Exploring the therapeutic potential of Tetrastigma bracteolatum (Wall.) Planch. methanol extract and its different fractions: in vitro, in vivo, and in silico approaches

Introduction Tetrastigma bracteolatum: (Wall.) Planch, an indigenous plant of Bangladesh, is traditionally used for pain management. This study aimed to determine its biological activities through an integrated in-vitro , in-vivo , and in silico approaches. Methods Crude methanol extract was prepared using the maceration technique and fractionated into different solvent fractions. Antioxidant, thrombolytic, and membrane-stabilizing activities were assessed in-vitro , while antidiabetic, antidiarrheal, CNS-stimulating, and analgesic activities were performed in-vivo using Swiss albino mice. Results Among the fractions, the chloroform-soluble fraction (CSF) exhibited the highest phenolic content and membrane stabilizing activity, while the aqueous-soluble fraction (AQSF) demonstrated strong antioxidant properties. The petroleum ether fraction showed significant cytotoxic activity. The crude methanol extract exhibited potent antidiarrheal and hypoglycemic effects in mice, with efficacy comparable to standard drugs. The extract significantly exhibited CNS stimulating activity as well. Additionally, it demonstrated analgesic activity by significantly prolonging pain response times and reducing chemically induced pain behaviors in mice. In-silico docking studies revealed strong binding affinities of the extract’s compounds against key biological targets involved in inflammation, pain modulation, and metabolic regulation. Moreover, toxicity predictions indicated that all compounds were non-toxic and free from carcinogenic effects. Discussion These findings suggest that T. bracteolatum possesses promising antioxidant, membrane-stabilizing, antidiarrheal, antihyperglycemic, antidepressant, and analgesic properties, supporting its potential therapeutic applications.