Phytochemical Profiling of Inula caspica and Inula britannica Using GC-MS and HPLC-UV-MS: Biotechnological and Therapeutic Insights

Inula caspica F.K. Blum ex Ledeb and Inula britannica L. (Asteraceae) are medicinal plants used in traditional medicine for their therapeutic effects. Despite this, detailed phytochemical studies on these species are scarce, especially concerning their polyphenolic compounds and other bioactive constituents.

This study aimed to conduct a comprehensive phytochemical analysis of ethanol extracts from I. caspica and I. britannica using advanced chromatographic and spectrometric methods, with the goal of assessing their potential for therapeutic and biotechnological applications.

Aerial parts of both species were collected in Kazakhstan and extracted with 70% ethanol via ultrasound-assisted and percolation methods. Extracts were analyzed using Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) for volatile and semi-volatile compounds, and High-Performance Liquid Chromatography coupled with UV and Mass Spectrometry detection (HPLC-UVMS) for phenolic acids and flavonoids.

GC-MS analysis identified 34 compounds across three extracts, including fatty acids, sesquiterpene lactones, and bioactive aldehydes with reported anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and cytotoxic effects. HPLC-UV-MS profiling revealed 10–11 phenolic constituents, notably chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid, rutin, quercetin, cinaroside, luteolin, and kaempferol. Comparative extraction showed both ultrasonic and percolation techniques efficiently recovered phenolics, with chlorogenic acid and cinaroside being dominant.

The phytochemical diversity of I. caspica and I. britannica underscores their value as sources of biologically active metabolites. Their rich polyphenolic and flavonoid composition support traditional uses and highlights promising avenues for pharmaceutical and nutraceutical development. Further in vivo validation and standardization are recommended.