Ismail Senkardes

Diplotaxis tenuifolia is an edible Brassicaceae species recognized for its phytochemical richness and health-promoting potential. This study evaluated six extracts obtained by maceration (MAC) and ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) using ethyl acetate (EtOAc), methanol (MeOH), and water. LC-MS/MS profiling revealed solvent- and method-dependent metabolite occurrence, including glucosinolates, flavonol glycosides, phenolic acids, and long-chain fatty acids, with representative compounds such as glucoraphanin, quercetin- and kaempferol-derived glycosides, p-coumaric and ferulic acids, and α-linolenic, linoleic, and erucic acids. UAE enhanced phytochemical diversity, particularly in water extracts, increasing detected compounds from 16 to 30. Total phenolic and flavonoid contents ranged from 15.80 to 24.07 mg GAE per g and from 2.06 to 31.53 mg RE per g, respectively. In antioxidant assays, MeOH extracts showed the highest DPPH activity (8.55 mg TE per g), whereas EtOAc-UAE exhibited the strongest CUPRAC and metal-chelating activities (45.67 mg TE per g and 22.14 mg EDTAE per g). In enzyme inhibition assays, MeOH-UAE showed the highest acetylcholinesterase inhibition (1.99 mg GALAE per g), while EtOAc-UAE was most active against butyrylcholinesterase, α-amylase, and α-glucosidase (3.97 mg GALAE per g, 0.89 mmol ACAE per g, and 0.64 mmol ACAE per g). EtOAc extracts were the only fractions active against Bacillus subtilis (6.7 and 8.7 mm for EtOAc-MAC and EtOAc-UAE), while EtOAc-UAE reduced Staphylococcus aureus biofilm formation to 13.6% of the control. EtOAc-UAE also showed the strongest cytotoxicity in MDA-MB-231 and PC-3 cells (IC₅₀: 306.3 and 389.6 µg mL^-1), with RT-qPCR confirming approximately 2-fold bax and 3-fold LC3B upregulation. These findings demonstrate that solvent polarity and extraction method critically determine the phytochemical and biological profiles of D. tenuifolia extracts.

Objective: The aim of this study was to comparatively analyze the in vitro free radical scavenging and enzyme inhibitory activities along with the phytochemical content of Cistus creticus L.Materials and Methods: The antioxidant and anti-enzyme effects were investigated using 2,2-diphenylpicrylhydrazyl (DPPH)/2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline)-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS) radicals and 5-lipoxygenase (LOX)/ hyaluronidase inhibition methods. The total phenolic, flavonoid, and triterpenoid contents were tested using standard procedures. Phytochemical analysis was performed using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC).Results: C. creticus ethyl acetate extract (CCEA) with 12.24 and 73.89 µg/mL IC50 values showed the strongest activity against ABTS and DPPH radicals, respectively. CCW (C. creticus water extract) with 66.16 µg/mL IC50 value showed the best anti-5-LOX activity. CCE (C. creticus ethanol extract) with 90.29 µg/mL IC50 value exhibited the strongest inhibitory effect against the hyaluronidase enzyme. The highest contents of total phenolic and flavonoid were detected in CCEA, whereas the highest total triterpenoid content was calculated in C. creticus hexane extract (CCH). In HPLC analysis, gallic acid and rutin were determined in CCE and CCEA; gallic acid and vanillic acid in CCW.Conclusion: This is the first study on the anti-hyaluronidase and anti-LOX effects of C. creticus . These results indicated that CCEA, CCW, and CCE exhibited strong antioxidant, good anti-inflammatory and anti-hyaluronidase activities, respectively.

Antibiotic resistance poses a significant problem in the treatment of infections. Plants, with their rich content, may contain compounds that can be used for this purpose. The dried flowers of Achillea setacea Waldst. et Kit. are prepared as an infusion and used internally for hemorrhoids, as an anti-diarrheal and wound healing agent, and also against abdominal pain. The antioxidant activities of different extracts and extract-loaded gel formulations of A. setacea were determined using DPPH, FRAP, and CUPRAC methods, and the total phenolic content was determined using FCR methods. The antimicrobial efficacy of the different extracts and the extract-loaded gel formulation was investigated using agar well diffusion and microdilution methods. The chloroform extract of A. setacea was selected for gel production due to its significant antioxidant activity (particularly iron(III) ion reducing activity), broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity, and efficacy against Staphylococcus species identified as primary causative agents of wound and skin infections. A pharmaceutical gel was prepared from the obtained chloroform extract using alginate, a natural polymer, characterized by FTIR, subjected to in vitro release testing, and its antimicrobial and antioxidant activities were evaluated. According to the findings, although the antimicrobial and antioxidant activity of the produced gel was lower than that observed at the extract level, it was determined that its antimicrobial and antioxidant efficacy was preserved. Based on these results, it is thought that A. setacea-loaded gel could potentially be used in wound treatment due to its antimicrobial and antioxidant activities after the completion of cytotoxic studies.

Today, antimicrobial resistance and difficulties in treating infectious diseases and economic losses have increased scientists' interest in herbal medicines. Teucrium polium L. is widely used as a medicinal plant in traditional medicine, and therefore, determining the biological activities of this plant is important. This study aimed to reveal the antimicrobial, antibiofilm and antiurease activities of T. polium commonly known as “Acıyavşan” and these effects of T. polium petroleum ether, chloroform, methanol extracts on 6 standard pathogenic microorganisms (Escherichia coli ATCC 11229, Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 27853, Salmonella typhimurium ATCC 14028, Klebsiella pneumoniae ATCC 4352, Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 6538 and Candida albicans ATCC 10231). Antimicrobial activity potential of plant extracts was detected by the Agar well diffusion method and Minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC)s were determined for extracts with antimicrobial activity. Additionally, the antibiofilm effect of T. polium extracts was assessed by crystal violet staining. Antiurease activity was determined spectrophotometrically. T. polium petroleum ether and methanol extracts had antimicrobial activities against C. albicans (0.47 mg/ml, 7.5 mg/ml) and S. aureus (1.88 mg/ml, 0.94 mg/ml). In addition, all of the T. polium extracts showed antimicrobial activity against P. aeruginosa and antibiofilm activity against E. coli, P. aeruginosa and S. aureus. The highest antiurease activity of T. polium was found as 62.23±2.33 μg/mL in the methanol extract. Consequently, T. polium extracts exhibits significant biological activities against various microorganisms that are human pathogens. The high potential of T. polium may shed light for future studies in the discovery of new compounds that can stop or slow down the growth of pathogenic microorganisms.

Medicinal plants remain central to traditional healthcare, yet their increasing integration into modern pharmacology necessitates robust toxicological evaluation. Origanum majorana L. (sweet marjoram), widely used in culinary and folk medicine, contains diverse secondary metabolites with both therapeutic and potential genotoxic activities. Despite its popularity, systematic in vivo and in vitro safety assessments remain limited. This study aimed to comprehensively evaluate the acute oral toxicity, cytotoxicity, and genotoxicity of O. majorana methanolic extract, providing baseline toxicological data to support its safe traditional use and potential pharmaceutical applications. The methanol extract of O. majorana leaves was tested in NIH-3T3 fibroblasts for cytotoxicity and genotoxicity. In vivo acute oral toxicity was assessed in rats according to OECD Guideline 420, with animals monitored over 14 days for clinical signs, hematological and biochemical alterations, and histopathological changes. The extract preserved fibroblast viability above 90% across all tested concentrations (10–200 µg/mL), indicating absence of cytotoxicity. However, comet and micronucleus assays revealed dose-dependent DNA damage, suggesting genotoxic potential at higher exposures. In vivo, no mortality or overt systemic toxicity was observed at doses up to 2000 mg/kg. Hematological analyses showed immunomodulatory shifts (increased neutrophils and monocytes, reduced eosinophils), while biochemical profiles indicated hepatoprotective and cardioprotective effects, with reduced ALT, AST, and LDH levels. Histopathological evaluation revealed only mild, focal changes consistent with adaptive rather than irreversible responses. O. majorana extract demonstrates a favorable acute safety profile with preserved hepatic and renal function, hematological modulation, and absence of in vitro cytotoxicity. Nevertheless, dose-dependent genotoxicity warrants caution for concentrated formulations. According to GHS classification, the extract aligns with Category 5 (acute oral toxicity, lowest hazard) and Category 2 (germ cell mutagenicity). These findings underscore the importance of dose management and further long-term genotoxicity studies before translational applications in nutraceutical or biomedical fields.

Background/Objectives: Thymus longicaulis subsp. chaubardii (TL) (Rchb.f.) Jalas is widely used in traditional Turkish medicine for respiratory, digestive and uro-genital disorders. The aim of this study was to determine its phytochemical profile and to evaluate its cytotoxic, genotoxic and acute oral toxicity effects. Methods: The phenolic composition of the methanolic extract was determined by HPLC-DAD. Cytotoxicity and genotoxicity were evaluated in NIH3T3 cells using MTT, comet and micronucleus assays. Acute toxicity was evaluated in rats at doses of 300 and 2000 mg/kg body weight according to the OECD Guideline 420. Results: Rosmarinic acid (87.37 ± 5.39 µg/mg) was the major phenolic compound. TL extract showed >90% cell viability at 50–200 µg/mL, indicating no cytotoxicity. Comet assay revealed a slight increase in DNA damage at 100–200 µg/mL (p < 0.001), though significantly lower than the H₂O₂ group (p < 0.001). No significant (p > 0.05) effect was observed in the micronucleus assay between the treated groups. In rats, TL extract caused no mortality or behavioral changes over 14 days. No significant differences were observed in body or organ weights. Hematologically, platelet count increased (p < 0.001) and eosinophils decreased (p < 0.01 and p < 0.001). Biochemical tests showed lower ALT and AST levels (p < 0.01 and p < 0.05, respectively) and significantly decreased triglycerides in the high-dose group (p < 0.001). Histopathological examination showed no organ damage. Conclusions: The results of this study indicate that TL methanol extract is non-toxic up to 2000 mg/kg and exhibits no significant cytotoxic or genotoxic effects. These findings support its safe use and traditional medicinal value.

This ethnobotanical pharmaceutical study was carried out in the Yeniçağa district of Bolu Province, situated in northwest Anatolia. Our objectives were to gather and identify taxa utilized by locals for medicinal purposes, and to provide insights into traditional folk medicine practices. The collecting of plants took place during several excursions made between May 2017 and September 2018. The collected data were organized based on use reports (UR). As well, calculations were made for the cultural importance index (CI) and informative consensus factor (F_IC) of the data. The study identified 92 plant taxa belonging to 34 families utilized as folk medicine. According to the URs, the findings indicate that plants were predominantly employed for treating wounds, colds, diabetes, headaches, diarrhea and as sedatives. The CI values revealed that the most prominent medicinal plant species were Hypericum perforatum L. (0.59), Thymus longicaulis subsp. longicaulis C. Presl. (0.59), Rubus aetnicus Weston (0.55), Rosa canina L. (0.51), and Papaver rhoeas L. (0.49). The most prevalent families included Asteraceae (17.4%), Lamiaceae (10.9%) and Rosaceae (7.6%). Neurological system disorders (0.87), endocrine/metabolic and nutritional system disorders (0.85), skin disorders (0.84), respiratory system disorders (0.80) and cardiovascular system disorders (0.79) had the highest FIC values. Within the research area, 12 taxa were recorded for the first time as being used medicinally in Türkiye. Traditional medicine remains prevalent within the community, particularly in rural villages of the research area.

Rubus species exhibit potent antioxidant properties due to their high phenolic compound content. In our study, phytochemical composition of the extract obtained from roots of Rubus discolor (RDE) was determined using LC-MS/MS. Subsequently, effect of this extract on lipid accumulation was investigated in HepG2 liver cells. For this purpose, HepG2 cells were treated with oleic acid to induce lipid accumulation. The effect of RDE on lipid accumulation was assessed using Oil-Red staining and measuring intracellular triglyceride, cholesterol levels. Melatonin was used as a positive control. Enzymes involved in lipid synthesis, including acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC1), fatty acid synthase (FAS), and transcription factor sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1 (SREBP-1c), as well as the antioxidant status, were evaluated by RT-PCR. As dose-dependent, RDE significantly reduced lipid accumulation and each concentrations (25, 50, 100 µg/mL) of RDE showed 78%, 48%, 38% ratio, respectively for Oil Red O staining. TG was found 1.92 ± 0.03, 1.76 ± 0.40, 1.22 ± 0.13, 1.41 ± 0.08 mg/mg protein for oleic acid and each concentrations (25, 50, 100 µg/mL) of RDE, respectively It significantly suppressed ACC1, FAS, and SREBP-1c (p < 0.001, p < 0.001, p < 0.01, respectively) at a dose of 50 µg/mL. The extract also exhibited in vitro strong antioxidant and good anti-inflammatory properties. Pedunculagin isomer, ellagic acid and ellagic acid pentoside compounds were found to be the main compounds of RDE with high total phenolic content. The results indicate that RDE has the potential to prevent lipid accumulation. These findings could provide a basis for further studies on the potential therapeutic effect of Rubus discolor in the treatment of NAFLD.