Health Beneficial Chemo Diversity and Antioxidant Potential of Philonotis revoluta Bosch & Sande Lac (A-Moss).

Abstract

The current study evaluated the phytochemical composition and antioxidant potential of Philonotis revoluta using methanolic, ethyl acetate, and n-hexane extracts through analytical techniques. Preliminary qualitative analysis revealed secondary metabolites such as flavonoids, phenols, terpenoids, glycosides, alkaloids, and saponins. UV-visible analysis supported the occurrence of compounds, and FTIR analysis confirmed the presence of diverse functional groups. GC-MS identified various bioactive compounds, including ergost-5-en-3-ol, stigmasta-5,22-dien-3-ol, and other secondary metabolites. Quantitative analysis showed that the methanol extract had the highest total phenolic (21.97 ± 0.06 mg GAE/g) and total flavonoid content (38.97 ± 0.04 mg QE/g) compared to the ethyl acetate and n-hexane extracts. Antioxidant assays (DPPH, ABTS, and FRAP) showed a solvent polarity-dependent effect, with methanol showing stronger scavenging activity (IC₅₀ 229 ± 1.036 µg/mL ABTS; 568 ± 3.963 µg/mL DPPH), followed by the ethyl acetate and hexane extracts, while ethyl acetate (41.42 ± 0.000 µg FeSO₄ eq/mL) showed comparatively higher ferric-reducing power than methanol and hexane extracts. All extracts showed significant antioxidant activity (p < 0.05). The study suggested P. revoluta contains numerous biologically active phytochemicals with promising antioxidant activity; therefore, there remains scope for this study to explore the therapeutic potential for the development of new drugs.