Integrated Network Pharmacology, Molecular Docking, and Analysis of Active Constituents of Symplocos sumuntia Along With Their Antioxidative Activity

Inflammation and oxidative stress are closely linked pathological processes, characterized by the excessive generation of reactive oxygen species, which activate redox-sensitive transcription factors, initiating a cascade of pro-inflammatory cytokine release that sustains cellular and tissue damage. This study examined two bioactive compounds derived from Symplocos sumuntia Buch-Ham. ex D Don for their anti-inflammatory properties. Network pharmacology analysis proposed RELA, NFKBIA, and PTGS2 as critical molecular targets, suggesting the suppression of pro-inflammatory cytokines through the NF-κB pathway. Phytochemical profiling showed that the crude extract and ETOAc fraction contained high phenolic compounds. Additionally, in vitro and in silico studies further substantiated the antioxidant properties of this plant. These findings highlight the dual anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties of S. sumuntia, affirming its potential as a natural therapeutic candidate for inflammatory disorders. A validated HPLC-MS method was established to qualify active ingredients, which made utilization of the quality of S. sumuntia-based products on the market by controlling the content of these active constituents. Our study characterized the anti-inflammatory potentials of this plant through assessing the anti-inflammatory mechanisms of its active ingredients and highlighted that this plant might be a promising candidate for the development of anti-inflammatory and antioxidant products.