1：Experimental Design and Method Selection:

The study involved the extraction of Echinops persicus plant parts using various solvents to measure secondary metabolites and antioxidant activity. The green synthesis of CQDs was performed using a hydrothermal method.

2：Sample Selection and Data Sources:

Fresh and healthy parts of Echinops persicus (leaf, stem, root, and flower) were collected from around Birjand–Shokat Abad, Iran.

3：List of Experimental Equipment and Materials:

Instruments included a JASCO FP-6500 spectrofluorometer, JASCO V-570 FTIR, X-ma 2000 spectrophotometer, Philips CM120 TEM, Bruker D8/ Advance XRD, Shimadzu AA-6300 AAS, HR-TEM FEI TEC9G20, and HORIBALB550 DLS analyzer. Materials were sourced from Merck or Sigma Aldrich.

4：Experimental Procedures and Operational Workflow:

Plant parts were extracted using organic solvents with increasing polarity. Secondary metabolites were measured using colorimetric methods. Antioxidant activity was evaluated using DPPH staining and quantitative methods. CQDs were synthesized hydrothermally and characterized.

5：Data Analysis Methods:

Data were analyzed using standard curves for quantification of secondary metabolites and antioxidant activity. CQDs were characterized using spectroscopic and microscopic techniques.