Medicinal Plant Research 2024, Vol.14, No.2, 117-125 http://hortherbpublisher.com/index.php/mpr 118 (Agarwal et al., 2018). Additionally, the protein content is substantial, which is essential for various bodily functions, including muscle repair and enzyme production (Agarwal et al., 2018). The fat content, although lower compared to carbohydrates and proteins, still contributes to the overall nutritional profile of the plant (Agarwal et al., 2018). 2.2 Micronutrients (vitamins and minerals) Marsilea quadrifolia also contains various micronutrients, including vitamins and minerals, which are crucial for maintaining overall health. The plant is known to have a diverse chemical composition that includes phenolic compounds, flavonoids, and other essential micronutrients (Subramanian et al., 2023). These compounds not only contribute to the plant's nutritional value but also offer antioxidant properties, which help in combating oxidative stress and maintaining cellular health (Zhang et al., 2016; Subramanian et al., 2023). However, specific details on the exact vitamins and minerals present in Marsilea quadrifoliaare limited and warrant further investigation. 2.3 Phytochemicals contributing to nutritional value The phytochemical profile of Marsilea quadrifolia is extensive and includes a variety of bioactive compounds that enhance its nutritional and medicinal properties. Key phytochemicals identified in the plant include tannins, saponins, flavonoids, steroids, terpenoids, alkaloids, and phenolic compounds (Bhadra et al., 2012; Gopalakrishnan and Udayakumar, 2017). These compounds are known for their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective properties, which contribute to the plant's therapeutic potential (Bhadra et al., 2012; Gopalakrishnan and Udayakumar, 2017; Subramanian et al., 2023). Tannins and Saponins: These compounds are present in both the leaf and stem extracts of Marsilea quadrifolia and are known for their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties (Gopalakrishnan and Udayakumar, 2017). Flavonoids and Phenolic Compounds: These are abundant in the plant and are primarily responsible for its strong antioxidant activities. Quercetin, a type of flavonoid found in Marsilea quadrifolia, has been shown to have significant antioxidant properties both in vitro and in vivo (Zhang et al., 2016; Subramanian et al., 2023). Alkaloids and Steroids: These phytochemicals contribute to the plant's medicinal properties, including its potential use in managing neurological disorders and diabetes (Bhadra et al., 2012; Bhanukiran et al., 2023; Subramanian et al., 2023). Marsilea quadrifolia is a nutritionally rich plant with a diverse array of macronutrients, micronutrients, and phytochemicals. Its high carbohydrate and protein content, along with the presence of various bioactive compounds, make it a valuable addition to the diet and a potential source of therapeutic agents. Further research is needed to fully elucidate the specific vitamins and minerals present in the plant and to explore its full medicinal potential. 3 Medicinal Properties of Marsilea quadrifolia 3.1 Antioxidant properties Marsilea quadrifolia has demonstrated significant antioxidant properties in various studies. The ethanolic extract of the whole plant has been shown to possess strong antioxidant potential, with IC50 values reported in multiple assays (Rawat et al., 2012; Bhanukiran et al., 2022). Additionally, the methanolic extracts of Marsilea quadrifolia leaves have been found to contain high levels of total phenolic content (16.48 ± 0.4 mg/g of gallic acid equivalent) and total flavonoid content (96.33 ± 4.4 mg/g of rutin equivalent), which contribute to its antioxidant activity. The IC50 value of the methanolic extract in the DPPH assay was found to be 258.55 µg/ml, indicating its efficacy in scavenging free radicals (Tripathy et al., 2023). Furthermore, silver nanoparticles synthesized using Marsilea quadrifolia extract exhibited strong antioxidant activities, surpassing those of the leaf extract alone (Figure 1) (Ashwini et al., 2012; Ishwarya et al., 2021). 3.2 Anti-inflammatory effects While the provided data does not explicitly detail the anti-inflammatory effects of Marsilea quadrifolia, the presence of bioactive compounds such as flavonoids, phenolics, and terpenoids in the plant suggests potential anti-inflammatory properties. These compounds are known for their roles in reducing inflammation and oxidative
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