Phenolic composition, cholinesterase inhibition, and in silico study of traditional medicinal plants from Bosnia And Herzegovina

Plant species with strong antioxidant activity used in traditional medicine of B&H-<i>Sambucus nigra</i>, <i>Filipendula vulgaris</i>, <i>Helichrysum italicum</i>, <i>Epilobium angustifolium</i>, <i>Crataegus rhipidophylla</i>, <i>Thymus serpyllum</i>, <i>Vaccinium myrtillus</i>, <i>Symphytum officinale</i>, <i>Corylus avellana</i>, and <i>Rubus fruticosus</i>-were analysed for their phenolic profiles and cholinesterase inhibitory activity. The HPLC-DAD analysis revealed the highest concentration of phenolic acids in <i>S. officinale</i> extract. Catechin, rutin, and quercetin were identified in the majority of extracts. Rutin was most abundant, especially in <i>S. nigra</i> flowers (9.39 mg/g DW). AChE and BChE inhibition was determined spectrophotometrically. All extracts showed activity, with AChE IC₅₀ ranging from 0.08 mg/mL (<i>V. myrtillus</i>) to 8.31 mg/mL (<i>H. italicum</i>), and BChE from 5.35 mg/mL (<i>T. serpyllum</i>) to 13.26 mg/mL (<i>C. rhipidophylla</i>). These findings highlight the neuroprotective potential of B&H medicinal plants, with molecular docking showing phenolics like rosmarinic acid and rutin inhibit cholinesterases. Merging traditional medicinal knowledge and molecular insights offers a novel path for discovery.