Chemical Composition, Antioxidant, and Enzyme Inhibitory Activities of Onosma bulbotrichum Extracts

Abstract

Exploring plant-based compounds for potential therapeutic applications necessitates detailed analysis of their chemical properties and bioactivities. This study investigated the chemical composition, antioxidant, and enzyme inhibitory activities of water, methanol, and ethyl acetate extracts of Onosma bulbotrichum. Qualitative (spectrophotometric) and quantitative (chromatographic) techniques are used to quantify phenolics, flavonoids, and individual compounds, while antioxidant activities are assessed using multiple assays, including FRAP, DPPH, and ABTS. Enzyme inhibitory activities are evaluated against AChE, BChE, tyrosinase, alpha-amylase, and alpha-glucosidase. Results indicated that the methanol extract has the highest total phenolic and flavonoid contents, correlating with its superior antioxidant capacities in the FRAP and DPPH assays. The ethyl acetate extract shows significant inhibition of alpha-amylase and alpha-glucosidase, suggesting its richness in less polar bioactive compounds. Correlation analysis highlighted specific phenolics, such as vanillic acid, as major contributors to antioxidant and enzyme-inhibitory activities. The observed bioactivities of the extracts suggest that O. bulbotrichum contains compounds with potential therapeutic benefits, particularly in managing oxidative stress and metabolic disorders. Future studies should focus on isolating and characterizing individual active compounds and exploring their mechanisms of action in more depth.