Morphoanatomical and phytochemical traits of the terrestrial orchid Calanthe masuca with antioxidant activity

Arunkumar Radhakrishnan; Keerthana Mohan; Abdul Kaffoor Habibulla

doi:10.21448/ijsm.1751461

Morphoanatomical and phytochemical traits of the terrestrial orchid Calanthe masuca with antioxidant activity

Abstract

Calanthe masuca (D. Don) Lindl., a member of the family Orchidaceae, is native to Madagascar and tropical to subtropical Asia and is traditionally recognized for its therapeutic potential. Despite this, scientific evidence supporting its medicinal value remains limited. The present study aims to provide a comprehensive evaluation of the anatomical characteristics, phytochemical composition, and antioxidant potential of different parts of C. masuca, including leaves, pseudobulbs, and roots. Microscopic examination of the vegetative parts revealed distinct anatomical adaptations. Notably, both raphide and prismatic calcium oxalate crystals were observed simultaneously in the leaf tissues, serving as valuable diagnostic markers. The leaf sheath exhibited a rare discontinuous sclerenchymatous layering, indicating a unique form of structural reinforcement. The pseudobulb anatomy revealed vascular bundles encased in lignified sclerenchymatous cells, a feature rarely reported in orchids. Additionally, the root structure exhibited polyarch xylem and idioblasts containing raphides, signifying specialized adaptations to its terrestrial habitat. Qualitative phytochemical screening of ethanolic extracts from the leaves, pseudobulbs, and roots confirmed the presence of multiple bioactive constituents. Quantitative analysis exhibited significant levels of total flavonoids and phenolic content in the ethanolic leaf extract. Antioxidant activity assessed by DPPH radical scavenging was strongest in leaf extracts with the lowest IC50 value, followed by pseudobulbs and roots. These results highlight the notable anatomical specializations and rich phytochemical profile of C. masuca, underscoring its pharmacological potential, validating its traditional medicinal use, and its potential future applications in phytotherapy.

Keywords

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Plant Biochemistry, Botany (Other), Natural Products and Bioactive Compounds

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Arunkumar Radhakrishnan ^*
0009-0002-3909-0050
India

Keerthana Mohan This is me
0009-0002-7251-4345
India

Abdul Kaffoor Habibulla This is me
0000-0001-9133-6914
India

Early Pub Date

August 3, 2026

Publication Date

September 2, 2026

Submission Date

July 26, 2025

Acceptance Date

May 23, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 13 Number: 3

DOI

https://doi.org/10.21448/ijsm.1751461

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA57MU75EN

Cite

RIS / Bibtex

APA

Radhakrishnan, A., Mohan, K., & Habibulla, A. K. (2026). Morphoanatomical and phytochemical traits of the terrestrial orchid Calanthe masuca with antioxidant activity. International Journal of Secondary Metabolite, 13(3), 789-803. https://doi.org/10.21448/ijsm.1751461

AMA

1.Radhakrishnan A, Mohan K, Habibulla AK. Morphoanatomical and phytochemical traits of the terrestrial orchid Calanthe masuca with antioxidant activity. Int. J. Sec. Metabolite. 2026;13(3):789-803. doi:10.21448/ijsm.1751461

Chicago

Radhakrishnan, Arunkumar, Keerthana Mohan, and Abdul Kaffoor Habibulla. 2026. “Morphoanatomical and Phytochemical Traits of the Terrestrial Orchid Calanthe Masuca With Antioxidant Activity”. International Journal of Secondary Metabolite 13 (3): 789-803. https://doi.org/10.21448/ijsm.1751461.

EndNote

Radhakrishnan A, Mohan K, Habibulla AK (September 1, 2026) Morphoanatomical and phytochemical traits of the terrestrial orchid Calanthe masuca with antioxidant activity. International Journal of Secondary Metabolite 13 3 789–803.

IEEE

[1]A. Radhakrishnan, K. Mohan, and A. K. Habibulla, “Morphoanatomical and phytochemical traits of the terrestrial orchid Calanthe masuca with antioxidant activity”, Int. J. Sec. Metabolite, vol. 13, no. 3, pp. 789–803, Sept. 2026, doi: 10.21448/ijsm.1751461.

ISNAD

Radhakrishnan, Arunkumar - Mohan, Keerthana - Habibulla, Abdul Kaffoor. “Morphoanatomical and Phytochemical Traits of the Terrestrial Orchid Calanthe Masuca With Antioxidant Activity”. International Journal of Secondary Metabolite 13/3 (September 1, 2026): 789-803. https://doi.org/10.21448/ijsm.1751461.

JAMA

1.Radhakrishnan A, Mohan K, Habibulla AK. Morphoanatomical and phytochemical traits of the terrestrial orchid Calanthe masuca with antioxidant activity. Int. J. Sec. Metabolite. 2026;13:789–803.

MLA

Radhakrishnan, Arunkumar, et al. “Morphoanatomical and Phytochemical Traits of the Terrestrial Orchid Calanthe Masuca With Antioxidant Activity”. International Journal of Secondary Metabolite, vol. 13, no. 3, Sept. 2026, pp. 789-03, doi:10.21448/ijsm.1751461.

Vancouver

1.Arunkumar Radhakrishnan, Keerthana Mohan, Abdul Kaffoor Habibulla. Morphoanatomical and phytochemical traits of the terrestrial orchid Calanthe masuca with antioxidant activity. Int. J. Sec. Metabolite. 2026 Sep. 1;13(3):789-803. doi:10.21448/ijsm.1751461