Comparative analysis of key phytochemicals and biological activities of Tartary buckwheat and Flos Sophorae Immaturus

Flavonoids such as rutin, quercetin, and kaempferol are the major bioactive compounds in Tartary buckwheat (TB) and Flos Sophorae Immaturus (FSI), contributing to various health benefits such as anti-cancer, antioxidant, antiviral, antithrombotic, analgesic, anti-aging, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and anti-allergic. This study developed a method to detect and identify characteristic compounds in Tartary buckwheat extracts and compared the key ingredients and biological activities of Tartary buckwheat and Flos Sophorae Immaturus. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) identified major components by comparing their chromatographic profiles with standard compounds. Furthermore, the biological activities, including antioxidant capacity, α-glucosidase inhibition, lipase inhibition, and cytoprotective effects against alcohol-induced liver injury in vitro, were systematically evaluated. The results showed that quercetin-3-rutinoside-7-glucoside was identified as the characteristic compound of Tartary buckwheat, distinguishing it from Flos Sophorae Immaturus. While antioxidant activities were similar, Tartary buckwheat extract showed significantly stronger α-glucosidase and lipase inhibitory activities and enhanced cytoprotective effects against alcohol-induced liver injury. These findings highlight the superior hypoglycemic, hypolipidemic, and hepatoprotective effects of Tartary buckwheat extract and its key flavonoid, quercetin-3-rutinoside-7-glucoside (QRG), compared to Flos Sophorae Immaturus extract, suggesting their potential for functional foods or therapeutic applications targeting metabolic disorders and liver protection. Further research should explore their mechanisms and validate efficacy in vivo and potential applications in Tartary Buckwheat and Flos Sophorae Immaturus based functional foods and nutraceuticals.