Phytochemical Composition, Antioxidant, and Acetylcholinesterase Inhibitory Activities of Pluchea pteropoda Extract

Pluchea pteropoda (Asteraceae) has been traditionally employed in folk medicine; however, its phytochemical characteristics and biological activities remain insufficiently defined. This study aimed to elucidate the phytochemical composition, antioxidant properties, and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitory potential of leaf and root extracts prepared using 45% and 70% ethanol. Four extracts of 45% ethanol extract of leaves (L45), 70% ethanol extract of leaves (L70), 45% ethanol extract of roots (R45), and 70% ethanol extract of roots (R70) were obtained and subjected to qualitative phytochemical screening, quantitative determination of total phenolic and flavonoid contents, DPPH radical scavenging and FRAP reducing power assays, as well as AChE inhibition assessment via Ellman’s method. Data were analyzed using regression-based IC50 estimation and reported as the mean of triplicate measurements. Leaf extracts exhibited substantially higher phenolic (up to 52.89 mg GAE/g) and flavonoid contents (20.62 mg QE/g) compared to root extracts. Antioxidant performance varied according to solvent strength: L45 demonstrated the most potent DPPH scavenging activity (IC50 = 194.8 µg/mL), whereas L70 showed superior reducing capability. AChE inhibitory activity followed the order L70 > L45 > R70 > R45, although L70 remained approximately 16 times less potent than galantamine. Collectively, the findings indicate that P. pteropoda possesses noteworthy antioxidant potential and moderate AChE inhibition, suggesting its promise as a natural source for the development of phytotherapies targeting oxidative stress and neurodegenerative disorders.