Exploring the phytochemical composition, nutritional profile, and functional properties of different parts of Aristolochia indica and Clerodendrum chinense

Abstract

Aristolochia indica L. and Clerodendrum chinense (Osbeck) Mabb. are among the most important medicinal plants in traditional medicine due to their great therapeutic effects, however, their scientific validation is inadequate. Thus, the research work aimed to compare the nutritional, phytochemical and antioxidant characteristics of leaves and stems of these plants. Nutritional profiling revealed moisture contents ranging from 3.2391 to 9.6391 g/100 g, crude fat levels between 1.00 and 10.365 g/100 g, and crude fiber from 18.48 to 48.52 g/100 g across different plant parts. Mineral analysis confirmed notable accumulations, with calcium reaching 5142.57 µg/kg and sodium peaking at 180.12 µg/kg. Phytochemical screening and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry profiling identified a diverse array of bioactive compounds, including L-(+)-ascorbic acid 2,6-dihexadecanoate (peak area 1.62 %), phytol (1.012 %), and myo-inositol, 4-c-methyl- (peak area 60.060 %), which are linked to antioxidant, anticancer, and antidiabetic properties. Antioxidant assays further supported these findings, with total phenolic content ranging from 33.50 ± 0.7–75.63 ± 0.8 mg/GAE/g of dry sample and total flavonoid content between 14.93 ± 2.2 and 38.375 ± 1.3 mg/QE/g of dry sample. Notably, the antioxidant activity recorded maximum activities of 268.06 ± 1.9 µg AAE/g, 344.84 ± 2.7 µg AAE/g, and 176.06 ± 0.08 mM Fe(II)/mg, respectively. These quantitative results underscore the potential of A. indica and C. chinense as valuable sources of natural nutraceuticals and pharmaceuticals, bridging traditional medicinal knowledge with modern scientific validation.