Exploration of In Vitro and In Vivo Pharmacological Activities of the Ethnomedicinal Plant <i>Eranthemum pulchellum</i> Andrews, Supported by In Silico Investigation

Eranthemum pulchellum Andrews, commonly known as blue sage or blue eranthemum, is used traditionally for treating blisters, skin cracks, and as an antiseptic. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the phytochemical profiling and pharmacological properties of the methanolic leaf extract of E. pulchellum (MLEP). MLEP inhibited 1,1-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and α-amylase in a dose-dependent manner, with IC₅₀ values of 22.32 ± 1.03 and 34.25 ± 2.67 µg/mL, respectively, demonstrating its in vitro antioxidant and antidiabetic activity. In vivo, MLEP significantly reduced acetic acid-induced writhing and formalin-induced paw licking in Swiss albino mice, indicating its analgesic properties. Its anxiolytic effects were shown by a notable elevation in time spent as well as entries into the open arms in the elevated plus-maze (EPM), along with increased head dipping in the hole-board test. In the oral glucose tolerance test, MLEP significantly lowered blood glucose levels in mice over 2 h, highlighting its hypoglycemic effect. A total of eight phytochemicals were identified from MLEP, all of which demonstrated strong binding affinities to key drug target proteins associated with the studied diseases. These findings further validate the results obtained from wet lab experiments. However, further research is required to better comprehend its mode of action and safety profile.