The genus Eryngium (Apiaceae Lindley) includes over 250 species distributed worldwide. In Michoacán, Mexico, 22 species have been recorded, among them E. beecheyanum (EB), E. heterophyllum (EH), and E. mexiae (EM), which are commonly used in traditional medicine. However, our understanding of their biology and chemical composition remains limited. This study evaluated the phytochemical profile, as well as the antioxidant and hypoglycemic activities of leaves and roots from these three wild species. Flavonoids, phenolic compounds, and sterols were analyzed using high-performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC). Antioxidant activity was assessed in vitro using ABTS·+ and DPPH· assays, while antihyperglycemic activity was determined by α-glucosidase inhibition. Six metabolites were detected across all species, with organ-dependent variation. In the leaves, EB showed a high rutin content (241.3 µg/mL), EM contained catechin (137.3 µg/mL), and EH exhibited β sitosterol (315.9 µg/mL). Both leaves and roots of all species showed notable antioxidant activity. EB leaves exhibited inhibition rates of 69.5% and 85.5% in ABTS•+ and DPPH• assays, respectively (IC₅₀ = 22 and 23.47 µg/mL). EH roots showed higher activity, reaching 89.4% and 78.2% inhibition (IC₅₀ = 21.8 and 20.72 µg/mL). Conversely, EM organs exhibited relatively lower radical scavenging capacities; however, EM leaves showed the highest α-glucosidase inhibition (49.1%). Overall, these results suggest that roots generally possess stronger antioxidant potential than leaves, whereas EM leaves stand out for their enzymatic inhibitory activity. These findings highlight the diverse phytochemical and bioactive profiles of E. beecheyanum, E. heterophyllum, and E. mexiae.

Mexican mistletoe (Psittacanthus calyculatus) is an ecologically and pharmacologically relevant hemiparasitic plant whose phytochemical composition varies according to host, organ, and processing. This study analyzed the pericarp, flower, leaf, and peduncle in fresh and freeze-dried conditions. The samples were collected from Forestiera phillyreoides and Mimosa sp. High-performance thin-layer chromatography revealed the presence of malvidin-3-O-glucoside (27.43 ± 1.88 mg/g dry weight [DW]) in freeze-dried pericarps, cyanidin-3-O-glucoside (26.55 ± 1.19 mg/g DW) in freeze-dried flowers, and rutin (5.39 ± 1.24 mg/g DW) in freeze-dried leaves collected from Mimosa sp. Gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC-MS) confirmed the presence of gallic acid (40.40 ± 0.228 mg/g DW in freeze-dried pericarps of Mimosa sp.), which was 42.9% higher than the amount found in F. phillyreoides plants. Regarding antioxidant activity, freeze-dried mistletoe pericarps collected from Mimosa sp. exhibited the highest capacity (85.7–94.9% DPPH· and ABTS·⁺ inhibition, respectively). For α-glucosidase inhibition, the half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀) values of freeze-dried flowers and pericarps were low (84–85 μg/mL), comparable to acarbose (62 μg/mL). Freeze-drying increased metabolite concentration by up to 54% for gallic acid in the pericarp of plants collected from Mimosa sp. and enhanced bioactivity. Overall, Mexican mistletoe is established as a nutraceutical source with therapeutic potential and sustainable use value.