Phytochemical Characterization and Toxicity Activity of Tradescantia pendula Extracts

Tradescantia pendula is a medicinal plant traditionally used in Mexico to treat inflammatory and infectious conditions. This study evaluated the phytochemical composition, antimicrobial activity, toxicity, and cytotoxicity of T. pendula extracts. Plant material was sequentially extracted using hexane, chloroform, and methanol, followed by phytochemical screening, antimicrobial evaluation against clinically relevant bacterial strains, toxicity assessment using the Artemia salina model, cytotoxicity analysis in HaCaT and U937 cell lines, and GC–MS characterization. Phytochemical screening of the chloroform extract revealed the presence of flavonoids, tannins, triterpenes, and glycosides. Antimicrobial activity was observed mainly against Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, with bacterial viability reduced by up to 95.2%. Toxicity assays in Artemia salina demonstrated marked biological activity, with LC50 values of 63.54, 23.12, and 23.05 μg/mL for the hexane, chloroform, and methanol extracts, respectively. Cytotoxicity assays revealed cell type-dependent responses, with U937 monocytic cells exhibiting greater sensitivity than HaCaT keratinocytes. All three extracts produced non-monotonic concentration–response profiles, with enhanced metabolic activity at intermediate concentrations and substantial decreases in cell viability at lower concentrations. GC–MS analysis revealed lipophilic metabolites, including phytol-related compounds and fatty acid esters. These findings suggest that T. pendula is a promising source of bioactive metabolites with antimicrobial and cytotoxic properties, supporting its ethnopharmacological relevance and potential pharmacological applications.