Abstract
This study aimed to screen ethanolic extracts from four medicinal plants (Chelidonium majus, Akebia quinata, Rubia ovatifolia, Elsholtzia ciliata) for bioactive components with anti-lung cancer potential. The volatile profiles of the extracts were analyzed by GC-MS, while their functional groups were characterized using FTIR spectroscopy to compare compositional differences among plant organs. Antiproliferative activity against lung cancer A549 cells was evaluated via MTT assay. The results identified the root extract of Chelidonium majus as the most potent, significantly inhibiting A549 cell proliferation. Subsequent UPLC-QTOF-MS analysis of this active root extract was conducted to identify both active and inactive constituents. Our findings highlight Chelidonium majus root as a promising source of anti-lung cancer agents and provide a comprehensive chemical basis for its bioactivity.