A new insight into the phytochemistry, radical scavenging, and antimicrobial activity of Hyptis suaveolens (L.) Poit grown in different localities

Abstract

Diverse edaphoclimatic conditions remarkably influence the pharmacological potential by affecting the synthetic ability of bioactive secondary metabolites in plants. Present research delves into exploring how the locality specific factors influence the phytochemical profile, antioxidative and antimicrobial activities of the untamed invasive weed, Hyptis suaveolens (L.) Poit. Advanced techniques like FTIR and GC-MS have been employed in order to identify the bioactive compounds present in the methanolic leaf extract of these plants. The therapeutic potential of the methanolic leaf extract was evaluated and compared for radical scavenging activity using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl assay and antimicrobial effectiveness employing the disc diffusion method, respectively. The IC₅₀ for radical scavenging and MIC (minimum inhibitory concentration) for antimicrobial activities were determined using standard methods. Our results revealed that the methanolic leaf extracts of Hyptis suaveolens from localities Prayagraj (L1) and Shankargarh (L2), showed significant in-vitro antioxidant and antimicrobial activities due to the presence of an array of diverse bioactive secondary metabolites, including unique terpenes and fatty acids such as methyl 11,12-octadieodecanate, 8,9-octadecadienoate, cis-5,8,11,14,17-eicosapentaenoic acid, squalene, beta-caryophyllene and n-hexadecanoic acid synthesized in glandular and non-glandular trichomes of the leaves. These compounds are lipophilic and contain carbonyl and hydroxyl groups, effectively contributing towards these pharmacological effects. The enhanced pharmacological effect observed in L1 plants can be attributed to the presence of additional active compounds like squalene (triterpene) and n-hexadecanoic acid (fatty acid), which were absent in L2 plants. This study underscores the influence of locality specific factors in shaping the pharmacological potential of Hyptis suaveolens, providing valuable insights for effective use in medicine.