Chemotaxonomy and Bioactive Potential of High‐Mountain Plantago atrata
Miroslava Zhiponova, Zhenya Yordanova, Georgi Ivanov, Uroš Gašić, Danijela Mišić, Kalina Alipieva, Desislava Mantovska, Ginka Cholakova, Alexandra Kapogianni, Ivanka Tsacheva, Vanya Bogoeva, Mila Rusanova, Krasimir Rusanov, Georgi Bonchev, Milena Petrova, Detelina Petrova, Dimitrina Koleva, Viktoria Hristova, Boris Tsenov, Anita Tosheva, Nikolina Mihaylova, Aneliya Raycheva, Dimitar Danchev, Mariya Rogova, Svetoslav Anev, Valya Vassileva, Petya Hristova, Ganka ChanevaPlantago atrata Hoppe is a high‐altitude mountain plant exposed to harsh environmental factors. This study aims to elucidate the ecological, phytochemical and pharmacological characteristics of this lesser‐known plantain. Despite nutrient‐poor peat soil, the leaves of P. atrata contained increased levels of phosphorus, potassium and calcium, and the anatomy revealed an isobilateral mesophyll. Molecular taxonomic identification and phylogenetic analyses confirmed the classification of the studied plant as P. atrata and its clustering with narrow‐leaved plantains growing in extreme conditions. Detailed phytochemical profiles revealed primary and secondary metabolites that can be used as taxonomic identifiers and for bioactivity studies. The methanol fraction enriched in phenolic compounds appeared biologically active – by displaying limited antimicrobial activity, however, it possessed significant radical‐scavenging and anti‐inflammatory capacity. The data demonstrate that P. atrata’s leaf parameters and phytochemical arsenal assure plant survival and reveal the plantain’s pharmaceutical potential in inhibiting inflammation via the classical pathway of Complement activation.