Phytochemical Investigation and Pharmacological Evaluation of Some Selected Medicinal Plants

Abstract

This study investigates the hepatoprotective potential of three aquatic plants Eichhornia crassipes (water hyacinth), Hydrilla verticillata (hydrilla), and Ipomoea aquatica (water spinach). The primary objective was to evaluate their potential in protecting the liver from oxidative stress and other forms of damage. Phytochemical screening was conducted to identify the presence of flavonoids, phenolics, and other secondary metabolites. The total phenolic content (TPC) and total flavonoid content (TFC) were quantified using standard spectrophotometric methods. Thin Layer Chromatography (TLC) and column chromatography were employed for compound isolation, and the active compounds were characterized using UV, FT-IR, NMR, and mass spectroscopy. The hepatoprotective activity of the plant extracts was evaluated in vivo using a CCl4-induced hepatotoxicity model in rats. The serum levels of liver enzymes (ALT, AST, ALP), total protein, albumin, and bilirubin were measured to assess liver function. Histopathological analysis was performed to observe structural changes in liver tissues. Additionally, molecular docking studies were carried out to predict the binding affinity of isolated compounds to potential liver-related targets. The results demonstrated significant hepatoprotective effects in rats treated with plant extracts. The ethanolic extracts of all three plants exhibited notable antioxidant activity, with Eichhornia crassipes showing the highest radical scavenging capacity in the DPPH assay. In vivo, the plants significantly reduced the elevated levels of liver enzymes and improved histopathological conditions, suggesting effective protection against hepatotoxicity. Molecular docking results further supported the potential of these bioactive compounds in targeting liver-specific pathways. In conclusion, Eichhornia crassipes, Hydrilla verticillata, and Ipomoea aquatica display considerable hepatoprotective properties, and their bioactive compounds could offer a promising, cost-effective alternative for liver disease