Bronchodilatory Activity of Moringa Oleifera: An in-Vitro and in-Silico Analysis

Background: Bronchodilation is a critical therapeutic approach in managing asthma. Traditional medicine documents bronchodilatory effects of Moringa oleifera, suggesting that it can help alleviate airway constriction and improve respiratory function. Objective : To explore the bronchodilatory effect of Moringa oleifera leaf extract, through in-vitro and in-silico analysis. Methods: An in-vitro experimental study and in-silico analysis was performed in the Pharmacology Department of CMH Lahore Medical College – From October 2022 to July 2023. Swiss albino mice were used for the study. Trachea was dissected and mounted in organ baths connected to the PowerLab data acquisition system. Contractions were induced using acetylcholine (ACh) and high potassium chloride (KCl), and incremental doses of the Moringa oleifera leaf extract were cumulatively added to observe bronchodilator activity. This was followed by in-silico analysis of catechin, gallic acid, quercetin and isoquercetin. Pharmacokinetic profiling and molecular docking were carried out. Results: Moringa oleifera leaf extract reduced contractions induced by Ach and KCl, leading to tracheal relaxation, with an IC50 of 1.223 mg and 4.574 mg, respectively. A significant difference between the IC50 values of ACh and KCl induced contractions was observed (p=0.0008). Pharmacokinetic profiling documented drug likeness for catechin, gallic acid, and quercetin. Molecular docking analysis revealed that quercetin exhibited the highest binding affinity to the voltage gated calcium channel. Conclusion: In-vitro investigation demonstrated the significant bronchodilatory effect of Moringa oleifera. The in-silico analysis provided insights into potential active compounds, with quercetin showing promising interactions with the target protein.