Pluchea indica (Indian Marsh Fleabane)

Pluchea indica leaves contain notable bioactive compounds rather than serving as a significant macronutrient source. Key phytochemicals include: **Flavonoids** – quercetin (approximately 2.5–6.0 mg/g dry weight), myricetin, and kaempferol glycosides, which contribute strong antioxidant capacity (DPPH IC50 values reported around 30–80 µg/mL for crude extracts). **Terpenoids** – β-caryophyllene (~0.5–1.2% of essential oil fraction), limonene (~0.3–0.8%), δ-cadinene (~0.2–0.6%), and α-humulene in trace amounts. **Thiophene derivatives** – characteristic sulfur-containing compounds including 5-(4-hydroxybut-1-ynyl)-2,2'-bithiophene, which are relatively unique to this genus. **Phenolic acids** – chlorogenic acid (~1.0–3.5 mg/g dry weight) and caffeic acid derivatives contributing to total phenolic content of approximately 25–55 mg GAE/g dry weight. **Minerals** – leaves contain moderate levels of potassium (~15–22 mg/g dry weight), calcium (~8–14 mg/g), magnesium (~3–6 mg/g), iron (~0.15–0.40 mg/g), and zinc (~0.03–0.06 mg/g), though values vary significantly with soil and growing conditions. **Proximate composition (per 100 g fresh leaves, approximate):** moisture 75–82%, crude protein 3.5–5.5 g, crude fiber 5–9 g, fat 0.5–1.2 g, ash 1.5–2.8 g, and carbohydrates 8–14 g. Vitamin C content is estimated at 15–35 mg/100 g fresh weight. **Bioavailability notes:** Quercetin glycosides in P. indica have moderate oral bioavailability (~5–10% absorption), enhanced by co-consumption with dietary fats. β-Caryophyllene is lipophilic with relatively higher oral bioavailability among terpenes (~12–20% estimated). Thiophene derivatives are photosensitive and may degrade under prolonged UV exposure. Traditional preparation as a hot tea or decoction likely improves extraction of polar phenolics and flavonoid glycosides but may reduce volatile terpenoid content. Iron bioavailability may be partially inhibited by the high phenolic content through chelation.