Fırat, Mehmet Çağlar; Akşit, Zeynep; Şimşek, Samed; Altın, Sevgi; Yıldız, İlyas; Akşit, Hüseyin

Propolis is recognized for its biological activities; however, its chemical composition varies according to environmental conditions, which presents challenges for quality standardization and biological evaluation. Although propolis has been widely investigated, information regarding variation among samples collected from geographically close locations within the same region is limited. Therefore, this study investigated whether propolis samples obtained from different locations within Erzincan Province exhibit differences in chemical composition and biological activities and evaluated the relationship between environmental conditions and propolis characteristics. Eleven propolis samples collected from Erzincan, Türkiye, were analyzed for phenolic composition, antioxidant capacity, antimicrobial activity, acetylcholinesterase (AChE), butyrylcholinesterase (BChE), and α-glucosidase inhibitory activities. Twenty-eight compounds were identified, with gallic acid, protocatechuic acid, chlorogenic acid, hydroxybenzaldehyde, caffeic acid, and vanillin detected as major constituents. AChE inhibitory activity varied between 1.28 and 6.44 µg/mL, while BChE inhibitory activity varied between 1.85 and 9.66 µg/mL. All samples exhibited antibacterial activity. Total phenolic and flavonoid contents were 141.70–255.04 mg GAE/g extract and 30.48–93.81 mg QE/g extract, respectively. The KMH sample showed the antioxidant activity. The results demonstrated variation in phytochemical composition and biological activities among propolis samples collected within the same province, indicating associations between flora, environmental conditions, propolis quality, and bioactivity.

Güven, Zühal Bayrakçeken; Yilmaz, Mustafa Abdullah; Inceer, Huseyin

In this study, the enzyme inhibition and antioxidant capacity of Achillea biserrata were determined, and their relationship with cytotoxic effects was investigated. Antiproliferative activity was evaluated by the MTT assay in L929, A549, B16F10, Hep-3B, PC-3, MCF-7, and CaCo-2 cell lines, and enzyme inhibition was assessed against tyrosinase, urease, PTP-1B, and DPP-4. Ethanol extracts showed the greatest bioactivity, whereas water extracts were the least active. The capitulum ethanol extract (CEE) exhibited the strongest inhibition of tyrosinase, urease, DPP-4, and PTP-1B (IC50: 72.83, 40.84, 70.12, and 302.42 µg/mL, respectively) and the highest cytotoxicity (IC50: 168.42–325.42 µg/mL). LC-MS/MS analysis identified quinic acid as the major constituent in the stem (44.614 mg/g extract) and capitulum (2.063 mg/g extract), and chlorogenic acid in the leaves (45.502 mg/g extract). Principal component analysis (PCA) integrating LC-MS/MS and bioactivity data supported the bioactive potential of A. biserrata, highlighting its promise as a pharmaceutical resource.

Bayrak, Burak; Güneş, Ferhat; Akyüz, Beyzanur; Beyza Özer, Elif; Abdulqader, Amenah Imad; Çivaş, Ayşe; Küçüksu, İsranur; Sönmez, Hatice Rümeysa; Çeçen, Ömer; Aydın, Bilge

This study comparatively evaluated the phytochemical composition and bioactivities of methanolic extracts and aqueous decoctions obtained from seeds of two Fabaceae taxa (Gonocytisus angulatus, Podocytisus caramanicus). Aqueous decoction yielded higher extraction efficiencies (up to 39.20%), whereas methanolic extraction recovered a broader range of phenolic compounds. Phytochemical analysis revealed that flavonoids and phenolic acids were the dominant constituents, with chlorogenic acid, rutin, quercetin, kaempferol, and gallic acid as the major compounds, particularly enriched in methanolic extracts. In vitro assays demonstrated moderate enzyme inhibitory effects. The highest α-glucosidase inhibition was observed in the methanolic extract (20.22%), while α-amylase inhibition reached 30.11%. Anticholinesterase activity was also weak, with maximum acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) inhibition values of 15.27% and 19.93%, respectively. In contrast, antioxidant activity was more pronounced, with ABTS radical scavenging reaching 97.40%, comparable to the reference standard. Molecular docking supported these findings by indicating favorable binding interactions of major phenolic compounds with target enzymes.

Akkuş, Rana Elif; Güven, Zühal Bayrakçeken; Yilmaz, Mustafa Abdullah; Cakir, Oguz

Morus nigra has been used in folk medicine and as food since ancient times. In this study, the cytotoxic, antioxidant, urease enzyme, and enzymatic browning inhibitory effects of the fruits and pruning by-product leaves were investigated, and their potential as food additives was evaluated. LC–MS/MS analysis showed that quinic acid (48.904 mg/g extract) was present in the highest amount in the fruit, while isoquercitrin (20.38 mg/g extract) was present in the highest amount in the leaves. According to the MTT method, the leaf ethyl acetate fraction (LEF) showed the highest cytotoxic effect against Hep-3B cells at 400 µg/mL with 48.20% cell viability. The antioxidant capacity of LEF is approximately three times that of Trolox and half that of gallic acid. LEF inhibited urease with IC50: 23.42 ± 2.02 µg/mL and tyrosinase with IC50: 22.88 ± 1.02 µg/mL. With its potent biological effects, M. nigra could be a promising resource for the food industry.

Akbaba, Ezgi; Güneş, Ferhat; Aydın, Bilge; Yuca, Hafize; Karakaya, Songül; Güvenalp, Zühal

Comparative data on different parts of Acca sellowiana and their enzyme-inhibitory mechanisms remain limited. This study evaluated flower, fruit, leaf, and branch extracts using bioactivity-guided LC–MS/MS and molecular docking to clarify their antioxidant and antidiabetic potential. Total phenolic, flavonoid, and tannin contents were measured, antioxidant activity was assessed by DPPH and ABTS assays, and inhibition of α-glucosidase, α-amylase, AChE, BChE was determined. The most active extract was analyzed by validated LC–MS/MS, major compounds were docked with target enzymes. Leaf extract showed the highest phenolics (89.12 µg GAE/mg), flavonoids (1010.67 µg RE/mg), and tannins (152.44 µg TAE/mg). Branch and leaf exhibited strongest antioxidants (DPPH 61.8%/55.5%; ABTS 51.1%/57.2%), surpassing α-tocopherol. Branch extract showed the most potent α-glucosidase inhibition (IC50 107.9 µg/mL vs. acarbose 3081.8 µg/mL). LC–MS/MS revealed high quercetin, epigallocatechin gallate, ellagic, and gallic acids. Results highlight organ-dependent activity and identify plant as a source of natural α-glucosidase inhibitors.

Osma, Etem; Varol, Tuğçe; Şimşek, Samed; Altın, Sevgi; Yılmaz, Mustafa Abdullah; Aydın, Ali; Elveren, Müjgan; Kandemir, Ali

This study presents the phytochemical and biological evaluation of the species Hedysarum yilmazunalii Kandemir, F. Yıldız & H.İ. Turkoğlu. Methanolic extracts from leaves, stems, and roots were characterized by LC-MS/MS, and their antioxidant, enzyme inhibitory, and antiproliferative activities were investigated. The analyses showed organ-specific differences in phenolic composition, with quinic acid as the major compound in leaves together with higher levels of flavonoid glycosides, including astragalin and isoquercitrin. Aerial extracts showed strong enzyme inhibitory activity. Leaf and stem extracts exhibited cholinesterase inhibition, with IC50 values of 5.82 and 6.42 µg/mL for AChE and 5.41 and 5.50 µg/mL for BChE, respectively. The leaf extract showed α-glucosidase inhibitory activity (4.10 µg/mL), comparable to acarbose, and antioxidant activity (DPPH: 6.46 µg/mL), together with the highest phenolic (145.43 mg GAE/g extract) and flavonoid contents (87.20 mg QE/g extract). Antiproliferative assays demonstrated growth inhibition of lung and breast cancer cell lines, with the lowest GI50 values of 1.00 µg/mL for H1650 and 2.34 µg/mL for MDA-MB-231 cells. LDH cytotoxicity remained low (2.25%–12.59%), indicating limited membrane damage in both cancer and normal cells. These findings identify H. yilmazunalii as a source of compounds with antioxidant, neuroprotective, antidiabetic, and anticancer potential.

Akşit, Hüseyin; Aydemir, Emircan; Şimşek, Samed; Akşit, Zeynep; Çetinkaya, Büşra Demir; Kayır, Ömer

The chemical composition and biological activities of Malus domestica ‘Ak Sakı’ fruits cultivated in Erzincan, Türkiye, were analyzed. The aroma profile of the fruits was investigated for the first time. This study aimed to identify the major volatile and phenolic compounds and determine their antioxidant, antimicrobial, and cytotoxicity properties to investigate the potential health benefits of this cultivar. GC-MS analysis identified major volatile compounds, including 1-hexanol (20.54%), benzaldehyde (13.49%), and 1-octanol (6.68%). LC-MS/MS analysis of phenolic compounds in the ethyl acetate fraction revealed high levels of chlorogenic acid (12 802.67 µg/g), catechin (8601.52 µg/g), and quercetin (805.96 µg/g). Among the tested extracts, the ethyl acetate extract exhibited the highest antioxidant activity (47.18 ± 0.92 µg/mL), total phenolic content (70.17 ± 0.28 mg GAE/g extract), and reducing power (90.17 ± 0.71 mg TE/g extract), followed by butanol and diethyl ether extracts. Antimicrobial tests demonstrated varying inhibition zones, with volatile oil being the most effective. In addition, extracts exhibit cytotoxicity potential. The diethyl ether fraction shows the most potent selective cytotoxicity against A549 lung cancer cells. The findings indicate that the ‘Ak Saki’ cultivar contains diverse bioactive compounds with strong antioxidant, cytotoxicity, and antimicrobial properties. This fruit may contribute to the nutritional and health value of the daily diet.

Başaran, Eyüp; Çakmak, Reşit; Türkmenoğlu, Burçin; Akkoc, Senem; Köprü, Semiha

The current study focuses on the synthesis and characterization of six benzenesulfonamide-based Schiff base derivatives (7–12) with various electron-withdrawing and electron-donating substituents (−F, -CI, -Br, −CH3, and −OCH3) and the assessment of their antiproliferative activities against human lung (A549) and liver (HepG2) cancer cell lines using in vitro and in silico approaches. The structures of the synthesized compounds (7–12) were elucidated by elemental analysis and FT-IR, 1D (1H, 13C, APT, and DEPT-135), and 2D (HMQC and HMBC) NMR spectroscopies. The cytotoxic activities of the targeted compounds were determined at various concentrations against these cancer cell lines for 72 h, using the MTT method. The targeted molecules (7–12) demonstrated remarkable antiproliferative activities, with IC50 values ranging from 6.032–9.533 μM against the A549 cell line and 5.244–9.629 μM against the HepG2 cell line. These compounds showed activities at lower or very similar concentrations to cisplatin against the A549 cell line and at much lower concentrations than cisplatin against the HepG2 cell line. Among them, compounds 10 and 12 were found to be more effective against A549 and HepG2 cells, respectively, than cisplatin. These compounds were analyzed by interacting with the 1BNA, 4HJO, and 4ASD crystal structures in molecular docking studies. The docking score of 4ASD-compound 12 interaction was calculated as −4.045 kcal/mol, 4HJO-compound 10 interaction was calculated as −5.179 kcal/mol and 1BNA-compound 10 interaction was calculated as −8.571 kcal/mol and it was determined that these compounds were theoretically better than Cisplatin. In the present study, ADME data were estimated using the web tool SwissADME. With ADME, it was calculated that the logP value of compounds 7–12 was less than 5, the HBD number was 1, the HBA number was 7 or 8, and the molecular weight was less than 500. Properties such as the electrophilic index and chemical hardness of the designed compounds were examined by density functional theory (DFT) using B3LYP/6-311G**. In conclusion, these compounds have emerged as promising new anti-cancer drug candidates.

Şahin, Osman; Kanbolat, Şeyda; Çolak, Nevin Ulaş; Badem, Merve; Subaş, Tuğba; Şener, Sıla Özlem; Korkmaz, Nuriye; Kalaycıoğlu, Atila Taner; Öztürk, Ergün; Sayım, Alperen Ümit

Echinophora genus is represented by six species in Türkiye, including three endemics. The objective of this study was to ascertain the antioxidant, tyrosinase, and collagenase inhibitory activities and to analyse the volatile oil and extracts derived from E. chrysantha using GC/MS/SPME. The antioxidant and enzyme inhibition activities were evaluated using spectrophotometric methods. The findings indicated that the methanol extract of E. chrysantha exhibited the highest antioxidant activity. Furthermore, both the methanol extract and volatile oil of the plant demonstrated potent inhibitory effects on tyrosinase and collagenase. A total of 84 volatile compounds were identified from the hydrodistilled oil obtained using a microwave oven, and 23 compounds were detected by the solid-phase microextraction (SPME) method. The most frequently occurring volatile components were α-Phellandrene, o-Cymene, p-Cymene, E-β-Farnesene, Carotol, trans-Caryophyllene, and β-Phellandrene. The results of this study indicate that E. chrysantha has the potential to be developed for the treatment of hyperpigmentation issues and anti-aging applications. Furthermore, it may also have applications in pharmacology, cosmetics and the food industry.

Baltürk, Nuray; Badem, Merve; Kanbolat, Seyda; Yıldırım, Sercan; Şen, Tuğba Mazlum; Bozdal, Gözde; Yalçın, Can Özgür; Kandemir, Ali; Korkmaz, Nuriye; Karaoglu, Sengul Alpay

Hedysarum species play a crucial agronomic role due to their high feed quality and ability to enhance soil fertility through nitrogen fixation. Traditionally, they have been used in medicine to boost energy, support the immune system, and benefit the peripheral nervous system. However, the biological activity and phytochemical composition of Hedysarum nitidum remain unexplored. This study aimed to evaluate the bioactivity of methanol (HNM) and water (HNW) extracts from the aerial parts of H. nitidum. Antioxidant (total polyphenol and flavonoid contents, 2,2-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl hydrate [DPPH], ferric-reducing antioxidant power [FRAP], Cu (II) ion reducing antioxidant capacity [CUPRAC]), antimicrobial, cytotoxic, and enzyme inhibitory (tyrosinase, cholinesterase, α-glucosidase, α-amylase) activities were assessed. Phytochemical and essential oil compositions were analyzed using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and gas chromatography–mass spectroscophy (GC–MS). HPLC identified p-hydroxybenzoic acid, caffeic acid, and 2-hydroxycinnamic acid, whereas GC–MS detected n-octanal, hexahydrofarnesyl acetone, humulene epoxide-II, α-terpineol, and eicosane. HNW and HNM exhibited strong antioxidant activity and enzyme inhibition, suggesting potential applications in hyperpigmentation, diabetes, and Alzheimer's treatment. HNM showed selective antibacterial activity against Gram-positive bacteria, whereas neither extract exhibited cytotoxicity against A549 cells. These findings highlight H. nitidum as a promising candidate for therapeutic applications.