Phytochemical Analysis and Safety Assessment of Watercress Nasturtium officinale: Antioxidant Capacity, Heavy Metal Profiling, and Toxicity Using Brine Shrimp Model

PHARMACOGNOSTIC EVALUATION, PHYTOCHEMICAL ANALYSIS AND ASSESSMENT OF ANTIOXIDANT, ANTIDIABETIC AND HEPATOPROTECTIVE PROPERTIES OF THE ETHANOLIC EXTRACT OF HODGSONIA HETEROCLITA (ROXB.) HOOK.F. AND THOMSON

Background: Hodgsonia heteroclita (Roxb.) Hook.f. & Thomson is a medicinal species warranting comprehensive investigation for quality standards, chemical composition, and biological efficacy. This research sought to integrate foundational quality control with preliminary phytochemical identification and to evaluate the extract's antioxidant, antidiabetic, hepatoprotective, and safety profiles. Methods: The powdered plant material underwent analysis for pharmacognostic features and physicochemical constants such as extractive value, moisture content, ash value, and yield from extraction. Extracts were prepared with water, ethanol, and petroleum ether and subjected to qualitative screening for major phytoconstituent classes. Antioxidant capacity was determined using the DPPH radical-scavenging method, employing BHT as a reference standard. Acute oral toxicity of the ethanolic extract was evaluated in albino rats as per OECD guideline 423. Efficacy studies involved administering 200 mg/kg of the ethanolic extract in oral glucose tolerance and alloxan-induced diabetic models, monitoring blood glucose, body weight, lipid parameters, and examining pancreatic tissues. Hepatoprotective potential was assessed in rats with CCl₄-induced hepatic injury by measuring serum SGPT, SGOT, ALP, and total bilirubin, alongside histological analysis. TLC was utilized for chromatographic profiling of column fractions to detect principal chemical classes. Results: The crude powder appeared coarse and brown. Extractive values were highest in water (20%), followed by ethanol (14%) and petroleum ether (4%), with extraction yields of 12.3%, 8.4%, and 6.8%, respectively. Preliminary phytochemical evaluation indicated the presence of carbohydrates, steroids, and glycosides in water and ethanol extracts, and tannins in the aqueous extract. The ethanolic extract displayed the most potent DPPH scavenging ability, with an IC₅₀ of 238 µg/mL, outperforming the aqueous (417 µg/mL) and petroleum ether (897 µg/mL) extracts. No acute toxicity or mortality was observed in rats at a dose of 2000 mg/kg. Administration of the ethanolic extract led to a substantial decrease in blood glucose in alloxan-induced diabetic rats, from 270.3 mg/dL to 124.5 mg/dL over 15 days, along with improvement in serum lipid profiles. For CCl₄-induced liver injury, the extract reduced SGPT, SGOT, ALP, and total bilirubin levels, and lessened hepatic tissue damage. TLC analysis provided early indications of sterols and anthraquinones. Conclusion: The ethanolic extract of Hodgsonia heteroclita demonstrated significant antioxidant, antidiabetic, and hepatoprotective activities, supported by preliminary phytochemical and chromatographic data. Acute oral toxicity findings suggest safety at the tested dosage. Further studies involving advanced chromatographic techniques (HPLC/LC MS), comprehensive dose-response analysis, independent replication, and mechanistic exploration are necessary to validate the therapeutic potential of this plant.

Phytochemical profile and antioxidant potential of two medicinal plant extracts used in the traditional treatment of malaria in Abengourou (Eastern Côte d'Ivoire)

Malaria, like many infectious or chronic diseases, is often associated with excessive production of free radicals. Supplementation with antioxidant compounds could thus promote faster recovery. This study evaluated the antioxidant activity of hydroethanolic extracts from the leaves of Momordica charantia (Cucurbitaceae) L. and Periploca nigrescens (Apocynaceae) Afzel., two plants traditionally used to treat malaria. Sterols, polyterpenes, polyphenols, flavonoids, tannins, quinones, and alkaloids were identified using specific chemical reactions. The total phenol and flavonoid contents were determined using Folin-Ciocalteu reagent and sodium nitrite. Radical scavenging activity was assessed using the DPPH and ABTS assays, and the reducing power was evaluated using the ferric ion reduction method (FRAP assay). The results show that Momordica charantia had the highest concentrations of total polyphenols (200.2 ± 0.92 mg EAG/g) and flavonoids (101.3 ± 1.41 mg ECA/g). The IC50 values for DPPH were 6.92 µg/mL for Periploca nigrescens and 8.28 µg/mL for Momordicacharantia. For the ABTS test, inhibition rates ranged from 0.79 ± 0.02 µM Eq Trolox/g for Momordica charantia to 0.65 ± 0.01 µM Eq Trolox/g for Periploca nigrescens. The extracts showed low chelation powers compared to EDTA. These findings suggest that the extracts possess antioxidant properties that may reduce oxidative stress and enhance the immune system. This justifies their use in traditional malaria treatment.   

Phytochemical Study, in vitro Antioxidant Activities and in vitro Determination of Free Glucose Concentration when Brought into Contact with Extracts of Tetracera rosiflora (Dillenianaceae) Leaves

Tetracera rosiflora Gilg (Dilleniaceae) is a medicinal plant traditionally used in the Congolese pharmacopoeia to treat various diseases, including diabetes. This study aimed to determine the phytochemical composition, evaluate the in vitro antioxidant potential, and assess the glucose-lowering capacity of T. rosiflora leaf extracts. Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of coumarins, iridoids, anthocyanins, polyphenols, flavonoids, and tannins. Quantitative assays indicated total polyphenols (42.12 ± 1.14 mg GAE/g), flavonoids (0.090 ± 0.002 mg QE/g), and anthocyanins (0.30 ± 0.07 mg CE/g). The quantification of mineral elements by x-ray fluorescence revealed 29 elements with hight conecntration of Ca, K, S and Mg. The organic extracts exhibited strong antioxidant activity by scavenging ABTS and DPPH radicals, with higher efficacy in the ABTS assay (IC50: 5.48 ± 3.23 µg/mL for ethanol extract; 25.65 ± 8.67 µg/mL for dichloromethane extract) compared to DPPH (IC50: 10.81 ± 0.86 µg/mL and 96.16 ± 16.73 µg/mL, respectively). Furthermore, in vitro glucose-binding assays demonstrated that organic extracts markedly reduced free glucose concentrations, confirming their potential antidiabetic activity. These findings support the traditional use of T. rosiflora and highlight its promise as a source of natural antioxidant and hypoglycemic agents.

Analysis of heavy metals, bioactive components, and non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic health risk assessment based on drying methods in medicinal plants of Bangladesh

Traditional medicinal plants are widely used for therapeutic, nutritional, and cosmetic applications, yet their safety and quality remain major concerns due to possible contamination and processing related degradation. This study evaluates the physicochemical properties, antioxidant activity, and heavy metal-associated health risks of nine medicinal plant species commonly used in Bangladesh-ILCR, Phyllanthus emblica, Withania somnifera (leaf and root), Terminalia arjuna, Justicia adhatoda, Ocimum sanctum Linn., Hibiscus rosa-sinensis, Psidium guajava Linn., and Azadirachta indica processed through heat pump and traditional sun drying methods. Moisture, protein, and total phenolic contents were determined alongside DPPH radical scavenging activity to assess bioactive compound preservation. Heavy metal concentrations (Pb, Cd, Cr, Mn, As, Ni, and Se) were quantified via Graphite Furnace Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (GF-AAS), and non-carcinogenic (HQ, HI) and carcinogenic (ILCR) health risks were estimated following USEPA guidelines. Results revealed that heat pump drying significantly enhanced protein and phenolic retention while reducing residual moisture compared to sun drying. DPPH assays confirmed superior antioxidant activity (up to 88% scavenging at 200 µg/mL) in heat pump dried samples. Heavy metal concentrations in all samples were below permissible limits, with HQ, HI, and ILCR values indicating negligible non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risks. Heat pump drying demonstrated enhanced preservation efficiency of nutritional and bioactive components while minimizing contamination risks. These findings provide strong scientific evidence supporting the adoption of controlled heat pump drying for safer, higher-quality, and more efficacious herbal product development in Bangladesh and beyond.

Comparative phytochemical profiling and bioactivity of ginger (Zingiber officinale) rhizomes from Jaba and Kachia, Southern Kaduna

The growing incidences of antibacterial chemotherapeutic resistance and oxidative stress-associated diseases has intensified the search for plant-based bioactive compounds. This study evaluated the antibacterial, antioxidant, toxicological, and phytochemical properties of Z. officinale rhizomes sourced from Jaba and Kachia in Southern Kaduna, Nigeria. Extracts were prepared using n-hexane, ethyl acetate, and methanol, and antibacterial activity was assessed against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Enterococcus faecalis using the agar well diffusion method. Antioxidant activity was determined using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging assay, while total phenolic and flavonoid contents were quantified spectrophotometrically. Acute toxicity was evaluated in Wistar rats, and phytochemical profiling was conducted using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS). The methanol extract exhibited the highest antibacterial activity, with inhibition zones up to 21.67 mm and a minimum inhibitory concentration of 12.5 mg/mL against S. aureus. It also showed the strongest antioxidant activity, with 92.56% radical scavenging and the lowest half-maximum inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀) value (19.4 mg/mL), correlating with its high phenolic content (2226.33 mg GAE/100 g). Ethyl acetate extracts showed moderate activity, while n-hexane extracts were largely inactive. No mortality or toxicity was observed at doses up to 5000 mg/kg. GC-MS analysis identified major bioactive compounds including [6]-gingerol, guaiacol, capsaicin, and [6]-shogaol. These findings indicate that Z. officinale, particularly methanol extracts, is a potent and safe source of bioactive compounds with promising antimicrobial and antioxidant applications.

Phytochemical Profiling and Preliminary Hepatoprotective Screening of Different Solvent Fractions of Elaeagnus parvifolia Fruit Extract Against Carbon Tetrachloride (CCl₄)–Induced Liver Injury in Mice