Unveiling the Phytochemical Profiling by Chromatographic and Spectrometric Techniques and the Bioactive Potential of Rumex vesicarius L.

Abstract This study comprehensively analyzed the phytochemical profile, antioxidant activity, and enzyme-inhibitory properties of Rumex vesicarius ( R. vesicarius ) extracts using advanced food analytical methods. The methanol extract was profiled using high-performance liquid chromatography with diode array detector (HPLC–DAD), identifying 16 phenolic compounds, with cynarin (26.06 mg/g dry weight extract) as the most abundant compound, revealed for the first time in this species. The hexane extract was assessed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC–MS), revealing 12 compounds, predominantly linoleic acid (46.09%). Mineral content was measured using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), showing high concentrations of iron (497.03 mg/L) and calcium (3.31%). The methanol extract exhibited strong antioxidant activity, with IC 50 values of 47.25 µg/mL (DPPH assay) and 26.98 µg/mL (ABTS assay) and an A 0.5 value of 33.76 µg/mL in the reducing power assay. The hexane extract exhibited significant enzyme-inhibitory activity against α-amylase (IC 50 = 33.80 µg/mL) and α-glucosidase (IC 50 = 154.19 µg/mL). Additionally, ADME/T (absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, and toxicity) analysis of the HPLC–DAD-detected compounds indicated favorable drug-likeness and pharmacokinetic properties. These findings underline the promise of R. vesicarius as a rich source of bioactive compounds with antioxidant and antidiabetic properties, making it a promising candidate for further research in functional foods. The use of robust analytical methods, including HPLC–DAD, GC–MS, and ICP-MS, ensures reliable and reproducible results, aligning with the standards of food analytical methodologies.