Neuropharmacological and Antipyretic Potentials of Streblus asper Leaves: Integrated In Vivo and In Silico Approaches

Streblus asper (Moraceae) is traditionally used for neurological and febrile disorders, but its pharmacological basis remains unclear. This study evaluated the S. asper leaf methanolic extract (SAL-ME) for anxiolytic, antidepressant, sedative, and antipyretic activities using Swiss albino mice and in silico docking analyses. Behavioral assays included the elevated plus maze, hole-board, forced swim, tail suspension, hole cross, and open field tests, while brewer's yeast-induced pyrexia was used to assess antipyretic activity. SAL-ME (200 and 400 mg/kg) produced dose-dependent effects, significantly reducing immobility time (p < 0.001), increasing open-arm exploration (p < 0.01), and suppressing locomotor activity, indicating antidepressant, anxiolytic, and sedative actions. A significant antipyretic effect was observed at 400 mg/kg, with a marked reduction in rectal temperature within 3 h posttreatment (p < 0.01). Molecular docking analysis revealed notable binding affinities of octadecanoic acid, hexadecanoic acid, D-pinitol, α-D-glucopyranoside, myo-inositol, and butanedioic acid with target proteins associated with GABAergic, serotonergic, and prostaglandin-mediated pathways. Collectively, these findings suggest that SAL-ME exerts dose-dependent, multitarget pharmacological effects, supporting its potential as a phytotherapeutic candidate for CNS disorders and fever.