Unveiling the pharmacological potential of Ophiorrhiza radicans Gardner ex Thwaites: first report on its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, and cytotoxic activities.

Ophiorrhiza species are traditionally used to treat inflammation, pain, wounds, and snake bites due to their bioactive compounds; however, Ophiorrhiza radicans Gardner ex Thwaites, from the Western Ghats, remains underexplored. This study analysed extracts of hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate, ethanol, and methanol for their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, and cytotoxic activities. The ethanol extract showed the highest saponins (0.7404 µg/mL), tannins (0.619 mg/mL), and lignin (14.13%) content, and potent antioxidant activity (ABTS IC50 = 6.962 µg/mL; FRAP value = 43.84 mg Trolox equivalents/gdw). The ethyl acetate extract was richest in terpenoids (0.512 mg/mL) and showed the strongest α-amylase (IC50 = 1.39 ± 0.021 µg/mL) and α-glucosidase (IC50 = 0.30 ± 0.028 µg/mL) inhibition. The chloroform extract, rich in quinone (0.485 µg/mL), showed significant anti-inflammatory activity (IC50 = 0.39 ± 0.012 µg/mL). The methanol extract had the highest glycoside(0.8230 µg/mL) and coumarin (0.9390 µg/mL) content and was non-toxic to HepG2 cells (IC50 of 38.91 µg/mL).