The genus Actiniopteris has been extensively investigated for its diverse phytochemical constituents. Actiniopteris radiata, a species widely distributed in Pakistan and southern India, has been subjected to extractions with methanol, ethanol, aqueous, and petroleum ether solvents. These studies consistently reveal the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, phenols, terpenoids, tannins, saponins, glycosides, and cardiac glycosides, with variations depending on the solvent used. Unique metabolites such as resins and betacyanins have also been reported, highlighting the biochemical richness of this fern. Methanol extracts are particularly rich in alkaloids, flavonoids, and tannins, while ethanol enhances the yield of glycosides and cardiac glycosides. Petroleum ether extractions, in contrast, largely emphasize terpenoids and steroids. These findings point to A. radiata as a chemically versatile species with significant pharmacological promise.

Several Cheilanthes species from the Western Ghats of India demonstrate a broad spectrum of bioactive compounds. Methanol extracts from C. farinosa, C. anceps, C. tenuifolia, and C. albomarginata consistently yield alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, phenolic compounds, steroids, and triterpenoids. In addition, anthraquinones, amino acids, and reducing sugars have been detected, indicating substantial metabolic diversity. The occurrence of triterpenoids and anthraquinones in C. albomarginata and C. anceps suggests species-specific phytochemical signatures. Cheilanthes bicolor, analyzed using a wide range of solvents, revealed carbohydrates, proteins, phenols, and tannins as major groups. Collectively, Cheilanthes exhibits strong phytochemical potential, particularly for compounds with antioxidant, antimicrobial and anticancer properties.

The golden fern Pityrogramma calomelanos has been studied for its rich phytochemical profile. Aqueous and ethanol extracts of fronds, stems, and rhizomes from Kanyakumari indicate the presence of tannins, flavonoids, phenols, quinones, coumarins, terpenoids, steroids, saponins, and glycosides. Notably, betacyanin, a pigment rarely reported in higher plants, was consistently observed, suggesting potential applications in natural dye production and antioxidative therapeutics. The phytochemical uniformity across solvents indicates metabolic stability in this genus.

Phytochemistry of Pteris

The genus Pteris represents one of the most extensively explored groups within Pteridaceae. Methanol extracts from P. confusa, P. vittata, P. argyreae, P. biaurita, P. multiaurita, and P. cretica consistently reveal steroids, alkaloids, flavonoids, phenols, tannins, triterpenoids, saponins, amino acids, and sugars. Regional studies further confirm these results; for instance, P. biaurita from North Bengal was reported to contain cardiac glycosides and cholesterol in addition to the usual classes of metabolites. Comparative analyses show that P. vittata and P. biaurita exhibit broader chemical diversity than P. multiaurita and P. argyreae. Importantly, P. cretica has been found to harbor polyphenols and saponins in both leaves and rhizomes, supporting its ethnomedicinal applications in Iran.

Species of Adiantum, such as A. lunulatum and A. venustum, are chemically versatile and widely utilized in traditional medicine. Methanol and aqueous extracts reveal tannins, saponins, flavonoids, steroids, terpenoids, proteins, carbohydrates, and xanthoproteins. Solvent variation strongly influences the results: aqueous extractions highlight carbohydrates and phenols, while ethanol and methanol increase yields of flavonoids, steroids, and glycosides. The repeated detection of phlobatannins, glycosides, and volatile oils across studies suggests strong pharmacological potential, particularly in antimicrobial and antioxidant therapy.

Hemionitis arifolia, a species native to the Western Ghats, has been subjected to extensive phytochemical analysis with solvents ranging from methanol to petroleum ether. Major bioactive compounds include phenols, flavonoids, glycosides, tannins, steroids, carbohydrates, saponins, and coumarins. Methanol and ethanol are particularly effective in extracting a broad range of secondary metabolites. Comparative solvent-based extractions highlight the presence of unique compounds such as xanthoproteins and cardiac glycosides, expanding the therapeutic scope of this fern.

Mangrove-associated ferns like Acrostichum aureum and aquatic forms such as Ceratopteris thalictroides represent distinct phytochemical reservoirs. A. aureum has been shown to contain phenols, proteins, glycosides, steroids, saponins, terpenoids, and flavonoids, depending on solvent polarity. C. thalictroides, meanwhile, demonstrates an exceptionally broad profile including steroids, quinones, anthraquinones, coumarins, catechins, glycosides, xanthoproteins, tannins, and sugars. These findings highlight the metabolic adaptability of aquatic and semi-aquatic Pteridaceae members.

Core metabolites such as alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, phenols, terpenoids and saponins are consistently reported across nearly all genera. Unique metabolites** include betacyanin in Pityrogramma, anthraquinones in Ceratopteris, and cholesterol in Pteris biaurita. Solvent influence is clear, with methanol and ethanol consistently yielding richer phytochemical profiles compared to aqueous and petroleum ether extractions. Geographical variation also plays a role, as species from Western Ghats, Pakistan, Iran, and North Bengal show slight differences in phytochemical composition.

These phytochemical findings strongly support the ethnomedicinal uses of Pteridaceae species, particularly in antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer applications. However, most studies remain preliminary, limited to qualitative screening. Few efforts have been made to isolate, characterize, or validate individual compounds through bioassays or clinical trials. Future research should adopt advanced metabolomic and biotechnological approaches to validate the therapeutic claims associated with Pteridaceae.