Background:Uncaria tomentosa is a traditional medicinal herb renowned for its
anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and immune-enhancing properties. In the realm of
neurodegenerative diseases (NDDS), CLASP proteins, responsible for regulating microtubule
dynamics in neurons, have emerged as critical players. Dysregulation of CLASP proteins is
associated with NDDS, such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and Huntington's diseases.
Consequently, comprehending the role of CLASP proteins in NDDS holds promise for the
development of innovative therapeutic interventions.Objectives:The objectives of the research were to identify phytoconstituents in the
hydroalcoholic extract of Uncaria tomentosa (HEUT), to evaluate its antioxidant potential
through in vitro free radical scavenging assays and to explore its potential interaction with
CLASP using in silico molecular docking studies.Methods:HPLC and LC-MS techniques were used to identify and quantify phytochemicals in
HEUT. The antioxidant potential was assessed through DPPH, ferric reducing antioxidant
power (FRAP), nitric oxide (NO) and superoxide (SO) free radical scavenging methods.
Interactions between conventional quinovic acid, chlorogenic acid, epicatechin, corynoxeine,
rhynchophylline and syringic acid and CLASP were studied through in silico molecular docking
using Auto Dock 4.2.Results:The HEUT extract demonstrated the highest concentration of quinovic acid derivatives.
HEUT exhibited strong free radical-scavenging activity with IC50 values of 0.113 μg/ml
(DPPH) and 9.51 μM (FRAP). It also suppressed NO production by 47.1 ± 0.37% at 40 μg/ml
and inhibited 77.3 ± 0.69% of SO generation. Additionally, molecular docking revealed the
potential interaction of quinovic acid with CLASP for NDDS.Conclusion:The strong antioxidant potential of HEUT and the interaction of quinovic acid with
CLASP protein suggest a promising role in treating NDDS linked to CLASP protein dysregulation.