Vol. 7, Issue 10, Part B (2025)

An inter-generic comparison of phytochemical profiles and antioxidant potential between Drynaria quercifolia (L.) J.Sm. (Polypodiaceae) and Curcuma aeruginosa Roxb. (Zingiberaceae) rhizomes were carried out in context of oxidative stress mediated Gout inflammation. This study explores two taxonomically distinct genera traditionally recognized for their traditional value in relation to their anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic potential. Organoleptic evaluation of powdered rhizomes revealed genus-specific differences in colour, odour, texture and taste, while pH assessment indicated intrinsic variation between the two genera followed by Physiochemical characteristics. Soxhlet extraction using solvents of increasing polarity (petroleum ether, ethyl acetate, acetone, ethanol and water) enabled efficient recovery of metabolites. Qualitative screening confirmed the presence of primary and secondary metabolites, including phenolics, flavonoids, tannins, terpenoids and glycosides with varying intensities across solvents and genera. Quantitative estimation revealed that the ethanolic extract of D. quercifolia contained higher phenolic content (18.96 mg GAE/g extract), whereas C. aeruginosa showed greater flavonoid accumulation (85.26 mg QE/g extract). A range of antioxidant assays such as DPPH, ABTS, FRAP, superoxide and phosphomolybdenum were conducted to characterize their redox behavior through single electron transfer (SET) and hydrogen atom transfer (HAT) mechanisms which demonstrated significant activity in both species, with D. quercifolia showing prominent DPPH (IC₅₀ 28.07 μg/mL), ABTS (83, 229 μg TE/g extract), FRAP (760.98 mM Fe (II)/mg extract), superoxide scavenging (72.4%) and phosphomolybdenum activity (391.3 mg AAE/g extract), while C. aeruginosa exhibited comparatively higher antioxidant capacity in ethanol. Since oxidative stress plays a pivotal role in triggering inflammatory disorders like gout, the strong antioxidant potential of these rhizomes may contribute to alleviating oxidative damage linked with inflammation. This highlights the mechanistic basis for the antioxidant potential and validates their traditional therapeutic relevance from an inter-generic perspective.