Comparative metabolite profiling, assessment of antioxidant and antidiabetic activities of three wild Curcuma species

Rhizome extracts of wild Curcuma species from the Sub-Himalayan Terai region, including Curcuma amada Roxb., Curcuma aromatica Salisb., and Curcuma caesia Roxb., were tested for bioactive metabolites, antioxidants, and antidiabetic properties. GC-MS profiling indicated a wide range of terpenoids, while RP-HPLC found different phenolic compounds. Curcuma aromatica Salisb. had greater levels of quercetin (865.56 ± 0.55 mg/kg) and ferulic acid (381.74 ± 0.56 mg/kg), but Curcuma caesia Roxb. had higher levels of p-coumaric acid (938.51 ± 0.67 mg/kg), total phenolics (10.76 ± 0.51 mg GAE/g), and flavonoids (7.10 ± 0.12 mg QE/g). Curcuma amada Roxb. demonstrated strong antioxidant and antiglycation activities with DPPH (IC50 61.10 ± 0.29 µg/mL), ABTS (IC50 74.62 ± 0.64 µg/mL), and antiglycation (IC50 2.33 ± 0.01 µg/mL). Curcuma aromatica Salisb. demonstrated superior metal-chelating activity (71.28%) and α-glucosidase inhibition (IC50 17.44 µg/mL). These findings highlighted the potential therapeutic value of wild Curcuma species as natural multifunctional phytochemicals.