Effects of soil properties and heavy metals with a bioactive compound, acteoside, in Acanthus ebracteatus from three different habitats of eastern part of Thailand

Acanthus ebracteatus Vahl is a mangrove medicinal plant widely distributed along the coastal regions of Thailand. It is recognized as a rich natural source of acteoside, a phenylethanoid glycoside and is discovered in the anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and hepatoprotective activities. However, the information availability regarding the influence of environmental factors, particularly soil properties and heavy metal accumulation, on acteoside biosynthesis is limited. The aims of this study were to investigate the effects of soil physicochemical characteristics and heavy metal concentrations on acteoside content in A. ebracteatus collected from three distinct habitats in eastern Thailand: Chachoengsao, Chonburi, and Rayong. Soil samples were analyzed for pH, organic matter, and macronutrient contents, including nitrogen (N), and phosphorus (P), as well as concentrations of As, Cd, Hg, and Pb using inductively coupled plasma – optical emission spectrometer (ICP–OES). Acteoside levels in methanolic leaf extracts were quantified by high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with diode-array detection (HPLC-DAD). Correlations between soil parameters and acteoside content were evaluated. Based on our searching literature found that an association between soil heavy metal levels and acteoside concentration in A. ebracteatus is demonstrated. The results revealed significant variations in soil composition among the sampling sites. The highest acteoside accumulation was observed in plants from the Chachoengsao habitat, which was characterized by near-neutral soil pH (7.1 ± 0.2) and relatively elevated concentrations of Hg (0.06 ± 0.00 mg kg⁻¹) and Pb (20.07 ± 0.81 mg kg⁻¹). A strong positive correlation was identified between acteoside content and soil Hg and Pb concentrations. These findings indicated that soil mineral composition and heavy metal availability played a crucial role in modulating acteoside biosynthesis in A. ebracteatus. The results provide valuable insights for phytochemical quality control, environmental monitoring, and the sustainable cultivation of this medicinal plant within the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) of Thailand. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT HIGHLIGHTS Soil physicochemical properties and heavy metal levels significantly influence acteoside accumulation in Acanthus ebracteatus across different eastern Thai habitats. Plants from Chachoengsao exhibited the highest acteoside content, strongly correlated with near-neutral soil pH and elevated Hg and Pb concentrations. These findings provide important insights for phytochemical quality control and support sustainable cultivation strategies for medicinal mangrove plants in Thailand’s Eastern Economic Corridor.