Exploring hidden natural resources for bioactive compounds: Focused chemical and biological studies on some Anthemis species

The present study investigated the phytochemical composition and biological activities of extracts from the aerial parts of Anthemis austriaca, A. cretica subsp. albida, A. pauciloba, A. tinctoria and A. wiedemanniana. About 150 compounds belonging to hydroxybenzoic acids, hydroxycinnamic acids, phenylethanoid glycosides, acylquinic acids, acylhexaric acids, flavonoids and sesquiterpene lactones were identified. A. tinctoria also displayed significant antiradical activity, obtained from its MeOH and 70 % MeOH extracts. EtOAc and MeOH extracts of A. pauciloba revealed the highest anti-acetylcholinesterase activity (3.51 and 3.50 mg GALAE/g; p > 0.05). Extracts had a higher affinity towards human carbonic anhydrase isoenzymes I (CAI) than CAII, and the best inhibition effect was exerted by EtOAc extract of A. wiedemanniana a (IC50 7.02 μg/mL). Network pharmacology analysis identified IL6 and TNFα as key targets of these plant-derived molecules, underscoring their multi-target potential. Anthemis extracts' efficacy in blunting LPS-induced IL6 and TNFα gene expression in isolated mouse colon has confirmed these predictions. Molecular docking studies further confirmed that these compounds interact with multiple transcription factors (TFs), suggesting broad pharmacological activity. These results indicated that the five Anthemis species could be a promising source of bioactive molecules.