Comparative Evaluation of the Chemical Components and Anti-Inflammatory Potential of Yellow- and Blue-Flowered Species: and .

has long been used in traditional Tibetan medicine to treat various inflammatory and pain-related conditions. However, blue-flowered () is becoming increasingly scarce due to overharvesting. As a potential alternative, yellow-flowered () shows promise but requires comprehensive characterization. This study aimed to evaluate and compare the anti-inflammatory potential of yellow- and blue-flowered species. Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) techniques were used to analyze the chemical profiles of yellow- and blue-flowered . Putative targets of shared constituents were subjected to GO and disease enrichment analysis. The LPS-induced RAW264.7 macrophage model was employed to assess anti-inflammatory effects. Metabolomics was applied to gain mechanistic insights. LC-MS revealed over 70% chemical similarity between species. Enrichment analysis associated targets with inflammation-related pathways. In macrophage assays, both species demonstrated dose-dependent antioxidative and anti-inflammatory activities, with yellow exhibiting superior efficacy. Metabolomics showed modulation of key inflammatory metabolic pathways. This integrative study validated yellow-flowered as a credible alternative to its blue-flowered counterpart for anti-inflammatory applications. Metabolic profiling provided initial clues regarding their multi-targeted modes of action, highlighting their potential for sustainable utilization and biodiversity conservation.