EFFECT OF HYLOCEREUS UNDATUS FRUIT EXTRACT AGAINST DENGUE ASSOCIATED THROMBOCYTOPENIA IN WISTAR RATS AND MOLECULAR DOCKING STUDIES

Senthil Kumari. C; Indumathi Ayyappan Pillai. A; Kamatchi. A

Volume : IX, Issue : VI, June - 2020

EFFECT OF HYLOCEREUS UNDATUS FRUIT EXTRACT AGAINST DENGUE ASSOCIATED THROMBOCYTOPENIA IN WISTAR RATS AND MOLECULAR DOCKING STUDIES

Senthil Kumari. C, Indumathi Ayyappan Pillai. A, Kamatchi. A

Abstract :

OBJECTIVE:To investigate the effect of Hylocereus undatus fruit extract against Dengue associated thrombocytopenia in Wistar rats and molecular docking studies. MATERIALS AND METHODS: (a) The aqueous extract of dried fruit of Hylocereus undatus was extracted using cold maceration process and the extract were divided into different concentration such as 200mg/kg and 400mg/kg and In vivo studies were performed to investigate bleeding time, clotting time and platelet increasing activity and compared with the standard drug prednisolone (0.5mg/kg). (b) Phytochemical studies were evaluated using HPLC technique. (c)Molecular docking studies involving the interaction between phytochemicals of Hylocereus undatus and dengue viral proteins. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: The results revealed that fourteen–day administration of 200 mg/kg and 400mg/kg of Hylocereus undatus showed increased of platelet count in dose dependant manner, 400mg had significantly increased platelet counts (11.55�0.36) x105/�l when compared to control group. Similarly, the bleeding time was decreased and the clotting time was increased in ethanol–induced thrombocytopenic rats. MOLECULAR DOCKING: Phytochemicals found in Hylocereus undatus, specifically quercetin, β amyrin, gallic acid γ sitosterol, kaempferol, were used for docking study using AUTODOCK software applications. The dengue protease (2FOM) and dengue methyl transferase (2P40) have been selected as targets for binding assays. CONCLUSION: According to the study, it was concluded that the Hylocereus undatus is a potential therapy against thrombocytopenia in dengue as it possesses a significant platelet increasing activities. Out of the phytochemicals, quercetin was found to exhibit the strongest binding with dengue targets. Hence, this study indicates that the Hylocereus undatus is effective against dengue virus.