Antioxidant and Antiproliferative Activities of Three Endemic Scrophularia Species: S. erzincanica, S. subaequiloba, and S. libanotica var. armena

In this study, methanolic extracts from the aerial parts and roots of three endemic Scrophularia species (Scrophularia erzincanica, Scrophularia subaequiloba, and Scrophularia libanotica var. armena) were evaluated for their antioxidant and antiproliferative activities. Antioxidant potential was determined through total phenolic and flavonoid content, DPPH radical scavenging, and FRAP assays. Antiproliferative effects were assessed against A549 (lung) and MDA-MB-453 (breast) cancer cells using the XTT assay. S. libanotica var. armena had the highest total phenolic content (129.48 mg GAE/g), while S. subaequiloba showed the strongest FRAP activity (200.67 µg TE/g) and DPPH radical scavenging (IC50: 36.83 µg/mL). S. subaequiloba extracts exhibited 83% inhibition against A549 cells and 87% against MDA-MB-453 cells. HPLC–DAD analysis revealed high verbascoside content in S. libanotica var. armena (101.24 mg/g). These findings highlight S. libanotica var. armena as a potent antioxidant source and S. subaequiloba as a promising anticancer agent. © 2025 Wiley-VHCA AG, Zurich, Switzerland.