Unveiling phytochemical constituents and antioxidant properties of Hedychium coccineum Buch.-Ham. ex Sm. rhizome and Hedychium ellipticum Buch.-Ham. ex Sm. rhizome and root from Thailand

Abstract

Hedychium coccineum Buch.-Ham. ex Sm. and Hedychium ellipticum Buch.-Ham. ex Sm., the species within the Zingiberaceae family, remain understudied regarding their phytochemical profiles and bioactivities. This study characterized their phytochemical constituents and assessing antioxidant properties in H. coccineum rhizomes and H. ellipticum rhizomes and roots. Results showed that total phenolic content values for H. coccineum extracts (water, 50% ethanol, 95% ethanol) were 24.60 ± 1.43, 69.61 ± 2.11, and 72.30 ± 10.72 mg GAE/g extract, respectively. H. ellipticum extracts yielded 22.62 ± 3.39, 52.45 ± 5.37, and 48.98 ± 3.96 mg GAE/g extract. For total flavonoid content, H. coccineum extracts contained 10.41 ± 4.24, 21.37 ± 4.41, and 37.94 ± 3.23 mg CE/g extract, while H. ellipticum contained 9.50 ± 0.24, 31.68 ± 1.30, and 40.67 ± 2.83 mg CE/g extract. In antioxidant assays, H. coccineum’s 50% ethanol extract showed the highest DPPH radical scavenging activity (IC50 = 318.15 ± 2.28 μg/mL), whereas its 95% ethanol extract was most effective in the FRAP assay (IC50 = 77.42 ± 12.12 μg/mL). H. ellipticum’s 50% ethanol extract demonstrated antioxidant activity in both DPPH (IC50 = 314.65 ± 41.69 μg/mL) and FRAP (IC50 = 215.57 ± 2.46 μg/mL) assays. Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry identified hedychenone (positive mode) and chrysin (negative mode) as predominant compounds in H. coccineum, while H. ellipticum contained hedychicoronarin (positive mode) and 2-nonanone (negative mode). This study provides valuable information on the phytochemical diversity and antioxidant potential of both species, highlighting unreported compounds and demonstrating their promising potential for health-related applications.