Comprehensive Phytochemical and Antioxidant Profiling of

Several medicinal plants have multiple bioactive compounds that offer potential therapeutic applications for various respiratory-associated pathologies. Picrorhiza kurroa is one of those important traditional medicinal herbs and is known for its potent bioactive phytoconstituents against respiratory and other inflammatory disorders. Current study was aimed to perform phytochemical profiling and antioxidant potential of various organic and aqueous extracts of P. kurroa roots. Qualitative studies confirmed the presence of various phytochemical groups: triterpenoids, alkaloids, flavonoids, phenols, and carbohydrates. Quantitative evaluation showed that the ethanolic and methanolic extracts exhibited higher phytochemical content in comparison to aqueous extracts. Chromatographic profiling using TLC identified that ethanolic extract contained apocynin while it was absent in methanolic and aqueous extracts. While evaluating antioxidant potential, ethanolic extract was found to have the highest potential in comparison to the methanolic extract. The result suggests that the ethanolic extract of P. kurroa is a rich source of antioxidants and active phytoconstituent apocynin in comparison to other extracts and can be a preferred extract to be used to neutralize reactive oxygen species.