Toxicological profile and therapeutic potentials of Impatiens chinensis leaf extract: Exploring antibacterial, antioxidant, antidiabetic and insecticidal properties

Impatiens chinensis, a plant known for its traditional medicinal applications, has not been thoroughly investigated for its biological activities. This research delves into the chemical composition and biological effects of its methanolic leaf extract, focusing on its antibacterial, antioxidant, antidiabetic, molecular docking, larvicidal and insecticidal properties. The extract is rich in phenols and flavonoids, containing 20 compounds identified through GC-MS analysis. The primary components include Hexadecanoic acid (29.31 %). FTIR analysis revealed the presence of functional groups such as alcohols, alkenes and amides. The extract demonstrated strong antibacterial activity, especially against Staphylococcus aureus and exhibited significant Antioxidant effects, achieving 60.27 % inhibition in the DPPH assay and 65.20 % inhibition in the ABTS assay. It also showed considerable Antidiabetic potential, inhibiting α-amylase (66.50 %) and α-glucosidase (61.12 %). Molecular docking studies with antidiabetic proteins (5NN8, 3W37) indicated promising interactions, suggesting potential therapeutic applications for diabetes. Additionally, the extract exhibited potent larvicidal and insecticidal properties. Overall, the leaf extract of I. chinensis showcases diverse biological activities, highlighting its potential as a valuable resource in medicinal research.