# _Applied sciences_
## 3 Results and Discussion  
### Chemical Profiles Based on Ultra-Performance Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry  
Phytometabolites from various plants have shown promise in treating mental health disorders such as depression [5; 14]. The efficacy of St. John's word for major depressive disorder, curcumin and safron for depression symptoms, and ginkgo for schizophrenia symptoms have been supported by several meta-analyses [15]. Secondary plant metabolites could provide an innovative pathway for developing new drugs by identifying active compounds to address neuromodulation and metabolic diseases, particularly benefiting economically developing countries [16]. The leaves of _L. leonurus_ were extracted with DCM and other solvents (Supplementary Figures S1-S3 and Supplementary Tables S1-S3), and _G. frutiicosus_ leaves were extracted with DCM to obtain fractions. The tentative identification of _L. leonurus_ DCM extract and other solvents was conducted using UPLC-MS ESI positive (Tables S1 and S2 in the Supplementary Materials), and UPLC-MS ESI negative mode was used for the tentative identification of _G. frutiicosus_ DCM extract (Table S3 in Supplementary Materials). The tentative identification of the compounds was achieved by matching MS fragmentation fingerprints from the PubChem database and the accurate mass-generated elemental composition. As shown in Figure 1, the UPLC-MS revealed the phytochemicals of _G. frutiicosus_ DCM extract containing rutin (flavonoid), voruscharin (cardenolide), uscharin (cardenolide), afroside (glycoside), and decinnamoyltaxagifine (diterpene). Historically, cardiac glycosides from this plant were isolated in the 1950s [17; 18], with a new glycoside and triterpenoids discovered in 2016 [19]. Glycosides are molecules composed of carbohydrates linked to non-carbohydrate molecules [20], and they may influence neuroprotection and synaptic plasticity by modulating proteins including G-coupled proteins, essential proteins for intracellular signalling [21]. These proteins are essential in transmitting intracellular signals through receptors for neurotransmitters, hormones, and neuromodulators [22]. Dysfunctions in glycosides could be associated with neuronal pathway irregularities, potentially linked to mood disorders or suicidal behaviour [21]. Cardenolides are toxic steroids with historical medicinal use, primarily as Na+/K+ ATPase inhibitors [23]. While their direct link to mental disorders is unclear, some cardenolides affect the central nervous system [24], warranting further research. Flavonoid rutin, from _Schinus molle_ L., has demonstrated antidepressant effects by increasing serotonin and noradrenaline levels, as shown in a study by [PERSON] et al. [25], where it reduced immobility time without altering locomotor activity, suggesting its potential role in mood regulation. The UPLC-MS generated the phytochemical fingerprint of _L. leonurus_ DCM (Figure 2) and other solvents namely methanol, acetone and hexane (Supplementary Tables S1-S3), indicating the presence of 6-methoxyuleotin-4\({}^{\prime}\)-methyl ether, 9,13-epoxylabda-6(19)-diol dilatone, and marrubinin (diterpenes). Percentages of these compounds varied as indicated by the generated peaks from each of the different solvent extracts. Diterpenes are essential oils widely recognised for their neurobiological activities [26]. While decinnamoyltaxagifine has been identified in plants of the Taxaceae family [27; 28], there is currently no evidence supporting its antidepressant properties. Conversely, diterpenes, recognised for neurobiological activities [26; 29], include ginkgolides, which exhibit antidepressant and anti-anxiety effects through specific neural pathways like NT3 TrkA and Ras-MAPK [30; 31]. Based on the use of UPLC-MS, 6-methoxyuleotin-4\({}^{\prime}\)-methyl ether, 9,13-epoxylabda-6(19)-diol dilatone, and marrubinin (diterpene) were identified in _L. leonurus_ extract (Figure 2).