Exploring the potential of Psephellus huber-morathii (Wagenitz) Wagenitz: A comprehensive UHPLC-MS/MS analysis of phytochemical composition and evaluation of antioxidant, antimicrobial, and antiproliferative activities

Abstract

Aims: Psephellus huber-morathii (PH) is an endemic species in the Eastern Anatolia Region. In this study, besides the biological activities of the 70% methanol extract of PH, its comprehensive phytochemical composition was investigated. Material and methods: The phenolic composition of the PH extract was analyzed using the UHPLC-MS/MS method. To evaluate its antimicrobial characteristics, the microdilution technique was employed. The antioxidant capabilities, total phenolic and flavonoid contents of the extract were determined using the spectrophotometer. Additionally, the effects of the extracts on cell proliferation and NCI-60 survival parameter values were assessed using the MTT assay. Results: Quinic acid and chlorogenic acid were major compounds. The extract showed high antioxidant activity in DPPH (IC50:13.9±0.4 μg mL-1) and FRAP (61.3±2.3 mg TE g extract-1) methods. The total phenolic and flavonoid contents of the extract were found as 52.2±1.9 mg GAE g extract-1 and 28.6±0.9 mg QE g extract-1, respectively. Discussion: The extract showed low antiproliferative activity against normal lung and retinal cell lines, promising anticancer effect on gynecological and colon cancer cells, and moderate antimicrobial activity against Bacillus cereus and Enterococcus faecium. Conclusions: The study demonstrated the medicinal potential and value of PH extract against infectious diseases and cancer.