Antioxidant Potential of Rhodiola Heterodonta Extract: Activation of Nrf2 Pathway Via Integrative In Vivo and In Silico Studies

This study investigates the antioxidant potential of Rhodiola.h extract using a combination of in vivo and in silico approaches. HPLC analysis was conducted to determine the phytochemical composition of the extract. In vivo assays demonstrated significant enzyme activation, with superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity increased by 63.07 ± 1.5 % and catalase activity increased by 58.7 ± 1.6 %. In addition, experiments evaluated malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, highlighting the extract’s ability to reduce lipid peroxidation. Molecular docking studies revealed strong binding affinities of epigallocatechin ( 7.09 kcal/mol), rosavin ( 6.71 kcal/mol), and salidroside ( 6.34 kcal/mol) with the Keap1 protein, a key regulator of the Nrf2 signaling pathway. Pharmacokinetic analysis showed high gastrointestinal absorption for salidroside and flavonoids, underscoring their bioavailability. These findings suggest that R. heterodonta extract holds promise for activating antioxidant response elements and mitigating oxidative stress-related damage. HIGHLIGHTS Improvement of Antioxidant System. Activation of NRF2Patway via extracts. Dual approaching in vitro and in silico. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT