Comprehensive pharmacognostic standardization, safety evaluation, and phytochemical profiling of Ardisia paniculata Roxb. Leaves

Ardisia paniculata Roxb. is an ethnomedicinal plant with limited pharmacognostical, physicochemical, biological and phytochemical information. Pharmacognostic and physicochemical parameters of A. paniculata leaves were established in the present study, and their in-vitro anti-inflammatory and antidiabetic activities, high-resolution phytochemical profile, and selected safety-related contaminants were evaluated. Macroscopic, microscopic, powder-microscopic and physicochemical evaluations were performed, while anti-inflammatory activity was assessed by egg albumin denaturation and antidiabetic activity by α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibition assays. Among the tested extracts, the methanolic extract exhibited the highest activity. UPLC-ESI-QTOF-MS profiling of the hydroalcoholic extract showed flavonoid glycosides, flavonoids, phenolic acids, phenylpropanoids, diterpenoid and triterpenoid derivatives, and lipid-related metabolites, annotated at MSI Level 2 based on accurate mass and MS/MS fragmentation. Heavy metals and pesticide residues were within the permissible limits. The results of this study set reference points and provide initial biological and phytochemical data that justify the need for further studies on A. paniculata.