Phytochemical analysis and therapeutic applications of some wild edible fruits growing in Uttarakhand Himalayas

Abstract

The purpose of the investigation was to evaluate the phytochemical composition and biological properties of indigenous wild edible fruits that grow in the Uttarakhand Himalayas in India. Plant extracts were prepared employing the cold percolation method in both nonpolar and polar solvents, i.e., hexane and methanol. Subsequent GC-MS analysis of the hexane extracts, namely Pyracantha crenulata hexane extract 01 (PCHE01), Berberis asiatica hexane extract 02 (BAHE02), Rubus ellipticus hexane extract 03 (REHE03), Ficus palmata Forssk hexane extract 04 (FPHE04), and Myrica esculenta hexane extract 05 (MEHE05), revealed the identification of more than 32, 40, 44, 53, and 48 constituents, which accounted for 74.4, 83.4, 78.9, 70.0, and 73.2% of the overall composition, respectively. The nutritional elements of Pyracantha crenulata (PC), Rubus ellipticus (RE), Myrica esculenta (ME), Ficus palmata Forsk (FP) and Berberis asiatica (BA) were also studied. The results indicated that the boron content was highest in all samples. Hexane and methanol fruit extracts were studied for their total phenolic and flavonoid content, which revealed variations. Both extracts were examined for different biological activities. The antioxidant activity was evaluated using three different methods. In vitro evaluation of anti-inflammatory activity was performed by measuring the denaturation of egg albumin protein. In the methanolic extract, the lowest IC50 value was recorded for REME3 at 7.50±0.03 µg/mL. Likewise, in the hexane extract, BAHE02 exhibited a minimum IC50 value of 4.47±0.87 µg/mL. The evaluation of antidiabetic activity of hexane and methanol extracts was carried out through an α-amylase inhibition assay. The comprehensive biological activity assays and elemental analyzes underscored the significant nutraceutical value of these plants. It was evident that these plants have the potential to serve as effective nutrient supplements and could be of considerable industrial importance in the field of the nutraceutical sector. This research is important not only from an academic perspective, but also for establishing a valuable database that can guide the sustainable use of wild edible plants.