Myrtus communis L. subsp. communis Seeds Exhibit Potent Antioxidant Capacity, Enzyme Inhibition, and Selective Cytotoxicity Against Lung, Breast, Prostate, and Liver Human Cancer Cells

Zühal Bayrakçeken Güven; Osman Tugay

doi:10.26650/IstanbulJPharm.2025.1728301

Myrtus communis L. subsp. communis Seeds Exhibit Potent Antioxidant Capacity, Enzyme Inhibition, and Selective Cytotoxicity Against Lung, Breast, Prostate, and Liver Human Cancer Cells

Abstract

Background and Aims: Myrtle (Myrtus communis L.) has been used as a food and folk medicine since ancient times. The aim of this study was to determine the antioxidant capacity, inhibition of tyrosinase enzyme, and cytotoxicity of 12 extracts from the fruit, seed, leaves, and twigs of Myrtus communis L. subsp. communis. Methods: The cytotoxic effects on human lung (A549), liver (Hep3B), prostate (PC-3) and breast (MCF7) cancer cells and healthy L929 cells were determined using the MTT method. Tyrosinase enzyme inhibition was investigated using L-tyrosine as the substrate. The antioxidant capacity was determined using the DPPH, TEAC and CUPRAC methods. Results: It was found that the extracts did not affect the viability of healthy cells but showed concentration- dependent toxic effects on cancer cells. The ethyl acetate sub-extracts of the plant parts showed a higher cytotoxic effect on all cell lines, and the ethyl acetate sub-extract of the seed was the most effective with 72.6% proliferation inhibition against the Hep3B. The methanol extract and ethyl acetate sub-extract of the seed showed the highest inhibition against tyrosinase and the values were 388.6 and 412.8 mg KAE/g extract, respectively. While all extracts showed significant antioxidant activities in all methods, the ethyl acetate sub-extract of seeds showed the highest. Conclusion: This is the first comparative study to investigate the antiproliferative effects of extracts from various parts of Myrtus communis L. subsp. communis. The results show that seeds in particular can be a promising, effective and recyclable resource that can be safely used in the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries.

Keywords

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Pharmacognosy

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Zühal Bayrakçeken Güven ^*
0000-0003-3405-6996
Türkiye

Osman Tugay
0000-0003-3980-7648
Türkiye

Publication Date

January 14, 2026

Submission Date

June 26, 2025

Acceptance Date

November 14, 2025

Published in Issue

Year 2025 Volume: 55 Number: 3

DOI

https://doi.org/10.26650/IstanbulJPharm.2025.1728301

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA92ZH99UC

Cite

RIS / Bibtex

APA

Bayrakçeken Güven, Z., & Tugay, O. (2026). Myrtus communis L. subsp. communis Seeds Exhibit Potent Antioxidant Capacity, Enzyme Inhibition, and Selective Cytotoxicity Against Lung, Breast, Prostate, and Liver Human Cancer Cells. İstanbul Journal of Pharmacy, 55(3), 435-443. https://doi.org/10.26650/IstanbulJPharm.2025.1728301

AMA

1.Bayrakçeken Güven Z, Tugay O. Myrtus communis L. subsp. communis Seeds Exhibit Potent Antioxidant Capacity, Enzyme Inhibition, and Selective Cytotoxicity Against Lung, Breast, Prostate, and Liver Human Cancer Cells. iujp. 2026;55(3):435-443. doi:10.26650/IstanbulJPharm.2025.1728301

Chicago

Bayrakçeken Güven, Zühal, and Osman Tugay. 2026. “Myrtus Communis L. Subsp. Communis Seeds Exhibit Potent Antioxidant Capacity, Enzyme Inhibition, and Selective Cytotoxicity Against Lung, Breast, Prostate, and Liver Human Cancer Cells”. İstanbul Journal of Pharmacy 55 (3): 435-43. https://doi.org/10.26650/IstanbulJPharm.2025.1728301.

EndNote

Bayrakçeken Güven Z, Tugay O (January 1, 2026) Myrtus communis L. subsp. communis Seeds Exhibit Potent Antioxidant Capacity, Enzyme Inhibition, and Selective Cytotoxicity Against Lung, Breast, Prostate, and Liver Human Cancer Cells. İstanbul Journal of Pharmacy 55 3 435–443.

IEEE

[1]Z. Bayrakçeken Güven and O. Tugay, “Myrtus communis L. subsp. communis Seeds Exhibit Potent Antioxidant Capacity, Enzyme Inhibition, and Selective Cytotoxicity Against Lung, Breast, Prostate, and Liver Human Cancer Cells”, iujp, vol. 55, no. 3, pp. 435–443, Jan. 2026, doi: 10.26650/IstanbulJPharm.2025.1728301.

ISNAD

Bayrakçeken Güven, Zühal - Tugay, Osman. “Myrtus Communis L. Subsp. Communis Seeds Exhibit Potent Antioxidant Capacity, Enzyme Inhibition, and Selective Cytotoxicity Against Lung, Breast, Prostate, and Liver Human Cancer Cells”. İstanbul Journal of Pharmacy 55/3 (January 1, 2026): 435-443. https://doi.org/10.26650/IstanbulJPharm.2025.1728301.

JAMA

1.Bayrakçeken Güven Z, Tugay O. Myrtus communis L. subsp. communis Seeds Exhibit Potent Antioxidant Capacity, Enzyme Inhibition, and Selective Cytotoxicity Against Lung, Breast, Prostate, and Liver Human Cancer Cells. iujp. 2026;55:435–443.

MLA

Bayrakçeken Güven, Zühal, and Osman Tugay. “Myrtus Communis L. Subsp. Communis Seeds Exhibit Potent Antioxidant Capacity, Enzyme Inhibition, and Selective Cytotoxicity Against Lung, Breast, Prostate, and Liver Human Cancer Cells”. İstanbul Journal of Pharmacy, vol. 55, no. 3, Jan. 2026, pp. 435-43, doi:10.26650/IstanbulJPharm.2025.1728301.

Vancouver

1.Zühal Bayrakçeken Güven, Osman Tugay. Myrtus communis L. subsp. communis Seeds Exhibit Potent Antioxidant Capacity, Enzyme Inhibition, and Selective Cytotoxicity Against Lung, Breast, Prostate, and Liver Human Cancer Cells. iujp. 2026 Jan. 1;55(3):435-43. doi:10.26650/IstanbulJPharm.2025.1728301