Komparativna analiza antioksidativnog, antidijabetičkog i an- tiinflamatornog potencijala dve briofite: Apopellia endiviifolia i Fontinalis antipyretica

Bryophytes are an ancient and ecologically important group of land plants which remain underexplored regarding their phytochemi- cal composition and biological activities. This study aimed to determine the phenolic content and evaluate the antioxidant, anti- diabetic, and anti-inflammatory potential of extracts from two bryophyte species, the liverwort Apopellia endiviifolia and the moss Fontinalis antipyretica. Spectrophotometric methods were used to determine the phenolic content, antioxidant activity (measured as the ability to donate H+, donate electrons, and chelate metals); antidiabetic activity (the ability to inhibit α-amylase), and anti-in- flammatory activity (the ability to inhibit the denaturation of bovine serum albumin, BSA). Our results indicate a significantly higher concentration of total phenolic compounds in A. endiviifolia (4.945 ± 0.175 mg/gDW) compared to F. antipyretica (2.698 ± 0.153 mg/gDW). The total antioxidant activity, assessed using the phosphomolybdenum method and expressed as equivalents of vitamin C and vitamin E, was higher for the F. antipyretica extract, whereas the ability to scavenge ABTS (2,2’-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothia- zoline-6-sulfonic acid) radicals was similar between the two samples. However, A. endiviifolia demonstrated superior Fe3+ and Cu2+ reduction and Fe chelation capabilities. The inhibition of the α-amylase activity was moderate for both extracts. Additionally, we report for the first time the ability of the studied bryophytes to inhibit BSA denaturation, with F. antipyretica showing greater anti- inflammatory activity. These findings indicate that A. endiviifolia and F. antipyretica possess considerable bioactive potential and highlight the importance of further investigations into the biological properties of bryophytes. The observed differences may reflect the functional roles of phenolic metabolites in planta, suggesting the ecological and biochemical significance of these bryophytes.