Chemical profiling and bioactivity of different organs of Hedychium spicatum from Northwestern Himalayan, India

The point of this study is to evaluate the chemical composition of secondary metabolites, quantification of major compounds, and assess α-glucosidase inhibition activity in fresh and dried samples (rhizomes, roots, leaves, and stems) of Hedychium spicatum essential oils (EOs). Notably, this work represents the first attempt to analyze stem-derived EO in this species, including the quantification of key secondary metabolites. It also offers the initial assessment of α-glucosidase inhibitory activity in EOs obtained from both stems and leaves. GC/GC-MS and NMR techniques were used for qualitative and quantitative analysis, revealing variations between fresh and dried samples. Major components included α-pinene (1.2-10.6%), β-pinene (2.1-49.9%), 1,8-cineole (8.0-76.3%), α-humulene (2.5-5.5%), elemol (1.2-5.5%), and 7-epi-γ-eudesmol (2.0-8.9%). Quantitative determination of key EO constituents (α-pinene, 1,8-cineole, linalool, camphor, 4-terpineol, and α-humulene) was carried out using a GC-MS-based method, developed and validated in accordance with ICH guidelines. Method validation included assessment of linearity, limits of detection (LOD) and quantification (LOQ), and intra- and inter-day precision, confirming the reliability of the approach for quality control purposes. Furthermore, the EOs exhibited strong α-glucosidase inhibitory activity, indicating their potential as natural antidiabetic option. Overall, this study provides crucial insights into H. spicatum EOs, supporting their quality control and therapeutic applications.