UHPLC‐MS/MS and GC‐MS Metabolic Profiling of a Medicinal Flourensia fiebrigii Chemotype

VERNI, MARÍA CECILIA; SIMÃO MATOS, TAYNARA; ALBERTO, MARÍA ROSA; BLÁZQUEZ, MARÍA AMPARO; SUSSULINI, ALESSANDRA; ARENA, MARIO EDUARDO; CARTAGENA, ELENA

Chemistry and Biodiversity

WILEY-V C H VERLAG GMBH

Año: 2024

1612-1872

The comparative metabolic profiling and their biological properties of eight extracts obtained from diverse parts (leaves, flowers, roots) of the medicinal plant Flourensia fiebrigii S.F. Blake, a chemotype growing in highland areas (2750 m a.s.l.) of northwest Argentina, were investigated. The extracts were analysed by GC-MS and UHPLC-MS/MS. GC-MS analysis revealed the presence of encecalin (relative content: 24.86%) in ethereal flower extract (EF) and this benzopyran (5.93%) together sitosterol (11.35%) in the bioactive ethereal leaf exudate (ELE). By UHPLC-MS/MS the main compounds identified in both samples were: limocitrin, (22.31%), (2Z)-4,6-dihydroxy-2-[(4-hydroxy-3,5-dimethoxyphenyl)methylidene]-1-benzofuran-3-one (21.31%), isobavachin (14.47%), naringenin, (13.50%), and sternbin, (12.49%). Phytocomplexes derived from aerial parts exhibited significant activity against biofilm production of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus, reaching inhibitions of 74.7–99.9% with ELE (50 µg/mL). Notably, the extracts did not affect nutraceutical and environmental bacteria, suggesting a selective activity. ELE also showed the highest reactive species scavenging ability. This study provides valuable insights into the potential applications of this chemotype.