First Insights Into the LC‐HRMS Profiling and Biological Activities of Crocus graveolens

TL;DR

This study is the first to analyze the chemical composition and biological effects of Crocus graveolens, finding rutin as a key compound and showing antioxidant and antimicrobial properties.

Contribution

The first comprehensive phytochemical and biological analysis of Crocus graveolens using LC-HRMS and in vitro assays.

Findings

Rutin was identified as the major compound in Crocus graveolens extract.

The extract showed moderate antioxidant activity and inhibited acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase.

The extract exhibited antimicrobial effects against Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, and Candida albicans.

Abstract

There are documented reports of 103 different Crocus species, commonly known as saffron, distributed across Türkiye. Many of these species have been used not only as spices but also in the treatment or prevention of various diseases. However, the majority of research has focused only on
Crocus sativus
L., and only a few other members of the genus have been investigated for their chemical constituents and biological properties. Crocus graveolens Boiss. & Reut. is one of those species used against gynecological diseases through oral administration. This is the first report regarding phytochemicals by LC‐HRMS analysis and in vitro biological activities of the species. Accordingly, a total of 33 different secondary metabolites were detected in varying quantities. The major compound was determined as rutin (162.808 ± 4.5 μg/g extract). Total phenolic content (32.79 ± 1.30 μg PEs/mg extract) and total flavonoid content (40.29 ± 0.24 μg QEs/mg) were calculated. The antioxidant activity of the extract was evaluated by three different assays, namely, DPPH free and ABTS cation radical scavenging and CUPRAC activity methods, and moderate activity was demonstrated compared to the standards. The extract inhibited acetylcholinesterase with 30.88% ± 1.51% and butyrylcholinesterase with 61.22% ± 0.47% at a 200 μg/mL concentration. Besides, the extract was effective against
Staphylococcus aureus
,
Staphylococcus epidermidis
, and
Candida albicans
strains. This study features a new contribution to Crocus research in Türkiye.

This study reports the first comprehensive analysis of Crocus graveolens Boiss. & Reut. using LC‐HRMS, identifying 33 secondary metabolites, with rutin as the major compound (162.808 ± 4.5 μg/g extract). The extract showed moderate antioxidant activity and effectively inhibited acetylcholinesterase (30.88% ± 1.51%) and butyrylcholinesterase (61.22% ± 0.47%) activities, while also exhibiting antimicrobial effects against
Staphylococcus aureus
,
Staphylococcus epidermidis
, and
Candida albicans
. This research represents a new contribution to Crocus studies in Turkiye.

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