Impact of Quality Control Standardization Parameters and Antioxidant Potential of the Aerial Parts of Potentilla fulgens Wall.: A Comprehensive Monographic Study

Potentilla fulgens Wall. (Rosaceae) is a medicinal herb that is traditionally used to treat diabetes, ulcers, diarrhea, and cancer. Since the genus Potentilla bears numerous closely related species; hence, standardization of the specific species is of great importance. The present study aims to evaluate the aerial parts of P. fulgens (APPF) based on pharmacognostic, phytochemical, an in vitro study (antioxidant and antimicrobial) aspects. Pharmacognostical study of the APPF was done as per the standard guidelines of WHO. The study of in vitro antioxidant assays includes the total antioxidant capacity, reducing power assay, radical scavenging activity for DPPH, superoxide, hydrogen peroxide, and hydroxyl radical. Antimicrobial assays of the successive extracts (PFSEs) were screened on six bacterial strains viz. B. subtilis, B. pumilus, E. coli, M. luteus, P. aeruginosa, and S. aureus. The results of the present investigation depicted that various diagnostic characters can be drawn from the pharmacognostic aspects of APPF. Phytochemical screening concurrent with TLC showed the presence of polyphenolics, steroids, saponins, and carbohydrates. Total phenolic and tannin content was estimated which was found to be as high as up to 170.9 mg/g and 63.50 mg/ g respectively. PFSEs showed significant (p<0.05) antioxidant activity when compared to a reference standard (ascorbic acid); thus generating a strong linear co-relationship (R2=0.984) between total phenolic content responsible for antioxidative effects. Antimicrobial activity of methanol extract (MPF) showed significant inhibitory activity against B. pumilus, E. coli, and M. leuteus. In conclusion, the present study revealed the pharmacognostical standardization of the aerial parts of P. fulgens with potent antioxidant and antimicrobial efficacy.