Investigation of nutritional and phytochemical properties of wild medicinal plant species

Abstract

Medicinal plants play a crucial role in traditional healthcare systems, particularly for rural communities that rely on them for therapeutic and nutritional purposes. The present study aims to investigate the ethnomedicinal applications, elemental composition, and nutritional content of the different plant parts of ten wild medicinal plant species-Achyranthes aspera L., Aegle marmelos (L.) Correa, Azadirachta indica A. Juss., Berberis lycium Royle, Cassia fistula L., Senegalia catechu (L.f.) P.J.H. Hurter & Mabb., Senna tora (L.) Roxb., Syzygium cumini (L.) Skeels, Tinospora cordifolia (Willd.) Hook.f. & Thomson, and Vitex negundo L.-collected from the Renukaji Wildlife Sanctuary located in the Sirmaur district of Himachal Pradesh. The nutritional properties of the selected plant species were assessed using the muffle furnace and micro-Kjeldahl methods, while their mineral compositions were determined via the diacid digestion method or atomic absorption spectrophotometric technique. The quantitative analysis of Achyranthes aspera L. leaves, Berberis lycium Royle roots, and Vitex negundo L. leaves was carried out using UPLC-PDA, which confirmed the presence of polyphenols and flavonoids in their methanolic extracts, which contribute to the medicinal properties of these herbs. This study found that younger generations are less interested in traditional knowledge of ethnomedicinal plants due to modernization. Therefore, it is important to document these plants along with their phytochemical and mineral content. Due to the heavy reliance of rural communities on these medicinal herbs, there is an urgent need to implement conservation strategies to prevent their depletion in the Renukaji Wildlife Sanctuary. These plants are rich in bioactive compounds such as saponins, alkaloids, and flavonoids, and also contain essential minerals like Na, N, K, P, Zn, Fe, Cu, Mn, Ca, Mg, and S. Therefore, they serve not only as traditional medicines but also as potential sources of nutritional supplements. Further research on their pharmacological properties and sustainable utilization is necessary to ensure long-term benefits for both community health and biodiversity preservation.

Keywords: Ethnomedicinal; Medicinal plants; Nutrients; Phytochemical; Polyphenol; UPLC-PDA.

Fig. 1

(A) Represents Renukaji Wildlife Sanctuary (_*) in District Sirmaur. (B) Represents Sampling Sites in Renukaji Wildlife Sanctuary ( ).

Fig. 2

Mineral analysis of medicinal plants (Mean ± SD).

Fig. 3

Nutrient analysis of ethnomedicinal plants (Mean ± SD).

Fig. 4

Phytochemical analysis of medicinal herbs (Mean ± SD).

Fig. 5

Chromatogram of standard mixture of polyphenol carried out using UPLC analysis. (1) Gallic acid, (2) Pro-catechuic acid, (3) Vanillic acid, (4) Syringic acid, (5) Caffeic acid, (6) EC (Epicatechin), (7) EGCG, (8) P-coumaric acid, (9) Ferulic acid, (10) Rutin, 11. Quercetin, 12. Kaempferol.

Fig. 6

Chromatogram of commonly used plants: (a) Roots of Berberis lycium Royle, (b) Leaves of Achyranthes aspera L., (c) Leaves of Vitex negundo L. analyzed using UPLC analysis collected from Renukaji Wildlife Sanctuary.