In this work, a decoction (DOe) and a methanolic global extract (MGEOe), obtained with the aerial parts of Oxalis erythrorhiza Gillies ex Hooker et Arnott (Oxalidaceae), were evaluated. The high-resolution liquid chromatography in conjunction with electrospray ionization quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UHPLC-ESI-QTOF-MS) analysis showed forty compounds in MGEOe and twenty-nine in DOe, including flavones, C-glycosyl flavones, isoflavones, fatty acids, terpenes, phenolic acids, and sterols. The antioxidant properties were evaluated by DPPH, TEAC, FRAP, and ILP assays. Both DOe and MGEOe showed stronger antioxidant activities. The anti-inflammatory effects were evaluated by COX inhibition method, where DOe demonstrated a significant inhibitory effect. The cytotoxic effects were evaluated in the tumoral HCT-116 and non-tumoral HBL-100 cell lines, revealing a selective action from DOe and MGOe on cancer cells. DOe was evaluated in an animal model of insulin resistance, which is characterized by alterations in glucose and lipid metabolism, as well as cognitive impairments, including anxiety-like behavior and memory deficits. Male SD rats received sucrose (10% w/v, SUC), a half dilution of DOe (5% w/v) with sucrose (HDOeS) or DOe with sucrose (DOeS) from PND21 to PND61. Then, anxiety-like behavior and spatial memory were assessed using the open field (OF), elevated plus maze (EPM) and the novel object location (NOL) tests, respectively. Serum parameters basal glycemia, total cholesterol (TC) and tryglicerides were measured using commercial kits. The lipid peroxidation was determined in homogenates of cerebral cortex, hippocampus and hypothalamus by TBAR assay. Only HDOeS exhibited lower anxiety-like behavior in OF and improved performance in NOL compared to SUC. Furthermore, DOeS showed reduced serum parameters, while HDOeS presented lower TC levels than SUC. No differences were observed on TBAR assay. The beneficial properties of these preparations could be attributed to the identified metabolites. These findings highlighted O. erythrorhiza as a potential source of compounds to improve human health; however, further research is required to elucidate its mechanisms of action.

Recently, we reported the chemical profile and the hypocholesterolemic effects of a decoction of Tessaria absinthioides (Hook. & Arn.) DC. (Asteraceae). In this study, we evaluated a methanolic extract (METa) instead. Metabolite profiling was conducted using ultra-high-resolution liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray ionization quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UHPLC-ESI-QTOF-MS), identifying thirty compounds, including flavonoids, phenolic acids, fatty acids, and phorbolesters. Antioxidant properties were assessed through 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), Trolox equivalent antioxidant activity (TEAC), ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), and inhibition of lipid peroxidation in erythrocytes (ILP) assays, exhibiting robust antioxidant activity. The in vivo impact of METa on serum lipid parameters and liver X receptors (LXRs) was evaluated in a hypercholesterolemic animal model. After 14 days on a high-fat diet, male rats received either a vehicle (V) or METa₁₀₀, METa₂₀₀ or METa₅₀₀ (100; 200 and 500 mg METa/kg animal, respectively) for an additional two weeks. METa₅₀₀ reduced total cholesterol levels (17.62%; p < 0.05) and all doses increased high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels (METa₁₀₀: 86.27%; METa₂₀₀: 48.37%, and METa₅₀₀: 29.42%; p < 0.0001). However, METa did not alter LXRs expression. The observed antioxidant and hypocholesterolemic properties of METa may be linked to the presence of six di-caffeoylquinic acids. These findings underscore T. absinthioides as a potential candidate for the treatment of metabolic disease.

Larrea ameghinoi Speg., an endemic species of Argentine Patagonia traditionally used in folk medicine to treat fever, stomach disorders, respiratory conditions, back pain, and as an emmenagogue, among others, still remains chemically and biologically underexplored compared to the other four members of the genus. This study aimed to perform a comprehensive metabolomic characterization of methanolic extracts from two populations (EMLaSAO and EMLaMAQ) using ultra-high-resolution liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray ionization quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UHPLC–ESI–QTOF–MS) and to evaluate their antioxidant, antimicrobial, and enzyme-inhibitory activities of relevance to human health. Thirty-three compounds were tentatively identified by extensive UHPLC–MS analysis, including flavones, two major lignans, and oleanane-type triterpenes. Both extracts exhibited high phenolic content (215–239 mg of gallic acid equivalents (GAE)/g extract) and strong free radical scavenging activity, as evidenced by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH, EC₅₀ ≈ 10 μg/mL), ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), and Trolox equivalent antioxidant activity (TEAC) assays. In addition, significant inhibition of butyrylcholinesterase (IC₅₀ ≈ 50 μg extract/mL) and α-glucosidase, together with selective antibacterial activity against methicillin-sensitive and resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MIC = 125 μg extract/mL), were recorded. These findings suggest that L. ameghinoi possesses a distinctive phytochemical composition conferring multitarget bioactivity, differing from other Larrea species dominated by lignans such as nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA) and its derivatives. Overall, this work supports the potential of L. ameghinoi as a novel source of bioactive metabolites for managing oxidative stress-related disorders and opportunistic infections. This warrants future in vivo studies investigating biological activities associated with oxidative stress and their relevance to human health.