Chemical profile and biological properties of the endemic Turkish species Phyllocara aucheri

Abstract The aim of the present study is the phytochemical analysis of the aerial parts of Phyllocara aucheri (Boraginaceae), which is an endemic plant of Turkey. The phytochemical profile of the studied species was determined through LC-MS method. Sixteen secondary metabolites were identified, among which thirteen phenolic constituents, such as quercetin and kaempferol glycosides and caffeic acid derivatives, as well as three pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs) in the form of bases and N-oxides (PANOs) (europine, heliotrine and heliotrine N-oxide). The methanol extract of the aerial parts was assayed for its antioxidant properties, using free radical scavenging (DPPH•, ABTS•+), reducing power (FRAP, CUPRAC), phosphomolybdenum and metal chelating assays, while it has been also evaluated for in vitro enzyme inhibition against cholinesterases, α-amylase and α-glucosidase, exhibiting an interesting biological profile.