Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Chrysanthemi Indici Flos (CIF), the inflorescence of Chrysanthemum indicum L., is widely used in traditional Chinese medicine. Traditionally, the content of active components in Chinese medicinal materials often changes during processing. However, the variation patterns of main active components in CIF during drying remain largely unknown. This study aims to investigate the contents of multiple chemical components and in vitro bioactivity of CIF with different drying degrees, so as to provide an optimized scheme for its origin processing. METHODS: Fresh CIF were dried at 60 °C to obtain samples with different water contents (80%WC, 60%WC, 40%WC, 20%WC and DS). HPLC was used to determine eight chemical components (chlorogenic acid, 3,5-O-dicaffeoylquinic acid, galuteolin, linarin, luteolin, naringenin, kaempferol and isorhamnetin). In vitro assays evaluated antioxidant activity (radical scavenging), anti-inflammatory activity (enzyme inhibition) and antibacterial activity (disk diffusion, MIC) against several strains. RESULTS: Among eight chemical components, chlorogenic acid and linarin decreased significantly with drying, luteolin and kaempferol first increased then decreased (peaking at 40%WC), and naringenin was highest in 80%WC. HPLC fingerprint similarity was lowest (0.559) between 80%WC and DS samples. Antioxidant (Total reducing capacity/DPPH/ABTS/·OH IC50: 80%WC > DS) and anti-inflammatory (XOD/LOX IC50: 80%WC > DS) activities strengthened with drying. Extracts inhibited Staphylococcus aureus (MIC 1.560-3.125 mg/mL), Listeria monocytogenes (DS group inhibition zone larger) and Escherichia coli (MIC 3.125 mg/mL), but not Pseudomonas aeruginosa or Salmonella paratyphoid. CONCLUSION: Drying degree significantly affects CIF's chemical profiles and in vitro bioactivities, with dry samples showing superior antioxidant/anti-inflammatory properties and specific antibacterial effects. These findings offer targeted guidance for optimizing primary processing parameters of CIF.