Clerodendrum, Phytochemicals, Minerals, home remedy prescription.

A persistent challenge remains with the bioactive components of therapeutic herbal plants, which are not only valuable for health care management - serving as therapeutic treatments and general body fitness tonic- but also crucial for conserving genetic diversity through chemo diversification. To address this, a comparative study of two different studies of Clerodendrum has been undertaken to gain a deeper understanding of the potentianization of therapeutic compounds found in medicinal plants commonly used in traditional remedies and body fitness prescriptions. 

Phytochemicals, long recognized for their numerous properties such as antioxidant, antiallergic, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, antiproliferative, and anticarcinogenic effects (Katzung, 2007), have played a vital role in human health care since ancient times. Medicinal plants, including trees and shrubs with nutritional values are essential components of human diets, providing minerals, vitamins, hormone precursors, proteins, and energy.  The medicinal properties of plant are largely determined by their phytochemicals and other chemical constituents (Fallah et al., 2005).

Clerodendrum, a valuable wild herb commonly found in North east India, belongs to the Verbenaceae family and is widely distributed across tropical and subtropical regions, with some species extending into temperate zones. The genus, first described by Linnaeus in 1753 is estimated to comprise between 560 and 580 species (Moldenke, 1971; Munir, 1989). The leaves of Clerodendrum, are traditionally used as a bitter tonic, vermifuge, laxative, and cholagogue. Fresh leaf juice is introduced into the rectum for the removal of ascarids and is also believed to have antihelmintic properties. Leaves and roots are used for external practices on tumors (Anonymous 2010). Clerodendrum colebrookainum has widely used by Indigenous people of North East India as medicinal purpose to lower the level of high blood pressure. Some workers have also reported the traditional uses of this herbs in controlling high blood pressure and related problems in eastern Himalayan regions of India (Nath and Bordoloi 1991; Lokesh and Amitsankar 2012). 

In recent years, interest in plant- based medicines has resurged, fueled by concerns over the side effects of synthetic drugs and a growing preference for more natural treatments. Secondary metabolites and minerals include in diet act as nutraceuticals thus help in fighting various health problem (Payum, 2020). Plant based natural compounds as cardioprotective and antihypertensive agents rich in a variety of secondary metabolites such as flavonoids, alkaloids, tannins, and terpenoids are helpful (Ortai et al., 2018). These two plants are indigenous therapeutic plants to the North Eastern parts of India (Jayashree et al., 2024). However, there is seldom report of comparative studies of bioactive and mineral elements content in these two medicinal plants. Therefore, the present study gives better chance to determine the differences of secondary metabolites and minerals content in species levels and that will be highly applicable in medical practices, and to achieve this goal in -depth analysis.

The test plants Clerodendrum colebrookainum and Clerodendrum chinensis were collected from the Kakching, Kakching District Manipur during August – September 2022. They were identified by Botanical Survey of India (BSI) Shilong, and the specimen was deposited at Waikhom Mani Girls’ College, Thoubal, Manipur. The plant materials were cleaned, rinsed with deionized water and allowed to evaporate at room temperature and carefully ground into uniform powdered to avoid contamination by dust. 

Mineral element determination: The major element of Potassium, Calcium, Magnesium, Phosphorous and trace element comprising Sulphur, copper, zinc, iron and manganese were determined chemically from the plant materials following the methods of analysis described by the standard methods (Caper et al., 1978; Tondon, 1993; Gupta, 2006). Potassium was measured by flame photometer method, Phosphorous by vanado – molybdate yellow method and Sulphur through spectrophotometer, and minerals of calcium, zinc, iron, copper, magnesium and manganese were determined using atomic absorption spectroscopy. 

Phytochemical determination: 

Determination of free radical. Free radical scavenging of plant extract enacted following DPPH radicals (Dudonne et al., 2009).

Radical scavenging activity was calculated using the following formula 

% inhibition = [(AB-AE) / AB] × 100

Where

AB = Absorbance of the blank sample

AE = Absorbance of the plant extract. 

Estimation of total flavonoid content:  Total flavonoid content was estimated following standard method of Chang et al. (2002).

Total phenol determination: Total phenol was determined following approved method of Malick and Singh (1980).

Tannin determination: Tannin was determined following method of Sadasiyam and Manickan (1992).

Determination of percentage of alkaloid and saponin

The alkaloid and saponin percentage were determined following the method of Hamid et al. (2004); Obadoni and Ochuko (2001).

The present investigation on phytochemical constituents of Clerodendrum yields a number of organic compounds including antioxidant and allocate in different strengths' viz., saponin 50 mg/g, flavonoid 20.64 mg/g, alkaloid 25 mg/g, phenol 19.36 mg/g, tannin 18.4 mg/g and antioxidant 60 μg/ml in Clerodendrum colebrookainum while saponin 45 mg/g, flavonoid 36.82 mg/g, alkaloid 20 mg/g, phenol 4.18 mg/g, tannin 1.01 mg/g and antioxidant 24.8 μg/ml in Clerodendrum chinensis. The accorded data of phytochemical constituents of Clerodendrum spp. are shown in Table 1 and 2, and graphically in Fig. 1 and 2. The test herbals was estimated with various minerals in different concentrations' viz., Potassium account 6.4 mg/g, Calcium 10.3 mg/g, Magnesium 5.31 mg/g, Iron 0.38 mg/g, Sulfur 1.35mg/g, Zinc 0.13mg/g, Copper 0.06 mg/g,  Manganese 0.66mg/g, Phosphorous  0.2 mg/g,  Cobalt nil in Clerodendrum colebrookainum Potassium account 7.1 mg/g, Calcium 9.5 mg/g, Magnesium 5.81 mg/g, Iron 0.56 mg/g, Sulfur 2.3 mg/g, Zinc 0.10 mg/g, Copper 0.06 mg/g,  Manganese 0.16mg/g, Phosphorous  0.66 mg/g,  and Cobalt nil in Clerodendrum chinensis.  The accorded data were tabulated in Table 2 and graphically represented in Fig. 2. Analysis in Table 1 revealed that the fully matured plants of Clerodendrum were full of resourceful resources of therapeutic organic compounds viz., antioxidant, phenol, saponin, flavonoid, alkaloid and tannin that are available in the wild in nature. The result of these bioactive compound is freely presence on the plant.

Table 1: The phytochemical constituents of the C. colebrookainum and C. chinense in µg/ml and mg/gm.

Table 2: Composition of Mineral elements of C. colebrookainum and C. chinensis in mg/g.

The phytochemical constituents of the two test Clerodendrum spp. viz., Clerodendrum colebrookainum and Clerodendrum chinensis reflect the variances in the content of bioactive constituents exceeding C. colebrookainum exceeds in phenol, alkaloid, saponin, tannin while the C. chinensis exceed in antioxidant and flavonoids (Table 1 and Fig. 1). Regarding mineral elements, C. colebrookainum scored less value than that of C. chinensis. However, both species evidence the significant composition of bioactive viz., Antioxidants, flavonoids, phenols, alkaloids, saponin, tannin, and minerals viz., K, Ca, Mg, P, S, Fe, Zn, Cu, Mn accentuate the synergistic activities of the constituent compounds. (Table 2).

Fig. 1. Phytochemical composition of Clerodendrum colebrookainum and Clerodendrum chinensis.

Fig. 2. Mineral composition of Clerodendrum colebrookainum and Clerodendrum chinensis.

Potassium (K) plays a key role in nerve to functions and muscles to contraction, helping to regulate heartbeat. It also aids in transporting nutrients into cells and removing waste products from them. A potassium rich diet can help counteract some of sodium's negative effects on blood pressure. Studies have also shown that a diet high in potassium may reduce the risk of strokes (Jie Tang, 2024; Jerlyn Jones 2024). Besides K, calcium is a vital nutrient accounting for about 2 percent of body weight, making it the fifth most abundant element in the body after oxygen, carbon, hydrogen, and nitrogen. Its primary role is providing strength to the skeleton by forming insoluble salts with phosphoric acid. The regulation of calcium levels by parathyroid hormone and vitamin D underscores its importance in the neuromuscular system, heart function, enzyme-driven reactions, and various metabolic processes. When calcium is depleted from bones, the bone matrix is also resorbed, leading to osteoporosis rather than osteomalacia (Singh et al., 2024). On the other hand, magnesium is crucial for essential for over 300 biochemical reactions in the body's metabolism. It supports normal nerve and muscle function, strengthen immune system, maintains a steady heartbeat, and helps in keeping bones strong. Moreover, it also regulates blood glucose levels and enhance more energy and protein. Magnesium also plays a role in preventing and managing conditions like high blood pressure, heart disease, and diabetes. However, magnesium supplements is not currently recommended. Diets high in protein, calcium, or vitamin D can increase the body’s need for magnesium (Anonymous, 2024).

Sulfur, along with calcium and phosphorus is one of the most essential minerals in the human body. It plays the key role in crucial processes such as protein synthesis, gene regulation, DNA repair, and supporting metabolic functions. Sulfur is also vital for producing and recycling glutathione, a major antioxidant that reduce inflammation and protects cells from oxidative damage. Sulfur also plays a crucial role in preserving the integrity of connective tissues including skin, tendons, and ligaments. As an essential mineral in the diet, sulfur is a key part of important amino acids like methionine and cysteine. Its potential health benefits include relieving arthritis pain, improving skin health, and promoting liver function. Sulfur-containing compounds found in cruciferous vegetables, called glucosinolates, are associated with a reduced risk of heart disease (Sowmya Binu 2022). Sulfur is also important for a healthy heart, as its movement in and out of cells helps regulate the heartbeat. However excessively high blood sulfur levels can cause the heart to become weakened and dilated, potentially leading to abnormal heart rhythms (Akiyuki Nishimura et al., 2024).

Antioxidants inhibit molecule oxidation which, in turn, produces free radicals capable of starting chain reactions. When the chain reaction starts in a cell, it could injure the cell or cause its death. By removing free radicals, antioxidants restrict these chain reactions and inhibit other oxidation reactions by being oxidized (Ross, 1999). Plants and animals have complex systems of multiple types of antioxidants, including glutathione, vitamins A, C, and E, as well as enzymes like superoxide dismutase, catalase, and several peroxidases (Nickenig and Harrison 2002; Rafieian Kopaei et al., 2013). The diets rich in fruits and green vegetables can reduce blood pressure in hypertensive and normotensive patients (Weiss et al., 2001). A study found that increasing fruit and vegetable consumption in the diet of hypertensive individuals over 6- months period resulted in higher blood antioxidant levels and a reduction in both systolic and diastolic blood pressure (Rajagopalan et al., 1996). Diets rich in antioxidants from sources like fruits and vegetables may help in lowering blood pressure and reducing the risk of cardiovascular diseases, but the same benefits maynot typically seen with diet supplementation (Azumi and Inoue 2002). Flavonoids, a type of phytonutrients from the polyphenol family, are plant-based compounds. Consuming foods rich in flavonoids, anthocyanins and polymers has been shown to lower systolic blood pressure and pulse pressure (Clark et al., 2015). Phenolic compounds comprise different families of compounds widely distributed in nature and found in most foods of vegetable origin. Their large chemical unpredictability includes several thousands of compounds, from simple phenolic acids to complex flavonoids. These compounds have attracted a lot of attention because they influence different organoleptic parameters, such as color or taste. However, at present, the interest focused on these components is even higher and relies on the beneficial health benefits that they are thought to confer (Lorena and Lung 2018). Phenolic compounds are usually very powerful antioxidants, although some of them are also regarded as antimicrobial or anticarcinogenic.

The Bioactive compounds found in these medicinal plants confirm their therapeutic properties. The potential of these herbs highlights their suitability for use in enhancing crude drugs. Incorporation herbal components is essential in identifying and determining bioactive compounds for use in herbal pharmaceutical preparations and medical treatments.  The detection, identification, and analysis of therapeutic components associated with medicinal plants, their synergistic and antagonistic effects, interaction with pathogens, and influence on cellular tissues and metabolic functions, emphasize the growing need for research and development in the medicinal plant-based industry. 

(i) For better understanding of chemo diversity (ii) For conserving natural bioactive chemical compounds. 

M. Neshwari Devi,  S.R. Singh  and M. Homeshwari Devi  (2024). Bioactive Components of Two Wild Edible Therapeutic Plants of Clerodendrum, Commonly Practices in Home Remedy Prescription. Biological Forum – An International Journal, 16(11): 122-126.