Integrated In vivo and In Silico Evaluation of Phenolic-Rich Extract of Euphorbia hirta Against Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Abstract

Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the gastrointestinal tract characterized by oxidative stress, immune dysregulation and mucosal damage. The limitations of current therapies have increased interest in plant-based alternatives with anti-inflammatory potential. The present study evaluated the anti-inflammatory activity of a phenolic-rich extract of Euphorbia hirta through integrated phytochemical, in-vivo and in-silico approaches. The plant material was collected, authenticated and processed to obtain a phenolic-rich extract. Phytochemical profiling using Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry (GC–MS) and High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) confirmed the presence of major phenolic compounds, including rutin and quercetin. The anti-inflammatory activity was investigated in a dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced experimental model of inflammatory bowel disease in Wistar rats. Animals were divided into five groups (n = 6 per group): control, DSS-induced disease control, standard, and treatment groups. The phenolic-rich extract was administered orally at a dose of 250 mg/kg and 500mg/kg body weight, while the standard group received metronidazole (100mg/kg, p.o.). Disease activity index, body weight changes, histopathological alterations and inflammatory responses were assessed to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of the extract. Treatment with the extract demonstrated significant protective effects against intestinal inflammation and tissue damage compared with the disease control group (p < 0.05). Molecular docking studies were performed to examine the interactions of rutin and quercetin with inflammation-related protein targets. Both compounds exhibited favourable binding affinities, supporting their potential role in modulating inflammatory pathways. The findings suggest that Euphorbia hirta possesses significant anti-inflammatory activity and may serve as a promising natural therapeutic candidate for the management of IBD, supporting its traditional medicinal use and future therapeutic applications.