Feature-based molecular networking of two Arenga species extracts, appraisal of their anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antidiarrheal activity

Objective: Genus Arenga was used in traditional medicine for their analgesia and anti-inflammatory activities. This study is aimed to report the chemical profile and therapeutic potential in management of diarrhea and pain control for the aqueous methanolic extract (AME) of A. engleri and A.pinnata leaves. Method: The chemical profile was conducted using LC-MS/MS and Feature-based molecular networking (FBMN) for identification of the Arenga phenolic profile. In vitro anti-inflammatory activity estimation was based on the detection of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and elastase generation by activated human neutrophils. The antidiarrheal activity and pain relief activity were estimated separately using three in vivo animal protocol. Results: Diverse flavonoid glycoside and aglycone were identified, where luteolin glycoside and aglycone were the major identified secondary metabolite. The extracts exhibited moderate inhibitory effect on ROS and elastase release The extracts exhibited significant peripheral and central pain relief activity in a dose-dependent manner. For the antidiarrheal effect, castor oil induced diarrhea animal protocol revealed that Arenga AME significantly increase the diarrhea onset, decreased the defecation frequency. Also, it decreased the gastrointestinal motility in charcoal meal protocol and a showed an inhibitory effect on gastrointestinal motility with all investigated doses. Conclusion: The metabolic profile of the AME of Arenga species includes a wide range of bioactive polyphenolic secondary metabolites and revealed the presence of several flavone nucleus such as luteolin which exhibted significant in vitro anti-inflammatory potential and strong analgesic, and antidiarrheal potentials which are validated by designing several in vivo models.