Pharmacodynamic Elucidation of Pelargonium zonale (L.) L'Hér. ex Aiton for its Folkloric Claims in Diarrhea and Asthma via in Vitro, in Vivo and in Silico Methods

Ethnopharmacological relevance Pelargonium zonale (L.) L'Hér. ex Aiton ( P.zonale) is used against various cardiovascular, gastrointestinal and respiratory diseases involving smooth muscles relaxation. It is traditionally used for the treatment of diarrhea, gastropathy, and toothache. Aim of study The current study was designed to validate its conventional applications, we conducted the investigational studies to evaluate the potential mode of operation in the management of disorders pertaining to the cardiovascular system, respiratory tract, and gastrointestinal tract via in-vitro, in-vivo and in-silico studies. Material and methods The bioactive compounds were identified via HPLC done by using a binary-gradient solvent system containing of C-18 column (250 × 4.6 mm, 5 µm), flow rate of 0.8 ml/min, and run time of 36 min was used for the illumination of P.zonale crude extract chromatogram. These compounds were predicted spasmolytic and bronchodilation potential in molecular docking. Invitro methods confirmed the spasmolytic and bronchodilator effects. Analgesic, anti-inflammatory and antidiarrheal experiments were conducted in in-vivo studies. Results Experimental investigations have disclosed that it possesses antidiarrheal, anti-inflammatory, and analgesic attributes. In vitro examinations of this botanical specimen demonstrated its spasmolytic, vasorelaxant, ionotropic, and bronchodilator activities, which involve adrenergic, muscarinic, and potassium ion channels by alleviating sustained contractions induced by phenylephrine (1 µM), carbamylcholine (1 µM), and KCl (25 mM L −1 ) respectively. The properties associated with the opening of potassium channels were validated by conducting repeat experiments in the presence of tetraethylammonium (TEA) and glibenclamide (GB), which confirmed the activation of voltage-activated and ATP-sensitive potassium channels. Both in vitro and in vivo investigations reveal the existence of significant smooth muscle relaxant activity, further corroborated by in silico studies. Conclusion In vitro and in vivo studies reveal substantial capacities for smooth muscle relaxation, which encompass bronchodilation, spasmolytic activity, and vasodilation, with these observations being corroborated by molecular docking analyses. However, further studies are needed to define the clinical significance and safety treatment with P.zonale.