Antioxidant Potential of Heteropneustes fossilis: Ethno-medicinal Perspectives from Manipur, India

Heteropneustes fossilis, commonly known as stinging catfish is a freshwater fish of high nutritional and ethno-medicinal value, traditionally consumed in Manipur and across Northeast India for its health-promoting properties. Despite its importance, little is known about the antioxidant potential of H. fossilis. The present study, conducted in September 2024, aimed to evaluate the antioxidant activity of H. fossilis collected from four locations in Manipur, India. Antioxidant activity was assessed using the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging assay, with ascorbic acid as the standard. This study showed a concentration-dependent scavenging activity, with ascorbic acid achieving 66.73% inhibition and an IC50 of 0.70 mg/mL. The radical scavenging activity of H. fossilis increased with concentration similarly to the ascorbic acid ranging from 22.50% at 400 µg/mL to a maximum of 35.40% at 2000 µg/mL. The IC50 value of the ethanolic extract was 1.90 mg/mL, which, although higher than that of ascorbic acid, indicates moderate antioxidant activity. H. fossilis samples showed moderate antioxidant activity, 35.40% inhibition at 2000 µg/mL with an IC50 of 1.90 mg/mL. This study provide preliminary evidence that H. fossilis contains bioactive compounds with antioxidant potential, supporting its traditional ethno-medicinal applications and highlighting its promise as a source of functional ingredients for nutraceutical and medicinal development.