Phytochemical Diversity and Anti‐Inflammatory, Antidiabetic and Bronchodilatory Activities of Sugandhmantri ( <i>Homalomena aromatica</i> )

Homalomena aromatica (Spreng.) Schott is one of the economically important plant species in India. The current study has assessed the chemical diversity of H. aromatica collected from various locations around India. The essential oils (HA1-HA8) and supercritical CO₂ extract (HA9) prepared from the rhizomes of the plant were investigated using chromatographic and spectroscopic techniques. The study revealed a rich diversity in the chemical composition and essential oil content (0.57% ± 0.03%-1.56% ± 0.05%) of the examined samples. Altogether, 84 chemical constituents, representing 75.9%-96.4% of the total composition, were identified. The major components of the essential oils were linalool (29.9%-59.2%), sabinene (<0.05%-12.3%), homalomenol D (2.3%-11.2%), germacrene d-4-ol (0.0%-10.7%) and α-cadinol (4.1%-10.3%). However, major constituents of the HA9 were linalool (10.9%), oplopanone (6.6%), α-cadinol (6.1%) and homalomenol D (5.1%). The treatment of HA1 and HA9 showed a significant decrease in pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α and IL-6) without significant toxic effect in HaCaT cells. Treatment with HA1 and HA9 significantly enhanced glucose uptake in L6 myotube cells. The HA1 and its isolates (linalool and homalomenol D) exhibited a relaxation response of isolated mouse bronchial tissue precontraction in carbachol. The study revealed the rich chemical diversity and the therapeutic potential of H. aromatica.