Phenolic Profile and Antioxidant Capacity of Helichrysum arenarium Extracts: A Comprehensive LC-MS/MS and Antioxidant Analysis

Helichrysum arenarium, commonly known as the immortal or everlasting flower, is a member of the Asteraceae family celebrated for its potential medicinal properties. This study aims to elucidate the phenolic profile and antioxidant properties of H. arenarium using advanced analytical techniques. Methanol extract of H. arenarium was analyzed using Liquid Chromatography coupled with Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) to identify and quantify various phenolic compounds. The phenolic profile revealed high concentrations of luteolin (744.57 mg 100-1 g-1), quercetin (113.13 mg 100-1 g-1), and naringenin (229.60 mg 100-1 g-1), while other compounds were below the limit of quantification. The antioxidant capacity was evaluated using DPPH, ABTS, CUPRAC, and FRAP assays, showing moderate activity compared to standard antioxidants such as BHA, BHT, and Trolox. The methanol extract exhibited DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging activities of 19.14% and 26.91%, respectively, with FRAP and CUPRAC absorbance values of 0.441 and 0.653. These findings highlight the potential of H. arenarium as a source of natural antioxidants and pave the way for future research to optimize its therapeutic applications, especially in combating oxidative stress-related conditions.