Comparative Leaf anatomical, histochemical, and metabolite profiling of Scopellaria marginata (Blume) W.J.de Wilde & Duyfjes (Cucurbitaceae)

Scopellaria marginata W.J.de Wilde & Duyfjes is a wild species of the Cucurbitaceae family that remains understudied. Data on the anatomical structure, histochemistry, and metabolite profiles of S. marginata , essential for guiding bioprospecting efforts, are currently lacking. Therefore, this study aimed to characterize the leaf anatomical, histochemical, and metabolite profile of S. marginata . The samples comprised four-month-old plants. Anatomical and histochemical observations were conducted using fresh preparation techniques, while metabolite analysis used Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC–MS) and Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS) instruments. The results showed that the leaf surfaces of S. marginata have uniseriate non-glandular and capitate glandular trichomes. The heteroblastic leaf of S. marginata (cordate, trilobate, and pentalobate) showed significant differences (p < 0.05) in the thickness and length of abaxial epidermal cells, stomatal density, the ratio of epidermal cell number to stomata number on the abaxial surface, and adaxial glandular trichome density. Furthermore, phytochemical screening showed the presence of phenolic compounds, alkaloids, steroids, lipophilic constituents, lignins, and triterpenoids, while tannins and starch were absent. A total of 52 and 155 metabolite were detected using GC–MS and LC-MS, respectively. Lipophilic metabolite were predominantly detected through GC–MS, while steroids were mainly identified by LC-MS. Methanol, ethanol, n -hexane, and chloroform as extraction solvents yielded a total of 93, 115, 48, and 52 metabolite, respectively. Metabolite identified with a Variable in Projection (VIP) score >1.5 suggest diverse biological activities, including antibacterial, antioxidant, allelopathic potential, antifungal, and anticancer. These results offer valuable basic data that can support the bioprospecting of S. marginata in diverse areas, including plant science and health benefits.