In vitro Therapeutic Profiling of Leaf Extracts of Calycopteris floribunda Lam.

Abstract

Aim: This study aimed to perform a comparative in vitro evaluation of the phytochemical composition and therapeutic activities of leaves of C. floribunda using five solvents: petroleum ether, chloroform, acetone, ethanol and water (aqueous extract). Place and Duration of Study: Calycopteris floribunda Lam., a member of the Combretaceae family, is valued in ethnomedicine for treating ailments such as diarrhoea, jaundice, wounds, and infections. Samples were collected during the month of June from the campus of Karnatak University, Dharwad, Karnataka, India. Methodology: This study aimed to perform a comparative in vitro evaluation of the phytochemical composition and therapeutic activities of leaves of C. floribunda using five solvents: petroleum ether, chloroform, acetone, ethanol and water (aqueous extract). All extracts underwent comprehensive qualitative and quantitative phytochemical screening, FTIR spectroscopy, and GC-MS profiling. Additionally, they were evaluated for antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, hypoglycemic, antimicrobial, and anticancer potential using standardised in vitro assays. Results: Phytochemical analysis revealed common bioactive constituents such as carbohydrates, glycosides, proteins, alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, steroids, saponins, mucilage, and organic acids. Quantitative data confirmed variable but notable concentrations of glycosides, flavonoids, phenols, tannins, saponins, and alkaloids across all extracts, including the aqueous one. FTIR spectroscopy identified consistent functional groups—hydroxyl (–OH), carboxyl (–COOH), carbon–carbon (C–C, C=C), and aldehyde (–CHO) suggestive of pharmacologically relevant moieties. GC-MS profiling across all extracts identified a collective array of over 90 chromatographic compound entries, with prominent constituents such as lupeol, oleic acid, neophytadiene, n-hexadecanoic acid, epilupeol, squalene, and styrene, varying by solvent polarity. The aqueous extract, though less chemically diverse than organic solvents, still exhibited significant antioxidant and antimicrobial activity. Conclusion: All extracts demonstrated measurable in vitro bioactivities at the concentrations examined, highlighting the solvent-dependent selectivity in phytochemical recovery and corresponding efficacy. This comprehensive profiling supports further investigation of C. floribunda and supports its continued exploration as a source of multifunctional phytomedicines.