Chemical composition of Gastrocotyle hispida (Forssk.) bunge and Heliotropium crispum Desf. and evaluation of their multiple in vitro biological potentials

Medicinal plants largely serve as a source of bioactive compounds in traditional medicines to cure various diseases. The present study was aimed at chemical composition, antioxidant, antimicrobial, cytotoxic and antihemolytic potential of five different extracts of G. hispida and H. crispum (Boraginaceae). G. hispida methanolic extract displayed highest number (eleven) of polyphenolic compounds by using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Functional groups were identified by Fourier-transformed infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and elements (Si, Fe, Ba, Mg, Ti, Ca, Mg and Cr) were observed by using laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) which were also highly expressed in G. hispida as compared to H. crispum. Antioxidant activity was determined via six assays and antibacterial activity was observed in decreasing order of methanol > ethanol > chloroform > ethyl acetate > n-Hexane in both species. Cytotoxic potential was investigated against brine shrimps and then liver (HepG2) and skin (HT144) cancer cell lines which was detected highest in the G. hispida ethanolic extract (50.76 % and 72.95 %). However, H. crispum chloroform extract revealed highest (31.869 μg/mL) antihemolytic activity and its methanolic extract indicated highest (13.5 %) alpha-amylase inhibitory potential. Altogether, results suggested that both species could be used effectively in food and drug industries owing to the presence of vital bioactive compounds and elements. In future, we recommend to isolate active compounds and to perform in vivo biological assays to further validate their potential biological applications.