Comparison of chemical composition, nematicidal activity and acetylcholinesterase inhibition with in silico mechanistic insights of Hedychium flavescens essential oils and extracts from aerial parts and rhizomes

Hedychium flavescens is recognized for its medicinal and pesticidal potential, yet its comprehensive phytochemical profile and bioactivity against nematodes remain underexplored. This study offers a comparative analysis of the chemical composition, nematicidal activity and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibition of essential oils (EOs) and extracts from the plant’s aerial and rhizome parts. GC-MS analysis identified significant chemical variation between the parts, with monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes predominating in both EOs. The major compounds were α-pinene, β-pinene, 1,8-cineole, linalool, and E-caryophyllene. On the other side, the extracts were dominated by fatty acids, sterols, and diterpenoids. Nematicidal activity was evaluated against Meloidogyne incognita, with rhizome EO showing higher potency (76% mortality at 1 μL/mL). Aerial and rhizome EOs exhibited significant nematode egg hatching inhibition, with 77.59–89.66% inhibition at 1000 μg/mL after 96 h of exposure. In-vitro AChE inhibition assays demonstrated potential neuroprotective properties in terms of IC50 values with rhizome EO showing best inhibition activity (IC50 = 181.03 μg/mL). Additionally, in silico docking studies provided insights into the mechanism of action of key compounds on AChE. The findings support H. flavescens as a natural alternative to synthetic nematicides and AChE inhibitors. Further studies are needed to explore its broader applications.