Isolation of Bioactive Metabolites from Tephrosia maxima and Tephrosia callophylla: A Phytochemical and Functional Study

Tephrosia maxima and Tephrosia callophylla, two lesser-studied members of the Fabaceae family, were evaluated for their phytochemical, pharmacological, and toxicological profiles in this study. Aqueous extracts from shade-dried leaves were subjected to SEM analysis, hemocompatibility testing, and assays for anti-bacterial, anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and general toxicity. SEM revealed irregular crystalline morphologies, indicative of diverse bioactive constituents. Both extracts exhibited <2% hemolysis, confirming systemic biocompatibility. Antibacterial activity against E. coli and S. aureus was evident, along with potent cytotoxicity against MCF-7 breast cancer cells. Anti-inflammatory and antioxidant assays demonstrated dose-dependent efficacy, with up to 80% nitric oxide inhibition and 90% DPPH radical scavenging. Toxicity studies using brine shrimp and zebrafish embryos showed high viability and minimal adverse effects. These findings highlight the therapeutic promise and biosafety of T. maxima and T. callophylla, supporting their potential for drug discovery and biomedical applications. Further studies are needed to isolate active compounds and elucidate molecular mechanisms.