Evaluation of changes in the biological activity of Onosma Sericeum Willd (Boraginaceae) based on collection time and extraction solvent, and determination of its mineral and trace element composition

Abstract

In this study, total phenol, flavonoid, and free radical scavenging activity of Onosma Sericeum Willd (Boraginaceae), a plant grown in Turkey and traditionally used for wound healing, were determined by using spectrophotometric methods. Its cytotoxic effect on breast cancer cells (MCF-7) was investigated. Furthermore, mineral and trace element composition of the plant roots, collected in different times, was determined by using inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy (ICP-MS). Onosma Sericeum Willd, which was collected in Besni region, Adıyaman in May, June and July and dried properly, was extracted by using different solvents in the study. Total phenol content of the extracts was calculated by using the Folin-Ciocalteu method in gallic acid equivalent as 58.42±0.13–93.34±0.68 mg (GAE)/g. The flavonoid content was calculated as 21.79±1.3–60.33±0.36 mg (KUE)/g in quercetin equivalent by using the aluminum chloride method. Free radical scavenging activity was measured spectrophotometrically by using the 2,2-diphenyl-1- picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay. DPPH radical scavenging activity rates were found to be in the range of 60.27±0.06-78.60±0.21% in the form of % inhibition. It was observed that extracts which were prepared by using ethanol produced the cytotoxic effect on the MCF-7 cancer cells depending on the dosage. It was concluded that the rates of phenol, flavonoid, free radical scavenging activity, and cytotoxic effect differed based on the solvent used for extraction and the time of plant collection. Moreover, trace element and mineral composition of the plant samples, collected in different times, were determined.