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Diabetes is a chronic condition which is locally managed through the stem of Ficus foveolata. To find the exact chemical constituent responsible for this activity, a triterpene lactone (ficusonolide) isolated from F. foveolata was studied for antidiabetic potential through the in vitro antidiabetic paradigm employing L-6 cells and an in vivo antidiabetic assay against non-insulin-dependent rats. The results on glucose uptake in the L-6 cell line indicated that ficusonolide has enhanced the uptake of glucose by 53.27% over control at a dose of 100 μg/mL, while at doses of 50 and 25 μg/mL, the glucose uptake was enhanced by 22.42 and 14.34%, respectively. The extract of F. foveolata (100 mg/kg) and ficusonolide (50 mg/kg) demonstrated a significant (p < 0.001) decline in streptozotocin-induced hyperglycemia of diabetic rats. Ficusonolide displayed conspicuous inhibitory activity against the molecular docking studies with proteins such as dipeptidyl peptidase-IV (DPP-IV), protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP-1B), α-glucosidase, and α-amylase subjected to molecular targets. Detailed computational and structural insights affirmed promising interactions between target proteins and ficusonolide. In conclusion, the plant and its isolated compound have significant antidiabetic activity with a possible mechanism of interaction with DPP-IV, PTP-1B, α-glucosidase, and α-amylase.

Fernandoa adenophylla (Wall. ex G. Don) Steenis is traditionally used to cure various diseases and can be included as an ingredient in massage oils, which are supposed to comfort muscular tension and pain. This study was designed to assess the antinociceptive, muscle relaxant, and molecular docking properties of a novel compound, namely, (5aR,5a1R,6R,7aS,14bR,15R)15-hydroxy-7a-methyl-6-(2-methylprop-1-en-1-yl)-7,7a,14b,15-tetrahydro-5H-t-5a,15methanobenzo[g]benzo[5,6]azuleno[1,8-bc]chromene-5,9,14,16(5a1H,6H)- tetraone (peshawaraquinone), isolated from the methanolic extract of F. adenophylla in an animal model. The chemical structure of the isolated compound was elucidated using advanced spectroscopic techniques and further confirmed by XRD analysis. Compound 1 was tested against hot plate-induced noxious stimuli at various doses (2.5, 5, 10, and 15 mg/kg i.p.). The muscle relaxation potency of compound 1 was evaluated in the inclined and traction test, while the open-field test was used for the determination of sedative potential. The isolated compound was also subjected to acute toxicity analysis. The compound was then subjected to molecular docking analysis to determine the exact mechanism of action. Compound 1 demonstrated significant (p < 0.05) analgesic effect in a dose-dependent manner. A noticeable muscle relaxant effect was observed with the passage of time in both experimental models. The compound 1 showed a significant (p < 0.05) sedative effect, and in an acute toxicity study, the compound 1 was devoid of any noxious effects. The docking studies showed preferential affinity for μ-opioid and GABAA receptors. Hence, the prospective antinociceptive and muscle relaxant and sedative properties are probably mediated through these two target interactions.