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The present study was conducted to evaluate the phytochemical profile of green grasses including barley and wheat. Green grasses were procured from Ayub Agricultural Research Institute, Faisalabad, Pakistan. All the phytochemical parameters were determined through standard methods with slight modifications. The explored parameters include proximate analysis, mineral profile, vitamin profile, and especially antioxidant profile (total phenolic contents (TPCs), free radical scavenging activity, flavonoids, and phenolic acids). The results portrayed that there was a significant difference between the proximate parameters, vitamin, and minerals profile of both barley and wheatgreen grasses. The antioxidant profile - antioxidant activity (283.5%) and free radical scavenging activity (99.29%) - of barley grass was much higher than wheatgrass. The TPCs (203.52 µmol of GAE/g) and flavonoids (161.12 μmol/L) were much higher in wheatgrass as compared to barley grass. Barley grass showed maximum contents of phenolic acids including benzoic acid (73.84 µg/g), caffeic acid (86.61 µg/g), gallic acid (6.33 µg/g), syringic acid (170.46 µg/g), p-hydroxybenzoic acid (42.52 µg/g), and Ferulic acid (1560.3 µg/g). Conclusively, barley grass showed higher antioxidant potential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gynostemma pentaphyllum belongs to the family Cucurbitaceae which is native to China where it is also termed an immortal herb. It is an emerging herb gaining fame for its rich phytochemistry. It is loaded with superior phytochemicals with immense therapeutic potential. The key phytochemicals include saponins and sterols. Saponins are a wide class of bioactive found in Gynostemma pentaphyllum and 100 different saponins have been reported to date by different researchers in this herb. Several sterols have been demonstrated in this plant including ergostanol, sitosterol and stigmasterol. All these bioactive substances possess superior therapeutic and pharmacological properties that have been investigated in different studies as presented in this comprehensive review. Taxonomic classification, botanical description, and geographical distribution are briefly covered in the first section of this review. In contrast, the phytochemistry, therapeutic properties, and pharmacological features of Gynostemma pentaphyllum are thoroughly explained in the second section. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]