Unveiling the dual antioxidant power of Androsace sempervivoides L.: in vitro, in vivo and histopathological insights in LPS-induced inflammation in albino Wistar rat models

Inflammation and oxidative stress are pivotal in the initiation and progression of several chronic diseases. Plant-derived bioactive compounds rich in phytochemicals are increasingly being explored as safer alternatives to synthetic drugs. Androsace sempervivoides, a native medicinal plant of the Ladakh region, possesses promising bioactive potential and has been extensively employed in traditional medicinal practices; however, its therapeutic activities remain largely unexplored. In vitro antioxidant assays, including DPPH, reducing power, hydroxyl radical scavenging, metal chelation (ferrozine), levels of total phenolics (TPC) and total flavonoids (TFC), and DNA damage protection, were carried out using standard procedures. Forty two (42) adult male albino Wistar rats (170–200 g, 6–8 weeks old) were randomly allocated to seven groups. Six rats per group were used to determine antioxidant enzyme levels and to perform histopathological studies. Western blotting and qRT-PCR analyses were conducted to evaluate the protein and gene expression of various inflammatory markers. Among all the extracts evaluated, the ethanol extract (ASE) and ethyl acetate extract (ASEA) displayed the strongest antioxidant potential. The DPPH radical scavenging activity was 86.11 ± 2.21% and 78.46 ± 2.56%, reducing power was 4.630 ± 0.46 and 4.626 ± 0.34, hydroxyl radical scavenging activity was 85.89 ± 1.88%, and 73.07 ± 2.05%, and metal chelation activity was 95 ± 2.48% and 88 ± 4.31%, for the ASE and ASEA, respectively (P < 0.0001, n = 3). The TPC of the same extracts was 784.68 ± 9.39 and 713.7 ± 8.14 mg GAE g− 1 extract, while TFC was 537.59 ± 6.38 and 489.08 ± 5.02 mg QUE g− 1 extract, respectively (P < 0.001, n = 3). Both extracts also effectively protected DNA from Fenton reaction–induced DNA damage, confirming their strong antioxidant and protective potential. In vivo, these extracts significantly restored elevated superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) levels, with the maximum effect observed with ethanol, followed by ethyl acetate extract. Western blot and qRT-PCR analyses showed marked suppression (P < 0.05) of the inflammatory markers TNFα and IL1β at both the protein and mRNA levels. Histopathological evaluation showed that ethanol (100 mg/kg bw), followed by ethyl acetate (100 mg/kg bw), protected against tissue damage and blood vessel rupture, comparable to that of standard dexamethasone. Overall, Androsace sempervivoides, particularly its ethanol and ethyl acetate extracts, revealed remarkable antioxidant and anti-inflammatory capacities, underscoring its potential as an emerging natural source for formulating therapeutic agents against oxidative stress and inflammation-related disorders.