Evaluation of phytochemical profiling, antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of <i>Cionura erecta</i> latex: the first report of the therapeutic potential of a natural exudate

This study provides the first detailed evaluation of C. erecta latex, an uncharacterised exudate of the Apocynaceae family, focusing on its phytochemical composition and bioactivity. HPLC analysis revealed nine phenolic compounds, mainly sinapic acid (4876.2 µg/g), ferulic acid (902.6 µg/g), and epicatechin (386.5 µg/g). Although the total phenolic content was relatively low (2.27 ± 4.2 mg GAE/g), DPPH assay indicated moderate antioxidant activity (IC50 = 114 µg/mL), suggesting contributions from other bioactive constituents. Volatile profiling via HS-SPME-GC-MS and solvent-assisted GC–MS identified compounds such as p-cymene (14.05%), 2-hexanol (12.52%), and kaur-16-ene (72.06%). The latex exhibited antimicrobial activity against bacteria and yeasts, with MIC values ranging from 62.5 to 250 µg/mL, showing higher effectiveness against Acinetobacter baumannii, Candida parapsilosis, and Candida glabrata. Overall, the findings highlight C. erecta latex as a phenol- and terpenoid-rich natural product with promising antioxidant and antimicrobial potential, supporting its traditional dermatological use and future pharmaceutical relevance.