This study focuses on the medicinal plant Gnaphalium kasachstanicum and investigation of its ecology and habitat, phytochemical composition, and medicinal values. G. kasachstanicum was prevalent in the Tarbagatai Mountains, characterized by a diverse flora and a continental climate. The plant’s anatomical features include woolly leaves and small flowers and roots, with distinct epidermal and mesophyll tissue structures. The study also involved collection and analyzing the plant samples of G. kasachstanicum from the Southeastern Region of Kazakhstan using hydrodistillation and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The GC-MS analysis revealed a complex composition of 68 compounds, including sterols, carboxylic acids, esters, aldehydes, terpenes, glycosides, phenols, and ketones, with notable concentrations of stigmasta-3,5-diene, undec-10-ynoic acid, and tetradecyl ester. The identified vitamins B1, B3, and B6 had higher content, along with a considerable level of polyphenol content, including antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, indicating potential health benefits. The toxic element lead (Pb), also detected, highlights the need for its careful usage. The comprehensive exploration underscores the G. kasachstanicum‘s potential as a source of bioactive compounds with medicinal values. The promising outcomes highlight the conservation strategies to safeguard its natural habitats, potential applications in medicine and allied fields, and importance of its further investigations.
G. kasachstanicum, diverse flora, plant extracts, chemical composition, anatomical features, pharmacological properties, medicinal potential
The noteworthy findings emphasize the need of future research on G. kasachstanicum for its conservation and protection of its natural habitats, and the possibility of using the said species in various medicines.