Chemical, biological, morphological, and anatomical exploration of Tripleurospermum monticolum Born. (Asteraceae): A promising medicinal plant.

Diabetes mellitus and Alzheimer's disease are interconnected, with type 2 diabetes raising dementia risk. Decoctions and infusions of Tripleurospermum monticolum (Asteraceae) are traditionally used to treat cough, stomachaches, and fever, while its flowers are commonly brewed into tea to alleviate stomach discomfort. The study examined the inhibitory effects of methanol and aqueous extracts from T. monticolum (capitulum, root, and aerial parts) on key enzymes (acetylcholinesterase, butyrylcholinesterase, α-amylase, and α-glucosidase) and assessed antioxidant activity, as well as the total phenolics, flavonoids, and tannins. Essential oils were analyzed via GC-MS/MS, and morphological, anatomical, and metabolite tests were also performed. In the essential oil of the capitulum, (2Z,8Z)-matricaria ester (64.1%) is the dominant compound, while the aerial part is rich in pentacosane (22.2%) and caryophyllene oxide (13.5%). The root, on the other hand, contains high levels of geranyl isovalerate (30.7%). The aerial part methanol extract showed the highest phenolic (74.686 µg GAE/mg), flavonoid (259.083 µg RE/mg), and tannin (83.000 µg TAE/mg) contents. Root methanol extract had the strongest 2,2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH•) activity (20.855%), while capitulum methanol extract was most effective in 2,2'-Azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) radical cation (ABTS•⁺) scavenging (9.362%). T. monticolum extracts exhibited antibacterial activity with MIC values ranging from 1250 to 2500 µg/mL, and notable anticandidal effects (MIC = 625-2500 µg/mL), particularly against Candida tropicalis. Additionally, the essential oils from the root and flower demonstrated antifungal efficacy, with MIC values of 625 µg/mL and 1250-2500 µg/mL, respectively. The qualitative analysis revealed alkaloids, flavonoids, and tannins in all samples, while lipids were selectively detected in CM, APM, and RM, showing metabolic variability. T. monticolum exhibited promising antioxidant, enzyme inhibitory, antimicrobial, and phytochemical properties, highlighting its potential as a multifunctional medicinal plant, particularly in the context of diabetes and neurodegenerative disease management.