Density functional theory, molecular docking and in vivo muscle relaxant, sedative, and analgesic studies of indanone derivatives isolated from Heterophragma adenophyllum.

Heterophragma adenophyllum (HA) is an important medicinal plant which is used in traditional medicine for the treatment of muscular tension and pain. Herein, we report the isolation of methyl,1,2-dihydroxy-2-(3-methylbut-2-en-1-yl)-3-oxo-2,3-dihydro-1H-indene-1-carboxylate (1), from the roots of H. adenophyllum. The isolated compound 1 was evaluated for in vivo muscle relaxant, sedative, and analgesic potential in Swiss albino mice. Results revealed that the isolated compound 1 exhibited a dose- and time-dependent muscle coordination (51%) and a significant (p < 01) sedative effect. It also showed a considerable (p < 0.5) analgesia after 30 min of post treatment and was maintained for up-to 120 min of experimental duration. In acute toxicity studies, no mortality was observed which indicates a preliminary safety of compound 1. Furthermore, the experimental results were compared with the theoretical studies by using density functional theory (DFT). The stability of the compound as well as the flow of electrons was determined by the calculated Frontier orbital analysis. The calculated stretching frequencies, 1H-NMR/13C-NMR chemical shift values and UV-visible spectra were found to be in agreement with experimental values. The results obtained from molecular docking studies were used to explore the mechanism of analgesic and muscle relaxant activity.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.