Klasea khuzistanica (Mozaff.) Mozaff. ex Hidalgo., a perennial endemic species in Iran, from the Asteraceae family, was investigated for medicinal value by evaluating ecdysteroid, total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), and antioxidant activity (IC50) in different organs using a completely randomised design with three replications. Significant differences were observed among organs; flowers exhibited the highest TPC (5.75 ± 0.17 mg GAE/g DW) and TFC (2.12 ± 0.74 mg QE/g DW), while leaves demonstrated the greatest DPPH· radical scavenging activity (IC50 = 442.03 ± 28.65 µg mL-1). LC-MS and LC-MS/MS analyses identified various phenolic, flavonoid, and phytoecdysteroid compounds, with aerial parts showing higher concentrations along with ascorbic acid. Kaempferol and 20-hydroxyecdysone were most abundant in leaves, along with a tentatively identified phytoecdysteroid as muristerone A. This is the first comprehensive phytochemical profiling of the endemic K. khuzistanica, including the putative identification of muristerone A based on LC-MS/MS data, while emphasising further isolation and studies.
Keywords: Asteraceae; ecdysteroids; kaempferol; klasea khuzistanica (Mozaff.) Mozaff. ex Hidalgo; muristerone A.