UPLC‐QTOF‐MS/MS Analysis, Antioxidant, Antiarthritic Potentials and Molecular Docking of <i>Clusia rosea</i> Jacq. Cultivated in Egypt

Clusiaceae comprises many biologically active plants, among them Clusia rosea Jacq., which possesses antibacterial and anti-HIV activities. In the current study, the phytochemical constituents of C. rosea leaves methanolic extract were profiled using Ultra-Performance Liquid Chromatography coupled with Quadrupole-Time-of-Flight-Mass Spectrometry (UPLC-QTOF-MS/MS) in both negative and positive modes. Leaves total phenolics and flavonoids contents were determined. The antioxidant activity of the methanolic extract of the leaves and its fractions was evaluated by DPPH, ABTS and FRAP assays. Also, the antiarthritic activity of the methanolic extract of the leaves and its fractions was evaluated in vitro using protein denaturation, membrane stabilization and xanthine oxidase inhibitory assays. UPLC-QTOF-MS/MS analysis resulted in the identification of 65 compounds belonging to phenolic acids, flavonoids, biflavonoids, benzophenones, xanthones, fatty acids and triterpenes. The total phenolics content recorded 35.23 ± 1.60 mg GAE/g extract, while the total flavonoids content was 9.77 ± 0.48 mg RE/g. The n-butanol fraction was the most potent fraction as an antioxidant, followed by the ethyl acetate fraction. Meanwhile, ethyl acetate exhibited the most potent antiarthritic effect in the three assays. Moreover, two molecular docking processes were performed to investigate the inhibitory potential of the identified compounds from C. rosea leaves methanolic extract towards COX-2 and cytochrome C peroxidase target receptors. The results revealed the diversity of phytoconstituents present in the leaves of C. rosea and its importance as an antioxidant and antiarthritic natural remedy.