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Andrographolide is important specialized metabolites of Andrographis paniculata (Acanthaceae) which is used to treat wide array of disorders such as cancer, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis. An attempt was made to examine the potential of seaweed (Sargassum wightii Greville) on growth, andrographolide content and antioxidant activity in A. paniculata. Different concentrations (5%, 10%, 15% and 20%) of seaweed liquid extract (SLE) were applied through foliar application to A. paniculata (Burm. f.) Nees seedlings. Among the various concentrations, 10% of SLE exhibited a maximum increase in growth parameters such as plant height (113%), leaf surface area (129%), number of leaves and branch by 134% and 118%, fresh weight (178%) and dry weight (220%). Similarly, biochemical constituents such as starch (132%), glucose (122%), protein (177%) and total chlorophyll (213%) were also found to be enhanced in leaves of those plants which received 10% of SLE. A twofold (34.92 mg g−1) increased synthesis of andrographolide was noticed in 10% methanolic SLE treated plants. Similarly, antioxidant activity was increased in 10% methanolic SLE which accounted for 53.94 μg/ml DPPH activity and 44.94% inhibition of nitric oxide activity. The present study suggested that SLE of S. wightii could be a promising biostimulant which can be attributed to the presence of growth hormones like cytokinin (3.9 mg L−1), auxin (3.0 mg L−1) and gibberellin (2.2 mg L−1) and nutrients such as Na (45.47 mg L−1), Mg (75.12 mg L−1), P (4.03 mg L−1), K (58.4 mg L−1), Ca (0.432 mg L−1), Fe (0.85 mg L−1), Cu (0.346 mg L−1), Mb (0.0004 mg L−1) and N (2.56%) and also pave the way for sustainable environment approach in herbal cultivation.

Background Peel is one of the major by-products in fruit processing industry. Fruit products (non-edible parts) are also considered as waste products and often discarded in the environment. Fruit peels are now serving as one of the primary sources for isolation and extraction of secondary metabolites in pharmaceutical industry. The present investigation was carried out to screen the phytochemical constituents and HPTLC analysis of peel extracts of Punica granatum and Citrus aurantifolia and their antidiabetic potential in alloxan-induced diabetic rats. Results Among the different solvent extracts, methanol solvent extract was found to possess more amounts of secondary metabolites. In addition, HPTLC analysis of the plant samples revealed the presence of 13 peaks in both the plants by using gallic acid as marker. Different biochemical parameters such as blood glucose, cholesterol, protein, urea, creatinine, and triglycerides level were subjected for estimation by collecting the blood samples from the treated diabetic rats after 21 days. A sharp decline in blood glucose, cholesterol, triglycerides, creatinine, and urea level was noticed when methanolic extracts of Punica granatum and Citrus aurantifolia were given to experimental animals when compared with negative control. However, protein and weight of the animal were found to be enhanced when treated with methanolic extracts of both the plants. Conclusion It can be concluded that fruit peels of both the plants exhibited antidiabetic potential on alloxan-induced diabetic rats which can be attributed to wide range of active pool of secondary metabolites. Further, screening and isolation of secondary metabolites along with their mode of action is required for effective use of plant-based drugs as antihyperglycemic agent. Graphical abstract