Exploring the Phytochemical Properties and Therapeutic Potential of Cheilanthes swartzii: A Novel Fern from the Western Ghats

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

Department of Botany, PSG College of Arts & Science, Coimbatore, India

Abstract

The pharmaceutical industry has laid major emphasis on finding novel sources of compounds with therapeutic and commercial value, and plant phytochemical screening has made significant strides in this quest. Identification of phytochemicals in medicinal plants is one of the initial steps in the process of developing new plant-based drugs. Plant phytochemicals offer quite a number of advantages, from wound healing to antiviral properties. Phytochemical studies have shown that ferns contain a wide variety of useful compounds. However, compared to angiosperms, ferns are still relatively unknown. The present study reports the phytochemical analysis and anti-diabetic and anti-oxidant properties ofan under-explored fern, Cheilanthes swartzii Webb & Berthel., obtained from the Western Ghats region of Southern India. The presence of different phytochemicals in the plant's methanol and petroleum extract was tested using standard protocols. Phytochemicals including alkaloids, tannins, phenol, flavonoids, steroids, terpenoids, and cardio glycosides have been identified, according to the qualitative assessment. DPPH and ABTS+ radical scavenging methods determined antioxidant activity. The results obtained in DPPH radical scavenging activity showed higher levels in methanolic extract and least in petroleum ether extract. The ABTS+ radical scavenging rate was found highest in methanol extracts andthe lowest potential in petroleum ether extracts. The in vitro antidiabetic activity of α-amylase and β-glucosidase enzymes activity revealed that the methanolic extract of the plant moderately inhibited α-amylase enzymes, while significantly inhibited β-glucosidase enzymes activity exhibiting a low IC50value (54.35 µg/ml). The presence of beneficial phytochemicals, along with antioxidant and anti-diabetic properties, suggests that this plant could be further utilized based on the obtained results.

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References

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Journal of Medicinal plants and By-Products
Volume 13, Issue 4
December 2024
Pages 1103-1110

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