Exploring the Therapeutic Potential of <i>Podophyllum hexandrum</i> Root Extract: Chemical Composition, Antimicrobial Efficacy, and Antioxidant and Anticancer Activities

Medicinal plants have been used for centuries as therapeutic compounds to address various health issues. Their rich phytochemical composition offers diverse bioactive substances with potential health benefits. This study aimed to explore the therapeutic potential of <i>Podophyllum hexandrum</i> root extract by investigating its chemical composition and antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anticancer properties. The phytochemical profiling of <i>P. hexandrum</i> root was conducted using GC-MS analysis, which identified 26 compounds in the extract. The ethanolic root extract displayed strong inhibitory effects in the well diffusion assay against all tested microbes, with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values ranging from 64 to 256 μg/mL. <i>Candida albicans</i> exhibited the lowest MIC value of 64 μg/mL. The antioxidant activity of the extracts was compared to standard antioxidant, revealing a dose-dependent response with a notable radical scavenging activity of 59.23% at 100 μg/mL. Furthermore, the extract demonstrated strong cytotoxic effects against the human cancer cell line HT-29, with IC₅₀ values of 38.20 and 32.5 μg/mL for 24 and 48 h. Overall, this study emphasizes the remarkable antibacterial, antioxidant, and anticancer properties of <i>P. hexandrum</i> root extract.