Comprehensive Phytochemical Characterization and Bioactivity of Eriocaulon Odoratum for Drug Discovery Applications

Abstract

Medicinal plants continue to serve as an invaluable source of novel bioactive compounds for modern drug discovery. Eriocaulon odoratum, traditionally used in folk medicine, remains underexplored. Existing studies are fragmented, with limited phytochemical characterization and little systematic evaluation of its biological activities. To address this gap, we conducted a comprehensive phytochemical and bioactivity assessment of E. odoratum extracts. Preliminary qualitative analysis verified that the extract comprises major phytochemical groups, including alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, steroids, and saponins. Total phenolic and flavonoid contents were quantified spectrophotometrically, while high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) revealed distinct phenolic constituents. he antioxidant capacity was quantified using the DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) radical scavenging assay.yielded an IC₅₀ of 74 µg/mL, indicating moderate free-radical quenching potential compared to ascorbic acid (IC₅₀ = 9 µg/mL). Antimicrobial screening demonstrated significant inhibition zones against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli, with minimum inhibitory concentrations as low as 125 µg/mL. Cytotoxicity assays (MTT) revealed selective activity against colon carcinoma (HT-29) and lung carcinoma (H460) cell lines, with IC₅₀ values below the NCI threshold for crude extracts (≤20 µg/mL), while sparing normal fibroblasts (3T3). These findings establish E. odoratum as a promising candidate for natural product–based drug discovery, offering antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anticancer potential. The integration of phytochemical profiling with biological assays provides a robust foundation for future isolation and characterization of lead compounds for therapeutic development.