Antioxidant, enzyme inhibitory, and cytotoxic activity screening of Daphne pontica L. (Thymelaeaceae)

Abstract

The genus Daphne L. (Thymelaeaceae), thriving in temperate and subtropical regions, is renowned for its medicinal properties. Used extensively in traditional medicine, Daphne species are rich in bioactive compounds that have been utilized to treat various diseases. Daphne pontica L., a shrub locally known as kurtbağı, sırımağu, and sırımbağı, is primarily distributed in Northern Anatolia. This study is the first comprehensive evaluation of the antioxidant, enzyme inhibitory, and cytotoxic activities of diethyl ether extracts obtained from different parts of this plant. MTT assays revealed selective cytotoxic effects of D. pontica extracts. The fruit extract demonstrated the strongest activity with IC50 values of 0.467 mg/ml in A-549 cells and 0.937 mg/ml in HeLa cells, while the stem extract exhibited an IC50 of 0.896 mg/ml in MCF-7 cells. These results suggest concentration- and extract-dependent biological potential. Additionally, enzyme inhibition assays highlighted the plant's promising antidiabetic activity. Overall, this study emphasizes the potential of D. pontica diethyl ether extracts as natural antioxidants and multifunctional bioactive agents. These findings provide a foundation for further research into its diverse therapeutic applications.

Keywords

• Thymelaeaceae
• Daphne pontica
• Antioxidant
• Cytotoxicity

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