Sciences of Phytochemistry
Volume 5 Issue 1

Comprehensive phytochemical profiling and in-silico evaluation of endemic medicinal plant Symplocos obtusa

Malavika, J. (Unknown)
Thenmozhi, K. (Unknown)



Article Info

Publish Date
20 May 2026

Abstract

Plants rich in phytochemical compounds are a vital reservoir with great medicinal potential. Among them, Symplocos obtusa Wall. Ex G. Don., commonly known as 'blunt-leaved Symplocos', is an unexplored endemic medicinal plant species belonging to the distinguished plant family Symplocaceae. The present study undertakes a comprehensive phytochemical profiling of S. obtusa, coupled with in vitro and in-silico approaches. Screening of the ethanolic leaf extract of S. obtusa revealed several phytochemical constituents, with highest extractive yield (6.0%) and higher total phenolic (4.30±0.02mg GAE/g), tannin (2.91±0.02mg GAE/g), and flavonoid content (71.15±0.86mg RE/g). Furthermore, a thorough analysis of the phytocompounds and their therapeutic efficacy was conducted using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS), and other major in-silico approaches, such as toxicity prediction. Moreover, in vitro antioxidant studies were conducted to evaluate the therapeutic potential of S. obtusa. FTIR confirmed the presence of different functional groups, and GC-MS analysis identified 19 key phytochemical compounds with pharmacologically significant functions. In vitro antioxidant assays confirmed potential antioxidant activities of the plant species with an IC50 of (26.55±0.61µg/mL) in DPPH, 27.09±0.11 µmol/g (ABTS•+@), 51.38±0.08 mg/g in phosphomoleybdenum assay, and suggest its therapeutic relevance. In-silico evaluations further supported the pharmacological relevance and safety of the identified compounds. Integrative in vitro and in-silico evaluation indicated favourable drug likeness and low predicted toxicity, with most compounds belonging to toxicity classes IV-VI. These findings establish S. obtusa may serve as a promising candidate for pharmacological exploration and drug discovery, particularly in the development of plant-derived therapeutic agents.

Copyrights © 2026






Journal Info

Abbrev

sciphy

Publisher

Subject

Chemical Engineering, Chemistry & Bioengineering Chemistry Medicine & Pharmacology

Description

Sciences of Phytochemistry (SciPhy or Sci Phytochem) is an international, peer-reviewed, open access journal published by ETFLIN. SciPhy aims to offer a widely visible and highly indexed platform for scholars and intellectuals to share their insights and works. From July 2023 onwards, SciPhy will ...