In Silico, In Vitro and In Vivo Anti-inflammatory and Analgesic Activity of Usnic Acid

This study documents the use of Usnic acid as a prime candidate with a view to predict its analgesic and anti inflammatory activity, via a mechanistic approach through in silico docking techniques and in vitro assays to extrapolate these results to its in vivo activity. Swiss docking software was used to dock usnic acid with COX, iNOS, MAGL, TRPV1, GABA, glutamate and monoamine oxidase to determine its mechanism. In silico studies proved that usnic acid had similar binding energies compared to standard drug. In vitro assays including HRBC membrane stabilizing assay, albumin denaturation inhibitory assay, proteinase inhibitory assay and lipoxygenase assay further supported in silico study results which was then confirmed by in vivo assays. In silico as well as in vitro data together proved to be fruitful in predicting good analgesic as well as anti-inflammatory activity which can help in reducing animal studies.