2025, Vol. 7, Issue 8, Part A

Author(s): Tej Pratap Gond, Shilpi Mishra and Ashish Mishra

Abstract: The current study focuses on the complete phytochemical analysis and pharmacological assessment of Capsicum frutescens, a plant of high medical and nutritional significance commonly employed in traditional medicine. The research involved the isolation, identification, and assessment of the bioactive constituents responsible for the therapeutic properties of the plant. Soxhlet apparatus-based methanolic extraction provided 3.18% w/w extractive value, representing a reasonable amount of bioactive content for scrutiny. Initial phytochemical screening confirmed the presence of a wide range of secondary metabolites such as alkaloids, flavonoids, glycosides, saponins, tannins, terpenoids, sterols, phenolics, carbohydrates, and proteins. These compounds are well-established for their pharmacological properties, specifically antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial activities. Pharmacognostical analysis confirmed the identity and purity of the crude drug, with total ash at 8.67% and loss on drying at 16.13%, demonstrating acceptable levels of moisture and inorganic residues. Quantitative phytochemical analysis determined the total phenolic content of the methanolic extract to be 20 ± 0.06 µg/mL, indicating strong evidence of antioxidant polyphenols. Fluorescence analysis under UV and in various reagents further confirmed the chemical richness and authenticity of the plant. Sophisticated analytical methods were used to establish the phytoconstituent composition. High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) and Mass Spectrometry (MS) in combination characterized several prominent and minor constituents, including capsaicin, dihydrocapsaicin, nordihydrocapsaicin, caffeoylquinic acid derivatives, quercetin glycosides, acylated flavonoids, carotenoid esters (like capsanthin), and high molecular weight glycosylated lipids. The presence of these constituents emphasizes the plant's promise in oxidative stress-associated and metabolic disorders. The methanolic extract was tested for its pharmacological potential by evaluating antioxidant activity. In DPPH free radical scavenging activity, the extract showed 88.4% inhibition at 1000 µg/mL with an IC₅₀ of 204.8 µg/mL, comparable to standard antioxidants like ascorbic acid and BHT. Hydrogen peroxide scavenging and reducing power assays further validated the marked antioxidant activity of the extract. Furthermore, the lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) enzyme assay showed potential cellular protection or metabolic stimulation, suggesting cytoprotective benefits. In brief, this research supports the traditional uses of Capsicum frutescens as an affluent source of therapeutically important phytochemicals with potent antioxidant activity. The synergistic combination of phytochemical diversity and pharmacological potency positions this plant at the center of future drug development and natural product-based therapeutic interventions. Isolation of individual compounds, their in vivo efficacy, and development of standardized preparations are recommended for further clinical application.

DOI: 10.22271/multi.2025.v7.i8a.747

Pages: 17-21 | Views: 170 | Downloads: 31

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