Bioactive compounds from medicinal angiosperms: taxonomic insights and pharmacological potential

Abstract

The Marathwada region of Maharashtra represents a transitional zone of rich floral diversity where traditional knowledge has long emphasized the use of medicinal angiosperms. Despite their ethnobotanical importance, many species remain insufficiently characterized for their phytochemical and pharmacological potential. This study explores five medicinally significant angiosperms from Marathwada viz. Vitex negundo, Argemone mexicana, Malvastrum coromandelianum, Sphagneticola calendulacea, and Rauvolfia tetraphylla through Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry analysis to profile their bioactive compounds and evaluate their pharmacological relevance. GC-MS screening revealed a wide spectrum of secondary metabolites including alkaloids, flavonoids, terpenoids, sterols, and fatty acid derivatives. V. negundo was characterized by flavonoids and iridoid glycosides with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant potential. A. mexicana exhibited benzophenanthridine alkaloids, well-documented for antimicrobial and analgesic effects. M. coromandelianum contained phytosterols and fatty acids supportive of wound-healing and anti-ulcer activities. S. calendulacea demonstrated sesquiterpene lactones with anticancer and hepatoprotective prospects, while R. tetraphylla yielded indole alkaloids such as reserpine, recognized for antihypertensive and sedative properties. From a taxonomic standpoint, the distinct metabolite profiles provide chemotaxonomic markers that strengthen species delimitation and support systematic classification, particularly in taxa with morphological overlap. The pharmacological insights derived from bioactive compounds reaffirm the ethnomedicinal claims of local communities and highlight their potential for novel drug discovery. This study emphasizes the significance of integrating taxonomy with phytochemical metabolomics to advance both biodiversity documentation and pharmacological research. It also reinforces the need for conservation-driven bioprospecting of medicinal angiosperms in the Marathwada region, ensuring sustainable utilization of these valuable genetic resources.