A Comprehensive Analysis of Hedychium Spicatum for Its Phytochemical Profile, Antioxidant Activity, Antibacterial Properties, and Cancer-Fighting Potential

Hedychium spicatum, a medicinal plant from the Zingiberaceae family, was evaluated for its phytochemical composition, antioxidant, anti-‎microbial, and anticancer activities using extracts prepared with solvents of varying polarity (water, ethanol, and acetone). Extraction yields ‎were highest with water (55.8%), followed by ethanol (46.8%) and acetone (42.6%). Phytochemical screening revealed that the water ‎tract contained the broadest range of secondary metabolites, encompassing tannins, flavonoids, glycosides, alkaloids, phenols, saponins, and ‎carbohydrates. Quantitative analyses showed greatest total phenolic content (16.67mg/g) along with total flavonoid content(2.99mg/g) in the ‎water extract, correlating with superior antioxidant activity in 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (77.54%), 2,2'-azino-bis (3-‎ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (89.70%), along with Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power assay (4571.43 µM Fe (II)/g) assays. A‎timicrobial study indicated that the water extract exhibited the most potent activity against Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, and ‎Escherichia coli, with select extract fractions demonstrating low minimum inhibitory concentrations. Anticancer screening revealed significant cytotoxicity of water and ethanol extract fractions against HeLa and MCF-7 cancer cell lines, with water fractions 3 and 5 showing the ‎highest activity. Water and ethanol bioactive fractions confirmed the presence of tannic acid, ferulic, and vanillic acid. The results support ‎traditional use of H. spicatum and highlight the potential of its polar extracts and bioactive fractions for therapeutic applications in antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anticancer drug development.