Harnessing the bioactive phytocompounds and drug discovery potential of hydrophytes: A review

Abstract

Water-based ecosystems have provided an ideal condition for unique and diverse group of aquatic plants to evolve with a wide range of adaptations known as hydrophytes. Such ecological niches have made them develop specialized root structures, water-dispelling surfaces, and aerenchyma, enabling them to exploit their natural environment effectively. Hydrophytes have evolved to co-exist with other water-based organisms, providing water purification, sediment regulation, maintaining the biological oxygen demand, and providing ideal breeding grounds and sustenance to various other aquatic organisms. Growing in such diverse environments, these hydrophytes have produced diverse phytochemical profiles of a large bio-prospecting significance. These chemicals have exhibited a wide variety of bio-activities such as antibacterial, anti-histamine, anti-ROS and anticancer, which qualify them as potential candidates for new pharmaceutical formulations, dietary supplements and biotechnological applications. This paper aims to comprehend the bioprospecting potential of hydrophytes, emphasising their elucidation and their application as phytomedicine. It covers aspects of its species diversity, ecological adaptations, its chemical constituents, and its biological activities. Hydrophytes, for their adaptation, have synthesized a variety of chemical compounds that are used in traditional and ethno-medicinal use, which is being harnessed as phytomedicine. By amalgamating the current research and focusing on key findings, this review emphasises the significance of hydrophytes and their key applications in new drug candidates, getting scientific society validation for their medicinal properties and sustainable exploitation.