LC–MS/MS‐Based Phytochemical Profiling and Bioactivity Evaluation of Iberis carica : Antioxidant and Enzyme Inhibitory Insights

Iberis carica (Brassicaceae), an endemic species of Türkiye, remains poorly characterized in terms of its phenolic composition and bioactivity profile despite the growing interest in plant‐derived antioxidants and enzyme modulators. In this study, we aimed to address this gap by comparatively evaluating the phytochemical composition and biological activities of methanolic extracts obtained using different extraction techniques (maceration, Soxhlet, and ultrasound‐assisted extraction). Targeted LC–ESI–MS/MS analysis revealed a phenolic profile dominated by flavonoid glycosides and hydroxycinnamic/benzoic acid derivatives. Biological evaluation using multiple antioxidant assays and enzyme inhibition tests demonstrated moderate but method‐dependent activities. Enzyme inhibition assays revealed selective effects, with the Soxhlet extract showing the strongest activity against acetylcholinesterase (IC 50 : 1.42 mg/mL), followed by the ultrasound‐assisted extract (IC 50 : 1.50 mg/mL) and maceration extract (IC 50 : 1.75 mg/mL). Tyrosinase inhibition was comparable across extracts (IC 50 : 1.56–1.64 mg/mL), while α‐amylase inhibition was most pronounced in the maceration extract (IC 50 : 1.87 mg/mL), followed by Soxhlet (IC 50 : 2.12 mg/mL) and ultrasound‐assisted extracts (IC 50 : 2.21 mg/mL). Correlation analysis further indicated that flavonoid‐rich fractions were more closely associated with enzyme inhibition, whereas phenolic acids contributed predominantly to antioxidant responses. Overall, this integrative approach provides the first systematic insight into the composition–activity relationships of I. carica and highlights its potential as a source of bioactive phenolics, while also emphasizing the role of extraction strategy in shaping phytochemical and functional outcomes.