Seasonal Phytochemical Profiling and Chemometric Assessment of <i>Crataegus songarica</i> K. Koch: Implications for Bioactivity and Resource Utilization

ABSTRACT Crataegus songarica K. Koch is a widely distributed species in Central Asia with recognized ethnobotanical importance; however, its seasonal phytochemical variation remains insufficiently characterized. In this study, leaves and flowers collected at different developmental stages were analyzed to evaluate phenolic profiles, mineral composition, and associated biological responses. High‐performance liquid chromatography identified apigenin and rutin as the dominant flavonoids in leaves, while flowers showed pronounced but transient increases in flavonoid content during flowering. Inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry revealed high levels of potassium, calcium, and magnesium. Ethanolic extracts exhibited low acute toxicity (LD 50 &gt; 5000 mg/kg) and demonstrated measurable biological activity, including attenuation of carbon tetrachloride‐induced biochemical alterations and improved tolerance to normobaric hypoxia. Multivariate analysis using principal component analysis revealed clear organ‐ and season‐dependent differentiation of phytochemical profiles, while partial least squares regression indicated model‐indicated associations between chemical composition and physiological response parameters. The results highlight pronounced seasonal and organ‐specific variation in C. songarica K. Koch and demonstrate that its biological effects are linked to coordinated phytochemical patterns, supporting its value as a chemically rich plant resource for phytochemical and biodiversity‐oriented studies.

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