Curculigo Recurvata W.T.Aiton Exhibits Anti-Nociceptive and Anti-Diarrheal Effects in Albino Mice and an in Silico Model

Background: Curculigo recurvata (C. recurvata) is an enthnomedicinally important herb reported to have significant medicinal values. The present study aimed to explore the in vivo and in silico anti-nociceptive and anti-diarrheal effects of a C. recurvate rhizome methanol extract (Me-RCR). Methods: The analgesic effects of Me-RCR were assessed using acetic acid-induced writhing and the formalin-induced flicking test. The drugs were administered intraperitoneally (IP) at doses of 200 and 400 mg/kg body weight (bw). Anti-diarrheal activity was evaluated by assessing intestinal motility, hypersecretion, and fecal score in mice at oral doses of 200 and 400 mg/kg.bw. Computer facilitated analyses for anti-nociceptive and anti-diarrheal activities of three isolated compounds from C. recurvata were undertaken to identify the best-fit phytoconstituents. Results: The Me-RCR showed significant (P<.05) peripheral anti-nociception at the highest dose. The extract inhibited both early and late phases of nociception in the formalin-induced writhing test. In the castor oil-induced diarrhoea model, the extract significantly (P<.05) prolonged the onset time of diarrhoea, inhibited percentage of diarrhoea, and decreased both the volume and weight of intestinal contents. Rates of intestinal fluid accumulation inhibition were (33.61 +/- 1.00)% and (46.44 +/- 0.89)% at Me-RCR doses of 200 and 400 mg/kg.bw, respectively. Moreover, a significant (P<.05) reduction in gastrointestinal motility was observed. An absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion and/or toxicity (ADME/T) test showed that the selected compounds yielded promising results, satisfying Lipinski's rule of five for predicting drug-like potential. Notably, of the three phytoconstituents curculigine and isocurculigine possessed the highest affinity for the COX-1 and COX-2. Isocurculigine was also identified as the most effective anti-diarrheal compound in the computer-facilitated model. Conclusion: An extract of the plant C. recurvata showed potential analgesic and anti-diarrheal activity due to the presence of one or more active secondary metabolite(s).