LC–ESI–MS/MS Metabolites Profiling, Biological Activity, and Docking Studies of Dendrocalamus strictus Munro

Dendrocalamus strictus Munro is a recognized medicinal plant, but research on its phytochemical and biological activity is limited. The research aims to explore the phytochemical and biological characteristics of the plant, especially antibiofilm, antioxidant, and cytotoxic effects.

LC–ESI–MS/MS was utilized for the metabolic profiling of Dendrocalamus strictus. Total phenol and flavonoid contents were evaluated using Folin–Ciocalteu and aluminum chloride reagents, respectively. Antimicrobial activity, minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), minimum biofilm inhibitory concentration (MBIC), and minimum biofilm eradication concentration (MBEC) were assessed. Free radical scavenging activity against DPPH was determined. The cytotoxic effects on several cell lines were examined using an MTT assay. Additionally, molecular docking was employed to assess tricin and isoorientin's antimicrobial and cytotoxic potential.

Fourty seven components were identified, tricin is the most prominent (18.16%), followed by isoorientin (14.37%). The methanol extract contained 20.95 mg GAE/g dry weight and 119.65 mg QE/g dry weight of total phenol and flavonoid contents, respectively. Methanol extract also significantly scavenged DPPH (IC₅₀ 14.01 µg/mL), displayed significant MIC, MBIC, and MBEC, and exhibited a significant selective cytotoxic effect, with IC₅₀ values ranging from 1.93 to 4.15 µg/mL. Isoorientin and tricin were identified as potential inhibitors against microbial protein targets, specifically secreted aspartic protease in C. albicans, PqsR in P. aeruginosa, and F98Y DHFR in S. aureus. Moreover, both isoorientin and tricin demonstrated distinct binding modes with VEGFR2.

These findings underscore the promising therapeutic potential of Dendrocalamus strictus and position it as a potential source of natural compounds with multifaceted activities.