Chemical profiles and pharmacological properties of two Anthemis species: Anthemis tinctoria var. pallida and A. cretica subsp. tenuiloba

Members of Anthemis genus are extensively used in the Turkish folk medicine to treat various ailments. In this present study, the ethyl acetate, methanolic and aqueous extracts of aerial the parts of Anthemis tinctoria var. pallida (ATP) and A. cretica subsp. tenuiloba (ACT) growing in Turkey were investigated for their antioxidant and key enzyme inhibitory potentials. Total phenolic and flavonoid contents were determined using colorimetric methods.

The antioxidant capacities of the studied extracts were evaluated using different assays including free radical scavenging, reducing power, phosphomolybdenum, and metal chelating. Additionally, we evaluated the putative protective effects of Anthemis extracts on ‘Cortical Spreading Depression’ (CSD) paradigm, on rat cortex specimens treated with an excitotoxicity stimulus. To this regard, we assayed extract capability in blunting CSD-induced cortex 5-HT decrease. All extracts showed remarkable antioxidant activities, with the MeOH extracts being superior to the others (DPPH: 407.07 ± 8.88 and ABTS: 320.11 ± 5.67 mg TE/g). Enzyme inhibition was tested on AChE, BChE, α-amylase, α-glucosidase, and tyrosinase. Only the EtOAc and MeOH extracts were potent against AChE and BChE. The extracts showed remarkable enzyme inhibitory effects against tyrosinase and α-glucosidase, and modest activity against α-amylase. Finally, in agreement with the evaluation of antioxidant activity, Anthemis MeOH extracts revealed the most effective in restoring physiological 5-HT level, in cortex specimens subjected to an excitotoxic stimulus.

The results highlighted on the biological potential of the studied Anthemis species and warrant for further studies to explore their potential use in phytomedicines and cosmetics.