DNA- Binding, Biological Activities and Chemical Composition of Wild Growing Epilobium angustifolium L. Extracts from Canakkale, Turkey

Abstract

The usage of Epilobium angustifolium L. in folk medicine against prostate and dermal diseases encouraged us to investigate pBR322 DNA-binding ability, biol. activities and chem. composition of wild growing Epilobium angustifolium L.'s methanolic, ethanolic and aqueous extracts from Canakkale, Turkey. DNA-binding activity was studied by agarose gel electrophoresis and chem. composition via GC, GC-MS, HPLC, LC-MS, ICP-MS, and AAS. A detailed literature survey indicates no data on pBR322 plasmid DNA interaction of Epilobium species which is an important criterion for being a potential anticancer agent. Antibacterial and antifungal effects were tested against 11 bacteria and 3 fungi and compared with ampicillin, chloramphenicol, and ketoconazole by agar well diffusion techniques. Total phenolic content was found by Folin-Ciocalteu method, and antioxidant activity was obtained by DPPH and Fe(II)-FZ (ferric-ferrozine) methods. This plant is rich in flavonoids, hormones, fatty acids, and phenolic acids. Si, K, Mg, P, and Mn were the main inorganic elements. Epilobium angustifolium L. with its high DNA-binding activity and rich chem. composition can be an excellent potential anticancer, antimicrobial and antioxidant prodrug.