Comparative Evaluation of Phytochemical Composition, Antioxidant, Antimicrobial and Mineral Profiles of Scutellaria discolor and Potentilla reptans

Abstract

The present study aimed to evaluate the phytochemical composition, antioxidant activity, mineral profile, and antimicrobial activity of two ethnomedicinal herbs, Scutellaria discolor and Potentilla reptans, traditionally used in Manipur. Scutellaria discolor is prescribed for nerve weakness, epilepsy, insomnia, anxiety, muscular cramps, sprains, and cough-related ailments, whereas Potentilla reptans is used as an anticoagulant, antiseptic, depurative, and febrifuge and to treat skin diseases, abscesses, ringworm, mouth infections, tonsillitis, snake and insect bites, and traumatic swellings. The study employed a natural-products chemistry approach. Quantitative phytochemical analysis showed that S. discolor exhibited stronger antioxidant activity, with an IC₅₀ value of 15.5 μg/mL, and contained 34.72 mg/g flavonoids, 43.15 mg/g total phenolics, 50 mg/g saponins, 30 mg/g alkaloids, and 14.31 mg/g tannins. In comparison, P. reptans showed moderate antioxidant activity, with an IC₅₀ value of 33.4 μg/mL, and contained 10.39 mg/g flavonoids, 4.33 mg/g phenolics, 30 mg/g saponins, 30 mg/g alkaloids, and 30.74 mg/g tannins. Elemental analysis using atomic absorption spectroscopy and UV-visible spectrophotometry identified potassium, magnesium, calcium, phosphorus, sulphur, manganese, zinc, and copper. Antibacterial assessment revealed species-dependent activity: S. discolor exhibited inhibitory activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Escherichia coli, whereas P. reptans showed comparatively moderate activity, primarily against S. aureus and Pseudomonas putida. Antifungal activity was variable, with the strongest inhibition observed against Microsporum gypseum, particularly for the chloroform extract of S. discolor. The higher phenolic and flavonoid contents of S. discolor may contribute to its greater antioxidant and antibacterial activities. Overall, the findings support the ethnomedicinal relevance of both species and their potential as sources of bioactive natural products.