Research Article
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Phytochemical Characterization and Antioxidant Potential of Peganum harmala L. Seeds: A Natural Source of Bioactive Compounds.

Year 2026, Volume: 15 Issue: 1 , 67 - 73 , 30.03.2026
https://doi.org/10.46810/tdfd.1761584
https://izlik.org/JA55BJ68BA

Abstract

This study investigated the antioxidant potential and biochemical composition of Peganum harmala (üzerlik) using ethanol (ETOH) and water (AQUA) as extraction solvents. Antioxidant capacity was assessed via ABTS, DPPH, and FRAP assays, alongside total protein quantification and chromatographic analysis of phenolic compounds. The ethanol extract demonstrated markedly higher ABTS (782 μM TE/gDW) and DPPH (150 μM TE/gDW) activities compared to the aqueous extract (160.25 and 60.94 μM TE/gDW, respectively), indicating ethanol’s greater efficiency in extracting lipophilic antioxidants. Conversely, FRAP activity was higher in the aqueous extract (684.69 μM TE/gDW) than in ethanol (520.69 μM TE/gDW), suggesting better recovery of hydrophilic antioxidants. Protein content was also higher in ethanol extracts (54.41 µg/gDW) than in aqueous (39.37 µg/gDW). Phenolic profiling revealed that aqueous extracts were richer in 3-hydroxybenzoic, 4-hydroxybenzoic, ferulic, and p-coumaric acids, while ethanol extracts contained gallic and chlorogenic acids absent in aqueous samples. Flavonoids such as hesperidin and hyperoside were detected only in the aqueous extract. Overall, ethanol favored the extraction of proteins, lipophilic antioxidants, and certain phenolic acids, while water was more effective for hydrophilic phenolics and some flavonoids. These findings underscore the solvent-dependent selectivity in bioactive compound recovery from P. harmala, providing a comprehensive insight into its functional potential.

References

  • Wanntorp L, Louis P. Flowers on the Tree of Life. Cambridge University Press; 2011.
  • Sheahan CM, Chase WM. Phylogenetic relationships within Zygophyllaceae. Systematic Botany 2000;25(3):371–384.
  • Mahmoudian M, Jalilpour H, Salehian P. Toxicity of Peganum harmala: Review and case report. Iranian Journal of Pharmacology and Therapeutics 2002;1(1):1–4.
  • Herraiz T, González D, Ancín-Azpilicueta C, et al. Beta-carboline alkaloids in Peganum harmala. Food and Chemical Toxicology 2010;48(3):839–845.
  • Berrougui H, Martín-Cordero C, Khalil A, et al. Vasorelaxant effects of harmine and harmaline extracted from Peganum harmala seeds. Pharmacological Research 2006;54(2):150–157.
  • Mahmoudian M, Jalilpour H. Biological activities of beta-carboline alkaloids from Peganum harmala. Pharmaceutical Biology 2001;39(3):185–191.
  • Splettstoesser F, Bonnet U, Wiemann M, et al. Modulation of voltage-gated channel currents by harmaline and harmane. British Journal of Pharmacology 2005;144(1):52–58.
  • Nenaah G. Antibacterial and antifungal activities of β-carboline alkaloids of Peganum harmala seeds. Fitoterapia 2010;81(7):779–782.
  • Rharrabe K, Bakrim A, Ghailani N, et al. Bioinsecticidal effect of harmaline on Plodia interpunctella. Pesticide Biochemistry and Physiology 2007;89(2):137–145.
  • Di Giorgio C, Delmas F, Ollivier E, et al. In vitro activity of beta-carbolines toward Leishmania infantum. Experimental Parasitology 2004;106(1):67–74.
  • Boudjelal A, Chenchouni H, Toumi A. Antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of Peganum harmala seed extracts. African Journal of Microbiology Research 2012;6(4):740–745.
  • Kallel A, Fetoui H, Makni M, et al. Protective effect of Peganum harmala seeds against oxidative stress in rat liver. Biological Trace Element Research 2011;139(1–3):113–122.
  • Lakhlifi T, et al. Antileishmanial activity of Peganum harmala seed alkaloids. Parasitology Research 2012;110(2):809–815.
  • El Barky AA, et al. Hepatoprotective and antioxidant effects of Peganum harmala. Journal of Ethnopharmacology 2017;204:116–123.
  • Farouk L, Laroubi A, Aboufatima R, et al. Evaluation of analgesic effect of alkaloid extract of Peganum harmala. Journal of Ethnopharmacology 2008;115(3):449–454.
  • Shi CC, Liao JF, Chen CF. Comparative study on vasorelaxant effects of three harmala alkaloids. Japanese Journal of Pharmacology 2001;85(3):299–305.
  • Aarons DH, Rossi GV, Orzechowski RF. Cardiovascular actions of harmala alkaloids. Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences 1977;66(8):1244–1248.
  • Yu AM, Idle JR, Krausz KW, et al. Cytochrome P450 involvement in O-demethylation of harmaline and harmine. Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics 2003;305(1):315–322.
  • Benzie IFF, Strain JJ. The ferric reducing ability of plasma (FRAP) as a measure of “antioxidant power”: The FRAP assay. Analytical Biochemistry 1996;239(1):70–76. https://doi.org/10.1006/abio.1996.0292.
  • Brand-Williams W, Cuvelier ME, Berset C. Use of a free radical method to evaluate antioxidant activity. LWT - Food Science and Technology 1995;28(1):25–30. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0023-6438(95)80008-5.
  • Arnao MB, Cano A, Acosta M. The hydrophilic and lipophilic contribution to total antioxidant activity. Food Chemistry 2001;73(2):239–244. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0308-8146(00)00324-1.
  • Warburg O, Christian W. Isolierung und Kristallisation des Gärungsferments Enolase. Biochemische Zeitschrift 1941;310:384–421.
  • Gören AC, Çikrikçi S, Çergel M, Bilsel G. Rapid quantitation of curcumin in turmeric via NMR and LC-tandem mass spectrometry. Food Chemistry 2009;113:1239–1242. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodchem.2008.08.014
  • Singleton VL, Orthofer R, Lamuela-Raventós RM. Analysis of total phenols and other oxidation substrates and antioxidants by means of Folin-Ciocalteu reagent. Methods in Enzymology 1999;299:152–178.
  • Alara OR, Abdurahman NH. Extraction of phenolic compounds: A review. Current Research in Food Science 2021; 4:200–214.
  • Do QD, Angkawijaya AE, Tran-Nguyen PL, Huynh LH, Soetaredjo FE, Ismadji S, Ju YW. Effect of extraction solvent on total phenol content, total flavonoid content, and antioxidant activity of Limnophila aromatica. Journal of Food and Drug Analysis 2014; 22(3):296–302.
  • Dai J, Mumper RJ. Plant phenolics: Extraction, analysis and their antioxidant and anticancer properties. Molecules 2010; 15(10):7313–7352.
  • Chew KK, Khoo MZ, Ng SY, Thoo YY, Aida WNW, Ho CW, Ling TC. Effect of ethanol concentration, extraction time and extraction temperature on the recovery of phenolic compounds and antioxidant capacity of Orthosiphon stamineus extracts. International Food Research Journal 2011; 18(4):1427–1435.
  • Shalaby EA, Hammouda O. Biological activities and phytochemicals of Peganum harmala L. – A review. Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Disease 2014;4(Suppl 2):S873–S879.
  • Dai J, Mumper RJ. Plant phenolics: extraction, analysis and their antioxidant and anticancer properties. Molecules 2010;15(10):7313–7352.
  • Zhou Y, Zheng J, Li Y, Xu DP, Li S, Li HB. Natural polyphenols for prevention and treatment of cancer. Nutrients 2016;8(8):515.
  • Eriten, B., Kucukler, S., Gur, C., Ayna, A., Diril, H. and Caglayan, C. Protective Effects of Carvacrol on Mercuric Chloride-Induced Lung Toxicity Through Modulating Oxidative Stress, Apoptosis, Inflammation, and Autophagy. Environmental Toxicology. 2024; 39: 5227-5237. https://doi.org/10.1002/tox.24397.
  • Kucukler, S., Benzer, F., Yildirim, S. et al. Protective Effects of Chrysin Against Oxidative Stress and Inflammation Induced by Lead Acetate in Rat Kidneys: a Biochemical and Histopathological Approach. Biol Trace Elem Res. 2021; 199:1501–1514.
  • Gulcin, İ. Antioxidants: a comprehensive review. Archives of Toxicology, 2025: 99; 1893–1997.

Peganum harmala L. Tohumlarının Fitokimyasal Karakterizasyonu ve Antioksidan Potansiyeli: Biyoaktif Bileşiklerin Doğal Bir Kaynağı

Year 2026, Volume: 15 Issue: 1 , 67 - 73 , 30.03.2026
https://doi.org/10.46810/tdfd.1761584
https://izlik.org/JA55BJ68BA

Abstract

Bu çalışmada, Peganum harmala (üzerlik) bitkisinin antioksidan potansiyeli ve biyokimyasal bileşimi, çözücü olarak etanol (ETOH) ve su (AQUA) kullanılarak değerlendirilmiştir. Antioksidan kapasite ABTS, DPPH ve FRAP yöntemleriyle belirlenmiş; toplam protein miktarı ile fenolik bileşik profili kromatografik analizlerle incelenmiştir. Etanol ekstraktı, ABTS (782 μM TE/gKM) ve DPPH (150 μM TE/gKM) aktivitelerinde sulu ekstrakta (160,25 ve 60,94 μM TE/gKM) kıyasla belirgin üstünlük göstermiş, bu da lipofilik antioksidanların ekstraksiyonunda etanolün daha verimli olduğunu ortaya koymuştur. Buna karşın, FRAP aktivitesi sulu ekstrakta (684,69 μM TE/gKM) etanol ekstraktına (520,69 μM TE/gKM) göre daha yüksek bulunmuş ve hidrofilik antioksidanların su ile daha iyi ekstrakte edildiğini göstermiştir. Protein içeriği de etanol ekstraktında (54,41 µg/gKM) sulu ekstrakta (39,37 µg/gKM) göre daha yüksek tespit edilmiştir. Fenolik profil analizinde, sulu ekstraktın 3-hidroksibenzoik, 4-hidroksibenzoik, ferulik ve p-kumarik asit bakımından zengin olduğu; etanol ekstraktında ise sulu örneklerde bulunmayan gallik ve klorojenik asit tespit edilmiştir. Ayrıca, hesperidin ve hiperosid yalnızca sulu ekstrakta belirlenmiştir. Bulgular, P. harmala’da çözücüye bağlı biyoaktif bileşik seçiciliğini ortaya koymakta ve fonksiyonel potansiyeli hakkında kapsamlı bilgi sunmaktadır.

References

  • Wanntorp L, Louis P. Flowers on the Tree of Life. Cambridge University Press; 2011.
  • Sheahan CM, Chase WM. Phylogenetic relationships within Zygophyllaceae. Systematic Botany 2000;25(3):371–384.
  • Mahmoudian M, Jalilpour H, Salehian P. Toxicity of Peganum harmala: Review and case report. Iranian Journal of Pharmacology and Therapeutics 2002;1(1):1–4.
  • Herraiz T, González D, Ancín-Azpilicueta C, et al. Beta-carboline alkaloids in Peganum harmala. Food and Chemical Toxicology 2010;48(3):839–845.
  • Berrougui H, Martín-Cordero C, Khalil A, et al. Vasorelaxant effects of harmine and harmaline extracted from Peganum harmala seeds. Pharmacological Research 2006;54(2):150–157.
  • Mahmoudian M, Jalilpour H. Biological activities of beta-carboline alkaloids from Peganum harmala. Pharmaceutical Biology 2001;39(3):185–191.
  • Splettstoesser F, Bonnet U, Wiemann M, et al. Modulation of voltage-gated channel currents by harmaline and harmane. British Journal of Pharmacology 2005;144(1):52–58.
  • Nenaah G. Antibacterial and antifungal activities of β-carboline alkaloids of Peganum harmala seeds. Fitoterapia 2010;81(7):779–782.
  • Rharrabe K, Bakrim A, Ghailani N, et al. Bioinsecticidal effect of harmaline on Plodia interpunctella. Pesticide Biochemistry and Physiology 2007;89(2):137–145.
  • Di Giorgio C, Delmas F, Ollivier E, et al. In vitro activity of beta-carbolines toward Leishmania infantum. Experimental Parasitology 2004;106(1):67–74.
  • Boudjelal A, Chenchouni H, Toumi A. Antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of Peganum harmala seed extracts. African Journal of Microbiology Research 2012;6(4):740–745.
  • Kallel A, Fetoui H, Makni M, et al. Protective effect of Peganum harmala seeds against oxidative stress in rat liver. Biological Trace Element Research 2011;139(1–3):113–122.
  • Lakhlifi T, et al. Antileishmanial activity of Peganum harmala seed alkaloids. Parasitology Research 2012;110(2):809–815.
  • El Barky AA, et al. Hepatoprotective and antioxidant effects of Peganum harmala. Journal of Ethnopharmacology 2017;204:116–123.
  • Farouk L, Laroubi A, Aboufatima R, et al. Evaluation of analgesic effect of alkaloid extract of Peganum harmala. Journal of Ethnopharmacology 2008;115(3):449–454.
  • Shi CC, Liao JF, Chen CF. Comparative study on vasorelaxant effects of three harmala alkaloids. Japanese Journal of Pharmacology 2001;85(3):299–305.
  • Aarons DH, Rossi GV, Orzechowski RF. Cardiovascular actions of harmala alkaloids. Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences 1977;66(8):1244–1248.
  • Yu AM, Idle JR, Krausz KW, et al. Cytochrome P450 involvement in O-demethylation of harmaline and harmine. Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics 2003;305(1):315–322.
  • Benzie IFF, Strain JJ. The ferric reducing ability of plasma (FRAP) as a measure of “antioxidant power”: The FRAP assay. Analytical Biochemistry 1996;239(1):70–76. https://doi.org/10.1006/abio.1996.0292.
  • Brand-Williams W, Cuvelier ME, Berset C. Use of a free radical method to evaluate antioxidant activity. LWT - Food Science and Technology 1995;28(1):25–30. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0023-6438(95)80008-5.
  • Arnao MB, Cano A, Acosta M. The hydrophilic and lipophilic contribution to total antioxidant activity. Food Chemistry 2001;73(2):239–244. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0308-8146(00)00324-1.
  • Warburg O, Christian W. Isolierung und Kristallisation des Gärungsferments Enolase. Biochemische Zeitschrift 1941;310:384–421.
  • Gören AC, Çikrikçi S, Çergel M, Bilsel G. Rapid quantitation of curcumin in turmeric via NMR and LC-tandem mass spectrometry. Food Chemistry 2009;113:1239–1242. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodchem.2008.08.014
  • Singleton VL, Orthofer R, Lamuela-Raventós RM. Analysis of total phenols and other oxidation substrates and antioxidants by means of Folin-Ciocalteu reagent. Methods in Enzymology 1999;299:152–178.
  • Alara OR, Abdurahman NH. Extraction of phenolic compounds: A review. Current Research in Food Science 2021; 4:200–214.
  • Do QD, Angkawijaya AE, Tran-Nguyen PL, Huynh LH, Soetaredjo FE, Ismadji S, Ju YW. Effect of extraction solvent on total phenol content, total flavonoid content, and antioxidant activity of Limnophila aromatica. Journal of Food and Drug Analysis 2014; 22(3):296–302.
  • Dai J, Mumper RJ. Plant phenolics: Extraction, analysis and their antioxidant and anticancer properties. Molecules 2010; 15(10):7313–7352.
  • Chew KK, Khoo MZ, Ng SY, Thoo YY, Aida WNW, Ho CW, Ling TC. Effect of ethanol concentration, extraction time and extraction temperature on the recovery of phenolic compounds and antioxidant capacity of Orthosiphon stamineus extracts. International Food Research Journal 2011; 18(4):1427–1435.
  • Shalaby EA, Hammouda O. Biological activities and phytochemicals of Peganum harmala L. – A review. Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Disease 2014;4(Suppl 2):S873–S879.
  • Dai J, Mumper RJ. Plant phenolics: extraction, analysis and their antioxidant and anticancer properties. Molecules 2010;15(10):7313–7352.
  • Zhou Y, Zheng J, Li Y, Xu DP, Li S, Li HB. Natural polyphenols for prevention and treatment of cancer. Nutrients 2016;8(8):515.
  • Eriten, B., Kucukler, S., Gur, C., Ayna, A., Diril, H. and Caglayan, C. Protective Effects of Carvacrol on Mercuric Chloride-Induced Lung Toxicity Through Modulating Oxidative Stress, Apoptosis, Inflammation, and Autophagy. Environmental Toxicology. 2024; 39: 5227-5237. https://doi.org/10.1002/tox.24397.
  • Kucukler, S., Benzer, F., Yildirim, S. et al. Protective Effects of Chrysin Against Oxidative Stress and Inflammation Induced by Lead Acetate in Rat Kidneys: a Biochemical and Histopathological Approach. Biol Trace Elem Res. 2021; 199:1501–1514.
  • Gulcin, İ. Antioxidants: a comprehensive review. Archives of Toxicology, 2025: 99; 1893–1997.
There are 34 citations in total.

Details

Primary Language English
Subjects Analytical Biochemistry, Analytical Chemistry (Other)
Journal Section Research Article
Authors

Muammer Tepe 0000-0002-1071-0060

Submission Date August 9, 2025
Acceptance Date December 18, 2025
Publication Date March 30, 2026
DOI https://doi.org/10.46810/tdfd.1761584
IZ https://izlik.org/JA55BJ68BA
Published in Issue Year 2026 Volume: 15 Issue: 1

Cite

APA Tepe, M. (2026). Phytochemical Characterization and Antioxidant Potential of Peganum harmala L. Seeds: A Natural Source of Bioactive Compounds. Türk Doğa Ve Fen Dergisi, 15(1), 67-73. https://doi.org/10.46810/tdfd.1761584
AMA 1.Tepe M. Phytochemical Characterization and Antioxidant Potential of Peganum harmala L. Seeds: A Natural Source of Bioactive Compounds. TJNS. 2026;15(1):67-73. doi:10.46810/tdfd.1761584
Chicago Tepe, Muammer. 2026. “Phytochemical Characterization and Antioxidant Potential of Peganum Harmala L. Seeds: A Natural Source of Bioactive Compounds”. Türk Doğa Ve Fen Dergisi 15 (1): 67-73. https://doi.org/10.46810/tdfd.1761584.
EndNote Tepe M (March 1, 2026) Phytochemical Characterization and Antioxidant Potential of Peganum harmala L. Seeds: A Natural Source of Bioactive Compounds. Türk Doğa ve Fen Dergisi 15 1 67–73.
IEEE [1]M. Tepe, “Phytochemical Characterization and Antioxidant Potential of Peganum harmala L. Seeds: A Natural Source of Bioactive Compounds”., TJNS, vol. 15, no. 1, pp. 67–73, Mar. 2026, doi: 10.46810/tdfd.1761584.
ISNAD Tepe, Muammer. “Phytochemical Characterization and Antioxidant Potential of Peganum Harmala L. Seeds: A Natural Source of Bioactive Compounds”. Türk Doğa ve Fen Dergisi 15/1 (March 1, 2026): 67-73. https://doi.org/10.46810/tdfd.1761584.
JAMA 1.Tepe M. Phytochemical Characterization and Antioxidant Potential of Peganum harmala L. Seeds: A Natural Source of Bioactive Compounds. TJNS. 2026;15:67–73.
MLA Tepe, Muammer. “Phytochemical Characterization and Antioxidant Potential of Peganum Harmala L. Seeds: A Natural Source of Bioactive Compounds”. Türk Doğa Ve Fen Dergisi, vol. 15, no. 1, Mar. 2026, pp. 67-73, doi:10.46810/tdfd.1761584.
Vancouver 1.Muammer Tepe. Phytochemical Characterization and Antioxidant Potential of Peganum harmala L. Seeds: A Natural Source of Bioactive Compounds. TJNS. 2026 Mar. 1;15(1):67-73. doi:10.46810/tdfd.1761584

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