Genetic Characterization, phytochemical analysis and evaluation of the antioxidant and wound healing activities of Phyllanthus angustifolius Sw. and Phyllanthus emblica L

Abstract Phyllanthus species are widely recognized for their medicinal value, with Phyllanthus emblica being extensively studied, whereas Phyllanthus angustifolius remains comparatively under-investigated. This study aimed to comparatively characterize the genetic and phytochemical profiles, antioxidant capacity, and in vitro scratch closure activity of P. angustifolius and P. emblica . Genetic characterization was performed using primers targeting chalcone synthase (CHS), cinnamate 4-hydroxylase (C4H), phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL), and D-galacturonate reductase (GalUR). While both species yielded positive amplicons for key biosynthetic genes, distinct differences in the PCR amplification patterns for the phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) locus were observed. These variations reflect genetic diversity rather than functional gene absence, underscoring the need for sequencing and expression analyses to clarify metabolic regulation. Colorimetric assays showed that P. angustifolius had a higher total flavonoid content, whereas P. emblica had a higher tannin content. HPLC-DAD analysis identified several phenolic acids and flavonoids, with gallic acid and quercetin among the predominant identified constituents. P. emblica exhibited higher antioxidant activity across the DPPH, ABTS, and FRAP assays and showed greater scratch closure than P. angustifolius under the tested conditions. Notably, the stronger antioxidant and scratch closure responses of P. emblica coincided with differences in its overall phytochemical profile, including its higher tannin content and markedly higher gallic acid content, whereas the higher total flavonoid content of P. angustifolius did not correspond to greater antioxidant or scratch closure activity. These findings suggest that the observed biological differences may reflect the combined contribution of the overall phytochemical composition rather than the abundance of a single compound class. Further mechanistic and in vivo studies are required to determine the constituents and pathways contributing to these activities.