Abstract :

The plants have been known to synthesize bioactive compounds that can be used to treat diseases. Phytochemicals in seeds, including alkaloids, flavonoids, and polyphenols, possess anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antidiabetic activity. The clearing-nut tree (Strychnos potatorum Linn.) has been traditionally used in Ayurveda and traditional medicine to treat diseases of the eye, liver and kidney, diabetes, and gastrointestinal disorders. It is famous for its water purification capability. Pharmacological investigations of its bioactive compounds are limited, though these are in extensive use. In this research, we employed Soxhlet extraction to obtain an ethanolic seed extract from S. potatorum, which we then analyzed using FTIR, GC-MS, and phytochemical screening. The screening results indicated the occurrence of carbohydrates, alkaloids, flavonoids, and saponins. FTIR showed the existence of aliphatic C–H, carbonyl, and hydroxyl functional groups. Significant compounds identified by GC-MS are stearic, linoleic, and palmitic acid esters. Antioxidant tests (DPPH, ABTS, and hydroxyl radical scavenging) identified that the radicals were suppressed concentration-dependently, with the highest concentration used being the most effective. Its capacity to suppress α-amylase activity and protein denaturation implies that the extract has potential anti-inflammatory and antidiabetic activity as well. Molecular docking indicated that oleic acid, methyl linoleate, and palmitic acid all interact well with α-amylase, which could assist further in diabetes. These findings agree with the premise that S. potatorum seeds are medicinal and call for further dose-response and in vivo studies to confirm their uses.