2025, Vol. 13, Issue 4, Part C

author(s)
Balram Sahu

abstract
Medicinal plants are valuable sources of phytochemicals with significant pharmacological properties, including antioxidant, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effects. Efficient extraction methods are crucial to maximize the therapeutic potential of these bioactive compounds. In this study, we comparatively examined the phytochemical profiles and antioxidant activities of three ethnomedicinally important plants Clitoria ternatea, Cassia tora and Sida acuta, using three conventional extraction techniques: maceration, decoction and Soxhlet extraction. These species are widely used by rural communities in the Balrampur district of Chhattisgarh, yet limited research exists regarding the most suitable extraction method for optimal bioactivity. Qualitative screening confirmed the presence of major phytochemical classes in all extracts. Across all three plants Clitoria ternatea, Cassia tora, and Sida acuta, the soxhlet extraction (CT-SOX, CA-SOX, SA-SOX) generally yielded more intense reactions/presence (++ to +++) for a broad range of phytochemicals compared to Maceration (MAC) and Decoction (DEC), indicating its superior efficiency in extracting bioactive compounds. DPPH assay showed the strongest antioxidant activity in CT-SOX and SA-SOX extracts i.e. 78.5±4.5% and 73.3±3.8% inhibition, respectively. Decoction generally showed lower bioactive recovery, especially in Cassia tora and Sida acuta, while maceration offered moderate antioxidant performance. Significant differences (p<0.05) were observed in qualitative and antioxidant activity among extraction methods and species. Our study established soxhlet as the most effective method for recovering antioxidants. The findings are valuable for standardizing herbal formulations and enhancing the evidence-based application of these plants in traditional and modern healthcare systems.