour Activity of Some Chinese Plants Used in Cancer Treatment, The University of Manchester, U.K. (1995).
  32. S. Wang, N. Yin, Y. Li, Z. Ma, W. Lin, L. Zhang, Y. Cui, J. Xia and L. Geng, Front. Pharmacol., 15, 1355531 (2024); https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2024.1355531
  33. J. Shao, G. Gong and L. Trombetta, in eds.: W. Cho, An Evidence-Based Perspective of Hedyotis diffusa or Oldenlandia diffusa (Spreading Hedyotis) for Cancer Patients; In: Evidence-based Anticancer Materia Medica, Dordrecht: Springer, pp. 123–136 (2011).
  34. L. Xu, Y. Li, J. Ji, Y. Lai, J. Chen, T. Ding, H. Li, B. Ding and W. Ge, J. Ethnopharmacol., 298, 115597 (2022); https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2022.115597
  35. T. Efferth, P.C. Li, V.S. Konkimalla and B. Kaina, Trends Mol. Med., 13, 353 (2007); https://doi.org/10.1016/j.molmed.2007.07.001
  36. J. Lin, Q. Li, H. Chen, H. Lin, Z. Lai and J. Peng, Oncol. Lett., 9, 1962 (2015); https://doi.org/10.3892/ol.2015.2956
  37. P. Zhang, B. Zhang, J. Gu, L. Hao, F. Hu and C. Han, Cell Biochem. Biophys., 72, 783 (2015); https://doi.org/10.1007/s12013-015-0532-9
  38. Ł. Woźniak, S. Skąpska and K. Marszałek, Molecules, 20, 20614 (2015); https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules201119721
  39. M.K. Shanmugam, X. Dai, A.P. Kumar, B.K. Tan, G. Sethi and A. Bishayee, Biochem. Pharmacol., 85, 1579 (2013); https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bcp.2013.03.006
  40. R. Samineni, P. Samathoti, S.A. Gouru, A. Khan, P.P. Sp, K. Manda, V.K. M and N. Podila, Biomed. Pharmacol. J., 17, 1769 (2024); https://doi.org/10.13005/bpj/2982
  41. W. Ahmad, M.A. Ansari, A. Alsayari, D. Almaghaslah, S. Wahab, M.N. Alomary, Q.M.S. Jamal, F.A. Khan, A. Ali, P. Alam and A.Y. Elderdery, Pharmaceuticals, 15, 1348 (2022); https://doi.org/10.3390/ph15111348
  42. R. Chen, J. He, X. Tong, L. Tang and M. Liu, Molecules, 21, 710 (2016); https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules21060710
  43. M.C. Wei and Y.C. Yang, Sep. Purif. Technol., 130, 182 (2014); https://doi.org/10.1016/j.seppur.2014.04.029
  44. J. Manoharan, P.S. Kumari, V.R. Punithavathi, M.K.D. Jothinathan, A. Arulanandam and D. Anbumani, Res. J. Pharm. Technol., 17, 5931 (2024); https://doi.org/10.52711/0974-360X.2024.00899
  45. B. Shah, P. Modi and S.R. Sagar, Life Sci., 252, 117652 (2020); https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lfs.2020.117652
  46. M.A. Abdelgawad, M.M. Al-Sanea, A. Musa, M. Elmowafy, A.K. El-Damasy, A.A. Azouz, M.M. Ghoneim and R.B. Bakr, J. Inflamm. Res., 15, 451 (2022); https://doi.org/10.2147/JIR.S343263
  47. F. Surrel, I. Jemel, E. Boilard, J.G. Bollinger, C. Payré, C.M. Mounier, K.A. Talvinen, V.J. Laine, T.J. Nevalainen, M.H. Gelb and G. Lambeau, Mol. Pharmacol., 76, 778 (2009); https://doi.org/10.1124/mol.108.053371
  48. H.Y. Hung, K.C. Cheng, P.C. Kuo, I.T. Chen, Y.C. Li, T.L. Hwang, S.H. Lam and T.S. Wu, Antioxidants, 11, 335 (2022); https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox11020335
  49. J. Lin, Y. Chen, L. Wei, X. Chen, W. Xu, Z. Hong, T.J. Sferra and J. Peng, Int. J. Oncol., 37, 1331 (2010); https://doi.org/10.3892/ijo_00000686
  50. Y. Yang, P. Liu, M. Zhou, L. Yin, M. Wang, T. Liu, X. Jiang and H. Gao, Biochim. Biophys. Acta Mol. Basis Dis., 1870, 166880 (2024); https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bbadis.2023.166880
  51. M. Yasir, J. Park, E.T. Han, W.S. Park, J.H. Han, Y.S. Kwon, H.J. Lee and W. Chun, ACS Omega, 8, 34160 (2023); https://doi.org/10.1021/acsomega.3c05425
Read More
Author biographies is not available.
Crossref
Scopus
Google Scholar
Europe PMC
Download
PDF
Statistic
Read Counter : 32 Download : 29
PlumX