Phytochemical profile, nutritional composition, and antioxidant activities of Exallage auricularia and Trichosanthes costata: A comparative study

Ethno-pharmacology combines traditional medicinal knowledge with modern scientific methods to uncover therapeutic properties of plants potentially leading to new drug discoveries. The study explores evaluation of phytochemicals, nutrients, and antioxidant activities of Exallage auricularia leaves (EAL) and stems (EAS), as well as Trichosanthes costata leaves (TCL), and stems (TCS). The results showed that TCL exhibited higher protein (14.41 g/100 g) content, whereas EAL had higher crude fat (10.36 g/100 g) and carbohydrate (48.48 %) levels. Mineral analysis showed significant variability, with TCS having the highest calcium (336.5 µg/100 g), while EAL having the highest aluminum (505.3 µg/100 g) and manganese (535.1 µg/100 g). GC-MS profiling identified various bioactive constituents, including neophytadiene, and cis, cis-6,28-heptatriactontadien-2-one, which is used for the treatment of skin diseases, rheumatism, headaches, systemic hypertension, as well as 3-methyl-2-(2-oxopropyl)furan, heptacosanoic acid, and 2-methoxy-4-vinylphenol, known for their anti-inflammatory, anticancer and antimicrobial properties. A comparison of the total phenolic content (TPC) and total flavonoid content (TFC) of four different samples revealed significant differences as EAL showed highest TPC of 79.85 ± 1.68 mg GAE/100 g, however TCS had lowest TPC of 28.72 ± 0.85 mg GAE/100 g. The results emphasize the diverse pharmacological potentials of EA and TC plants, reflecting their potential use in traditional medicine, as well as in modern medical treatments.