Proximate composition, Phytochemical analysis and Antioxidant potential of a Rare Anticancer Plant: Unveiling the Secrets of Pyrenacantha volubilis Wight Fruit Peel and Pulp.

Abstract

Pyrenacantha volubilis.wight is a medicinally important plant recognized for its therapeutic potential and promising anticancer properties. This woody liana is restricted to Eastern coast of South India having potent antitumor compound Camptothecin. Assessment of proximate composition and phytochemical constituent provides insights of their medicinal efficiency. In this study proximate composition, phytochemicals and antioxidant potential of fruit peel and pulp were evaluated. Proximate analysis showed significantly different (p<0.05) components across various parameters between samples. Peel and pulp showed different mineral composition, with pulp enriched with trace elements like Zn, Fe and Mg, while peel with metals like Na and K. Quantitative estimation of alkaloids, phenolics, condensed tannins, saponins and flavonoids across methanol and aqueous extracts, clearly shows that methanolic peel extracts were richer in bioactive compounds than pulp.  ABTS and DPPH radical scavenging activities revealed methanolic pulp extract with highest radical scavenging activity with IC₅₀ value at 120.35 µg/mL and 372.06 µg/mL respectively followed by aqueous peel extract (131.17 µg/mL and 468.08 µg/mL), aqueous pulp extract (150.11 µg/mL and 557.19 µg/mL), and methanolic peel extract (204.14 µg/mL and 613.8 µg/mL). CUPRAC and Phosphomolybdenum assay were also conducted to determine reducing capacity and total antioxidant potential. Overall, the methanolic peel extract showed approximately 5 times higher total antioxidant activity than aqueous pulp extract suggesting that peel is phytochemically richer than pulp. These findings indicate that fruit peels may serve as important reservoirs of bioactive metabolites and cost effective source for nutraceuticals and pharmaceuticals.