Vitexin as a Potential Antidysmenorrheic Agent: Development of a ZIF-8-Based Immediate-Release System and Evaluation via In Vivo and In Silico Approaches

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Background/Objectives: Primary dysmenorrhea is a prevalent condition that causes severe uterine cramps in women worldwide. The objective of this work was to synthesize and characterize a novel immediate-release system using vitexin and ZIF-8, and to evaluate its pharmacological action in a model of primary dysmenorrhea. Methods: A 22 full factorial design guided the synthesis of the system. Physicochemical characterization was performed by FT-IR, TG, DSC, SEM, XRD, and in vitro release tests. Pharmacological activity was assessed in an oxytocin-induced dysmenorrhea model in mice. In addition, in silico molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations were conducted to explore the potential mechanism of action of vitexin. Results: Optimal yield and loading capacity were achieved at the high levels of the factorial design. Characterization analyses confirmed the successful formation of the vitexin@ZIF-8 (VIT@ZIF-8) system. The release study demonstrated a markedly enhanced dissolution rate of vitexin. Both isolated vitexin and VIT@ZIF-8 reduced abdominal writhing when administered orally at 3 and 30 mg/kg, while intraperitoneal activity was observed only at 30 mg/kg. Computational analyses revealed favorable interactions of vitexin with aldose reductase (AKR1C3), suggesting this enzyme as a potential molecular target in dysmenorrhea. Conclusions: The VIT@ZIF-8 system represents a promising strategy to improve the dissolution profile of vitexin, although pharmacological activity in this model was not superior to the isolated compound. The combined in vivo and in silico evidence supports vitexin as a potential antidysmenorrheic agent, possibly through modulation of AKR1C3. These findings open avenues for future studies addressing the molecular pathways of vitexin and for the development of novel therapeutic approaches for primary dysmenorrhea.

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