Identification, molecular docking and pharmacokinetic evaluation of bioactive flavonoids from Dennettia tripetala Baker. f. (Annonaceae) Root

Dennettia tripetala Baker f. (Annonaceae) is a medicinal plant traditionally used for treating ailments such as pain, inflammation, diabetes, and respiratory conditions. This study focused on isolating and characterizing bioactive compounds from the ethyl acetate fraction of D. tripetala root extract and evaluating their potential therapeutic properties through molecular docking analysis. The plant material was sourced from Itak Ikot Akap village in Ikono local government area of Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. The roots were thoroughly cleaned, air-dried, and ground into a fine powder. An extraction was performed using 70% aqueous methanol, followed by partitioning into various solvent fractions to separate the compounds based on their polarity. Open-column chromatography and preparative thin-layer chromatography (TLC) were employed to isolate rutin, which was identified and characterized using 1H NMR, 13C NMR, and FTIR spectroscopy. Molecular docking studies were performed to evaluate the binding affinities of rutin, quercetin, vitexin, and aspirin (standard) against analgesic and anti-inflammatory protein targets, including TRPV1, µ-opioid receptor, and phospholipase A2. Pharmacokinetic properties were assessed using Lipinski’s rule of five and in silico tools. The spectroscopic data obtained showed that the compound isolated was rutin, a flavonoid with strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Molecular docking revealed that rutin exhibited higher binding affinities compared to aspirin for several protein targets, suggesting its potential as a natural analgesic and anti-inflammatory agent. However, pharmacokinetic analysis indicated poor oral bioavailability due to Lipinski rule violations, emphasizing the need for alternative delivery strategies. This study highlights D. tripetala root as a valuable source of bioactive compounds, particularly rutin, with promising therapeutic applications.