Validation of Fimbristylis ovata for pharmaceutical Applications

Abstract

Fimbristylis ovata is a medicinal plant traditionally used in various Ayurvedic and Unani systems for its therapeutic properties. Biometabolites are responsible for medicinal properties of a plant. In the present study, F. ovata underwent comprehensive phytochemical screening, qualitative estimation of secondary metabolites, assessment of antioxidant activity using the DPPH method, GC-MS analysis, and ICP-OES analyses. The results revealed the presence of various secondary metabolites, including phenols, flavonoids, tannins, and saponins. The antioxidant activity demonstrated a significant ability to scavenge free radicals. GC-MS analysis identified six compounds, including 1,2-Propanediamine and Cyclotrisiloxane-hexamethyl, which have notable medicinal and industrial applications. Furthermore, ICP-OES results showed the presence of essential elements such as calcium, zinc, and iron, all of which contribute to the plant's high antioxidant activity.These findings support the traditional use of F. ovata and provide a scientific basis for its potential applications in the pharmaceutical and nutraceutical industries

Keywords

Introduction

S.no	Retention time	Name of the Compound	Molecular Formula	Mol.wt.	Structure of the compound	Peak Area (%)	Uses
1.	1.039	1,2- Propanediamine	C3H10N2	74		1.62	Used as intermediate in crop protection agents like Basfungin, Raw material for production of polyurethane resins.
2.	1.088	Ethanol 1- ethoxy-2,2,2- trifluoro	C4H7F3O2	144		34.62	Oxidize sulfur compounds, Co-solvent in Super critical fluid chromatography to purify chiral and achiral boronate, used to study protein folding.
3.	1.136	Ethanol	C2H6O	46		62.77	Possess Anti-microbial activity, used in cancer therapy. Also, in manufacture of perfumes, preservatives, polishes and rubber
4.	1.640	2-Butanone,3-methyl-	C5H10O	86		0.33	Used in production of dyes, pesticides, textiles.
5.	2.992	Cyclotrisiloxane, hexamethyl-	C6H18O3Si3	222		0.33	Used as fragrance carrier material in air freshener, cleaning electronic components, synthesis of silicone oil and Silicone rubber.
6.	5.534	Cyclotetrasiloxane, octamethyl-	C8H24O4Si4	296		0.33	Sued in skin care, hair care, antiperspirants and deodorants, Lubricant and paper coating.

Micronutrients are essential for maintaining plant metabolism, promoting tolerance, growth, production, stress resilience, and disease resistance. (15). Micronutrients like Copper, Manganese, Iron and Zinc are essential for plants at an optimal concentration. However, they are toxic at supra optimal levels (16).  Iron serves as an essential cofactor for various enzymes involved in the synthesis of plant hormones, such as ethylene, as well as for enzymes like lipoxygenase and 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic oxidase (17). Fe is also involved in chlorophyll biosynthesis and stabilization. It is an integral component of the respiratory and photosynthetic electron transport systems and acts as a cofactor in the electron transport chain carriers (18). Manganese is an essential component of manganese superoxide dismutase (Mn-SOD), a key antioxidant enzyme. It also plays a role in the biosynthesis of carbohydrates and lipids. Additionally, manganese acts as a cofactor for various enzymes, including manganese catalase, manganese peroxidase, TCA cycle decarboxylases, RNA polymerases, and numerous glycosyl transferases (19). Copper is involved in synthesis of Molybdenum cofactor thereby linking Cu metabolism with nitrogen assimilation and phytochrome biosynthesis (20). Plastocyanin is the most abundant copper protein involved in electron transport between cytochrome b6f complex of photosystem I (PSI) in the thylakoid lumen of chloroplasts (21). Cu plays an essential role in many processes such as pollen formation, pollen viability, pollination, and lipid desaturation. The biosynthesis of lignin, quinones, and carotenoids is also influenced by Cu status. (22,23).

Antioxidant activity of F.ovata:

Oxidative stress is an important risk factor in the development of various chronic diseases. Free radicals and other reactive oxygen species are known to play a role in the progression of conditions such as asthma, inflammatory arthropathies, diabetes, Parkinson’s disease, and Alzheimer's disease (24). Members of the Cyperaceae family are well-known for their antioxidant potential. The major genera with antioxidant activity include Cyperus, Reimera, Rhynchospora, and Scleria. Cyperus rotundus has been identified as a natural antioxidant and a free radical terminator (25). Hot water extracts from Cyperus esculentus have antioxidant properties (26). Cyperus compressus is a great source of antioxidant-rich phytonutrients, which supports its traditional use (27). The extracts from Fimbristylis ovata demonstrated significant antioxidant effects by reducing the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and inhibiting oxidative stress induced by advanced glycation end-products (AGEs). The presence of iron and zinc notably enhances the antioxidant activity of Fimbristylis ovata. These essential trace elements play a crucial role in reducing ROS and improving the overall antioxidant capacity of the plant extracts. The combined effect of iron and zinc with F. ovata extracts leads to a more potent inhibition of oxidative stress, making this plant a promising candidate for further research into combating conditions related to oxidative stress.

CONCLUSION

The phytochemical screening of Fimbristylis ovata has revealed that the presence of various bioactive compounds, including flavonoids, phenols, and tannins, which contribute to its strong antioxidant activity. ICP-OES analysis confirmed the presence of essential trace elements such as iron and zinc, which enhance the antioxidative capacity of F. ovata. Additionally, GC-MS analysis identified several active phytochemical compounds that play a crucial role in inhibiting oxidative stress and inflammatory pathways. These findings underscore the potential of F. ovata as a natural source of antioxidants with significant biomedical applications.

Funding:

No funds, grants or other support was received.

Competing interests:

The authors have no financial or proprietary interests in any material discussed in their article.

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