Investigation of the Anti-asthmatic Activity of Solidagenone, In Vitro Toxicity Versus In Silico Studies

Solidagenone, a labdane diterpene isolated from inflorescences of Solidago chilensis Meyen, Asteraceae, was investigated for its anti-inflammatory and anti-asthmatic action. Allergic pleurisy and allergic lung inflammation assays were performed at doses of 1, 10, 50, and 100 mg/kg in ovalbumin-sensitized mice. In vitro cytotoxicity was performed, using the [3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide] MTT assay in a murine J774A1 macrophage cell line and human blood cells at concentrations of 0.1–100 µg/ml, as well as genotoxicity using the comet assay. In addition, in silico predictions were performed using ADMET Predictor TM software to predict absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, and toxicity. This study showed the anti-inflammatory activity and the possibility of an anti-asthmatic action of solidagenone at a concentration of 6 mg considering calculations for adult humans. Furthermore, it was possible to assess toxicity in vitro under the conditions performed and compare it with the in silico predictions. Graphical Abstract