Characterization of the Phytochemical Profiles and Biological Activities of Ajuga chamaepitys subsp. chia var. chia and Ajuga bombycina by High-Performance Liquid Chromatography–Electrospray Ionization–Tandem Mass Spectrometry (HPLC–ESI–MSn)

Abstract

This study investigates into the pharmacological potential of three solvent extracts (ethyl acetate, methanol, and water) of two Ajuga species (Ajuga chamaepitys subsp. chia var. chia and Ajuga bombycina) based on their antioxidant activity and enzyme inhibitory effects along with establishing the phytochemical profile. Spectrophotometric and high-performance liquid chromatography–electrospray ionization–tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC–ESI–MSn) were used to determine the total and individual phytocompounds, respectively. Antioxidant potential was assessed using different assays such as DPPH, ABTS, CUPRAC, FRAP, phosphomolybdenum, and metal chelation. Enzyme inhibitory effects were studied against acetylcholinesterase, butyrylcholinesterase, tyrosinase, α-amylase, and α-glucosidase. The aqueous extract of both plants showed better ABTS scavenging, FRAP, and metal chelating activities. The methanol extracts displayed the highest tyrosinase inhibitory and antioxidant activity in the phosphomolybdenum assay while the ethyl acetate extracts of both plants showed better butyrylcholinesterase (BChE), α-amylase, and α-glucosidase inhibition. The total phenolic content was highest in the aqueous extract of A. chamaepitys while the methanolic extract of A. bombycina showed the highest flavonoid content. Identification by HPLC–ESI–MSn revealed the presence of some individual compounds including phenolic acids, flavonoids, iridoid glycosides, phenylethanoid glycosides, and other compounds. To conclude, both A. chamaepitys and A. bombycina can be considered as rich sources of phytocompounds to manage chronic diseases.