Phytochemical Profiling and Biological Evaluation of Parrotia persica

Abstract

Parrotia persica (Persian ironwood) is an underexplored medicinal plant with significant potential as a source of bioactive compounds. The present study aimed to evaluate its phytochemical composition and biological activities using various in vitro assays. Plant materials (leaves and bark) were extracted using solvents of different polarities, including n-hexane, ethyl acetate, methanol, and water. Qualitative phytochemical screening revealed the presence of flavonoids, phenols, tannins, saponins, and terpenoids, with methanolic and aqueous extracts showing a richer profile. Quantitative analysis demonstrated that the methanolic extract possessed the highest total phenolic content (85.2 mg GAE/g) and total flavonoid content (72.8 mg QE/g). The antioxidant activity assessed through the DPPH assay indicated that the methanolic extract exhibited the strongest radical scavenging activity with the lowest IC₅₀ value (42.7 µg/mL), comparable to the standard ascorbic acid. Enzyme inhibitory studies showed significant prolyl endopeptidase (PEP) inhibition, suggesting potential neuroprotective applications. Additionally, antimicrobial activity evaluated using the agar well diffusion method revealed that methanolic extract produced the highest zones of inhibition against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial strains. Overall, the findings demonstrate a strong correlation between phytochemical content and biological activity, with polar extracts exhibiting superior efficacy. This study highlights Parrotia persica as a promising natural source of antioxidant, antimicrobial, and enzyme inhibitory agents, supporting its potential use in pharmaceutical and therapeutic applications. Further in vivo and clinical studies are recommended to confirm its safety and efficacy