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Vol. 38 No. 5 (2026): Vol 38, Issue 5, 2026

Copyright (c) 2026 JAYARAM JAYARAJ K, Dr. K. RAJATHII, Dr. SHALINI. D, Dr. R. VENKATESH, Dr. SATHYA.M

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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Evaluation of Phytochemicals, Antioxidant Capacity and Apoptosis-Inducing Potentials of Hydrocotyle vulgaris in A431 Human Skin Carcinoma Cells

https://doi.org/10.14233/ajchem.2026.35652
K. Jayaram Jayaraj
Department of Biochemistry, CMS College of Science and Commerce, Chinnavedampatti, Coimbatore-641049, India
K. Rajathi
Department of Biochemistry, Dr. N.G.P. College of Arts and Science, Coimbatore-641048, India
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5626-699X
D. Shalini
Department of Biotechnology, K.G. College of Arts and Science, Saravanampatti, Coimbatore-641035, India
R. Venkatesh
Department of Biochemistry, Kongunadu Arts and Science College (Autonomous), Coimbatore-641029, India
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7881-5926
M. Sathya
Department of Biochemistry, CMS College of Science and Commerce, Chinnavedampatti, Coimbatore-641049, India

Corresponding Author(s) : K. Rajathi

rajathi@drngpasc.ac.in

Asian Journal of Chemistry, Vol. 38 No. 5 (2026): Vol 38, Issue 5, 2026

Abstract

This study evaluated the phytochemical profile, antioxidant activity and anticancer potential of aqueous and methanolic extracts of Hydrocotyle vulgaris leaf. Qualitative analysis revealed the presence of carbohydrates, tannins, saponins, flavonoids, quinones, phenols, terpenoids, anthraquinones and proteins in both extracts, while glycosides were detected only in the aqueous extract. Quantitative estimation showed higher levels of total phenolics, flavonoids, tannins and total antioxidant capacity in the aqueous extract compared to the methanolic extract. Antioxidant assays demonstrated concentration-dependent DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging activities, with the aqueous extract exhibiting lower IC50 values (303.5 and 324.8 µg/mL, respectively). GC-MS analysis of the aqueous extract identified 28 bioactive compounds, indicating chemical diversity. The aqueous extract exhibited significant cytotoxicity against A431 human skin carcinoma cells with an IC50 of 107.92 µg/mL. Morphological assessment, fluorescence staining, flow cytometry and DNA fragmentation analysis confirmed apoptosis-mediated cell death. Collectively, these findings highlight the antioxidant efficiency and apoptosis-inducing anticancer activity of H. vulgaris leaf extract, supporting its potential as a promising source of natural bioactive compounds for therapeutic applications.

Keywords

Hydrocotyle vulgaris Phytochemical analysis Antioxidant activity Anticancer activity A431 skin carcinoma cells
(1)
Jayaraj, K. J.; Rajathi, K.; Shalini, D.; Venkatesh, R.; Sathya, M. Evaluation of Phytochemicals, Antioxidant Capacity and Apoptosis-Inducing Potentials of Hydrocotyle Vulgaris in A431 Human Skin Carcinoma Cells. ajc 2026, 38, 1279-1288.
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