ADVANCED PHYTOCHEMICAL PROFILING AND EVALUATION OF ANTIOXIDANT, ANTIMICROBIAL, AND THERAPEUTIC POTENTIAL OF ACALYPHA INDICA LINN. LEAF EXTRACTS

Medicinal plants are vital in global healthcare, especially in developing countries where Medicinal plants play a crucial role in global healthcare, particularly in developing countries where traditional medicine remains widely practiced. Acalypha indica Linn. (Indian nettle) is a medicinal herb recognized for its extensive ethnomedicinal applications and diverse phytochemical composition. Traditionally, it has been used in the management of respiratory disorders, skin infections, inflammatory conditions, and gastrointestinal ailments. Phytochemical investigations have identified several bioactive constituents, including flavonoids, alkaloids, terpenoids, tannins, and phenolic compounds, which contribute to its therapeutic potential. Studies have demonstrated significant antioxidant and broad-spectrum antimicrobial activities, attributed to its free radical scavenging capacity and inhibitory effects against various bacterial and fungal pathogens. Furthermore, Acalypha indica exhibits promising anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective, wound-healing, antidiabetic, anticancer, antiparasitic, and immunomodulatory properties, likely resulting from synergistic interactions among its phytoconstituents. Growing concerns regarding antimicrobial resistance and the increasing demand for plant-based therapeutics emphasize the need for further scientific investigation and clinical validation of Acalypha indica to facilitate its integration into modern healthcare systems. This review emphasizes the phytochemical richness and pharmacological significance of Acalypha indica leaves and discusses future prospects for drug discovery, phytopharmaceutical development, and evidence-based integration into modern healthcare systems.