Darshan M. Kokate, Abhijeet B. Pawar and Saurav S. Gaikwad
Abstract
The genus Senecio (Asteraceae) is recognized for its extensive phytochemical diversity and pharmacological relevance; however, several endemic species remain scientifically underexplored. Senecio hewrensis, an endemic species reported from restricted regions of India, lacks comprehensive phytochemical and antioxidant characterization. The present study aimed to evaluate the preliminary phytochemical composition and antioxidant potential of S. hewrensis leaf extracts using solvents of varying polarity. Phytochemical analysis revealed a solvent-dependent distribution of bioactive compounds. Alkaloids were detected in all extracts, with the highest intensity observed in the chloroform fraction. Triterpenoids and non-polar flavonoids were predominant in the petroleum ether extract, while saponins were abundant in aqueous and chloroform extracts. Tannins were exclusively detected in the chloroform extract, whereas steroids, cardiac glycosides, proteins, and lipids showed variable presence across solvent systems. The antioxidant assays demonstrated significant differences among extracts. The methanolic extract exhibited the highest total antioxidant capacity (148.52 ± 2.41 mg ascorbic acid equivalents/g extract) and ferric reducing power (412.76 ± 6.25 ?mol Fe²+/g extract), followed by chloroform and aqueous extracts. The petroleum ether extract showed comparatively low antioxidant activity in both assays. The superior antioxidant performance of the methanolic extract is attributed to its higher efficiency in extracting polar antioxidant constituents, particularly flavonoids and phenolic compounds.