Helianthemum oelandicum subsp. incanum and Fumana thymifolia: Characterization of LC-ESI-QTOF-MS profiles and their biological activities based on plant parts and extraction solvents

Abstract

The members of the genera Helianthemum and Fumana offer great potential for ethnobotanical purposes, including gastrointestinal and reproductive problems. In the current study, we focused on the chemical profile and biological properties of Helianthemum oelandicum subsp. incanum and Fumana thymifolia extracts. The extracts from the aerial parts and roots of these plants, which were obtained using n-hexane, ethyl acetate, methanol, and water, were examined. Additionally, we determined the chemical composition of the extracts through liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-quadrupole time-of-flight-mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-QTOF-MS) and assessed their antioxidant activity using different assays. Moreover, the study involved the evaluation of acetylcholinesterase (AChE), butrycholinesterase (BChE), tyrosinase, amylase, and glucosidase activities in all the extracts. In general, benzoic acid derivatives were the major phenolic acids in both plants. Regarding antioxidant properties. In terms of H. oelandicum subsp. incanum, the aerial part methanol extract displayed the highest TPC, as a result of the highest free radical scavenging activity (DPPH: 628.93 mg TE/g and ABTS: 910.56 mg TE/g). Concerning the inhibitory effects, among H. oelandicum subsp. incanum extracts, the ethyl acetate extract of aerial parts demonstrated the highest AChE inhibition (2.44 mg GALAE/g), with the highest value found in the n-hexane extract of the roots recorded at 2.74 mg GALAE/g. In terms of tyrosinase inhibition, the methanol extracts were more active than other extracts for both plants and their parts. Taken together, these results suggest that H. oelandicum subsp. incanum and F. thymifolia may be useful for potential applications in neuroprotection, skin, and diabetes.