Phenolic Profiling and Bioactive Potential of Iris bucharica

Abstract

ABSTRACT: The sustainable sourcing of novel bioactive compounds from natural sources is crucial to the success of the pharmaceutical, food, and cosmetics industries. Iris bucharica Foster (syn. Juno bucharica (Foster) Vved.) is a promising source of novel bioactive molecules, particularly phenolic compounds, which are renowned for their antioxidant properties. In this study, we developed a reliable HPLC-UV-DAD method to identify and quantify phenolic compounds in the leaves and bulbs of I. bucharica, establishing the first set of quality control markers for this species. A total of 21 phenolic compounds were identified in the leaves, with flavonoids isoorientin, guaijaverin, hyperoside, and cosmosiin, the isoflavonoid biochanin A, and the simple phenolic ferulic acid being the most prominent. In comparison, 14 compounds were identified in the bulbs, primarily isoflavonoids, including tectoridin and germanaism B, and flavonoid apigenin. The leaves extracts exhibited significant antioxidant activity, whereas the anti-allergic and anti-inflammatory effects were mild. These findings highlight I. bucharica as a sustainable source of bioactive compounds with potential industrial applications. However, further studies are needed to evaluate bioavailability and in vivo efficacy, as well as to optimise extraction methods to realize its industrial potential fully.