Health Beneficial Chemo Diversity and Antioxidant Potential of Philonotis revoluta Bosch & Sande Lac (A‐Moss)

ABSTRACT

The current study evaluated the phytochemical composition and antioxidant potential of Philonotis revoluta using methanolic, ethyl acetate, and n‐hexane extracts through analytical techniques. Preliminary qualitative analysis revealed secondary metabolites such as flavonoids, phenols, terpenoids, glycosides, alkaloids, and saponins. UV‐visible analysis supported the occurrence of compounds, and FTIR analysis confirmed the presence of diverse functional groups. GC‐MS identified various bioactive compounds, including ergost‐5‐en‐3‐ol, stigmasta‐5,22‐dien‐3‐ol, and other secondary metabolites. Quantitative analysis showed that the methanol extract had the highest total phenolic (21.97 ± 0.06 mg GAE/g) and total flavonoid content (38.97 ± 0.04 mg QE/g) compared to the ethyl acetate and n‐hexane extracts. Antioxidant assays (DPPH, ABTS, and FRAP) showed a solvent polarity‐dependent effect, with methanol showing stronger scavenging activity (IC ₅₀ 229 ± 1.036 µg/mL ABTS; 568 ± 3.963 µg/mL DPPH), followed by the ethyl acetate and hexane extracts, while ethyl acetate (41.42 ± 0.000 µg FeSO ₄ eq/mL) showed comparatively higher ferric‐reducing power than methanol and hexane extracts. All extracts showed significant antioxidant activity ( p < 0.05). The study suggested P. revoluta contains numerous biologically active phytochemicals with promising antioxidant activity; therefore, there remains scope for this study to explore the therapeutic potential for the development of new drugs.