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Comprehensive evaluation of Onosma rostellatum: antioxidant, enzyme inhibitory and anticancer properties of root and
İsmail Şen1, Tuğçe Karaduman Yeşildal1, Ako Hamasaeed Abdulqadir1
1Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aksaray University, Aksaray, Turkey.
Background:
The incidence and mortality of diseases such as cancer, Alzheimer's, and diabetes have increased in recent years. Along with limited treatment success, severe side effects of synthetic drugs are a major concern. Therefore, natural bioactive compounds are gaining attention as alternative therapeutic agents due to their efficacy and lower toxicity. This study investigated the protective and therapeutic potential of extracts of different parts of Onosma rostellatum, a plant used in traditional medicine, in terms of their antioxidant, enzyme inhibitory and anticancer activities.
Results:
Antioxidant, enzyme inhibition, anticancer activities and phenolic composition of the extracts were evaluated. Methanol leaf extract showed the strongest activity in antioxidant assays, with the highest 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (46.59 ± 0.03 g Trolox equivalents (TE) kg-1) and ferric reducing antioxidant power (90.74 ± 0.59 g TE kg-1) activities, while the root methanol extract exhibited the strongest 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid radical scavenging activity (453.86 ± 2.20 g TE kg-1) and the highest cupric reducing antioxidant capacity value (243.64 ± 0.49 g TE kg-1). The aqueous leaf extract demonstrated superior metal-chelating ability (32.59 ± 0.13 g ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid kg-1). Leaf extracts displayed the highest copper ion reducing capacity (94.64 ± 0.23 g TE kg-1). Ethyl acetate leaf extracts showed the most significant inhibition against α-amylase and α-glucosidase. High-performance liquid chromatographic analysis revealed rosmarinic acid and quercetin as major phenolic constituents. In cell culture experiments, the ethyl acetate leaf extract demonstrated the most potent anticancer effect, with an IC50 value of 167.2 ± 0.32 μg mL-1 after 72 h.
Conclusion:
Onosma rostellatum extracts possess strong antioxidant, enzyme inhibitory and anticancer activities, largely associated with their phenolic components. These findings highlight the potential of this plant as a natural source of therapeutic agents. © 2025 Society of Chemical Industry.
Insights
Onosma rostellatum extracts show significant antioxidant, enzyme inhibitory, and anticancer properties. These findings support its potential as a natural therapeutic agent with lower toxicity compared to synthetic drugs.
Area of Science:
- Phytochemistry
- Pharmacology
- Natural Product Chemistry
Background:
- Rising incidence and mortality of diseases like cancer, Alzheimer's, and diabetes.
- Concerns regarding limited efficacy and severe side effects of synthetic drugs.
- Growing interest in natural bioactive compounds as safer therapeutic alternatives.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the antioxidant, enzyme inhibitory, and anticancer potential of Onosma rostellatum extracts.
- To evaluate extracts from different plant parts for their therapeutic properties.
- To identify key phenolic constituents responsible for the observed bioactivities.
Main Methods:
- Extraction of Onosma rostellatum parts using various solvents (methanol, ethyl acetate, aqueous).
- Assessment of antioxidant activities using assays like DPPH, FRAP, ABTS, and CUPRAC.
- Enzyme inhibition assays for α-amylase and α-glucosidase.
- Anticancer activity evaluation using cell culture experiments (IC50 determination).
- High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) for phenolic compound analysis.
Main Results:
- Methanol leaf extract exhibited potent antioxidant activity (DPPH, FRAP).
- Root methanol extract showed strong radical scavenging (ABTS) and reducing capacity (CUPRAC).
- Ethyl acetate leaf extract demonstrated significant inhibition of α-amylase and α-glucosidase, and potent anticancer effects (IC50 = 167.2 μg/mL).
- Rosmarinic acid and quercetin identified as major phenolic constituents.
Conclusions:
- Onosma rostellatum extracts possess significant antioxidant, enzyme inhibitory, and anticancer activities.
- The observed bioactivities are largely attributed to the plant's phenolic components.
- These findings underscore the potential of Onosma rostellatum as a valuable natural source for therapeutic agents.
