Phytochemical Characterization and Chromatographic Elucidation of Bioactive Compounds in Sphaeranthus indicus Linn.

Abstract

Sphaeranthus indicus Linn. (Asteraceae), also known as East Indian Globe Thistle or Mudathekku, is of paramount importance in Ayurvedic and Siddha traditional medicine in the management of ailments like fever, jaundice, inflammation, and skin disease. The present study phytochemical investigation of S. indicus whole plant extracts, a complete profile of its secondary metabolites by both traditional qualitative screening as well as state-of-the-art chromatographic methods, i.e., High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) and Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS). Solvent fractionation in increasing order of polarity (hexane, ethyl acetate, methanol, water) sequentially validated the existence of major phytocompound classes, viz., alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, saponins, and terpenoids. GC-MS analysis of the ethyl acetate extract identified several bioactive molecules, including betaSitosterol, several fatty acid derivatives (Palmitic acid, for instance), and sesquiterpenoids, which match anti-inflammatory and antiseptic activities. In addition, HPLC analysis furnished quantitative information for major phenolic markers (e.g., quercetin and kaempferol derivatives), which confirms the antioxidant potency of the plant. Such extensive profiling supports the ethnomedicinal utilization of S. indicus and offers a vital chemical reference point required in the standardization of phytopharmaceuticals from this species.