LC-ESI-MS/MS-based phytochemicals and cytotoxic, antioxidant, and enzyme inhibitory activities of Scorzonera mollis subsp. szowitzii: A new reserve of bioactive compounds

Abstract

Scorzonera L. species are important species used in folk medicine against as hypertension, arteriosclerosis, diabetes, kidney diseases, and rheumatism. In this study, phytochemical compounds, cytotoxic (against DLD-1 (colorectal cancer) and CCD-18Co (human colon fibroblast cell line)), antioxidant and enzyme inhibitory (against cholinesterases, tyrosinase, urease, alpha-amylase, and alpha-glucosidase) activities of various extracts of Scorzonera mollis subsp. szowitzii were investigated. LC-ESI-MS/MS analysis led to screen 56 phytochemical compounds with predominance of chlorogenic acid in acetone (0.118 +/- 0.010 mu g/mg) and methanol (34.105 +/- 0.012 mu g/mg) extracts and gallic acid (0.153 +/- 0.008 mu g/mg) in water extract. The methanol extract showed superior cytotoxic activity on DLD-1 with IC50 value of 19.46 +/- 0.36 mu g/ml. The highest antioxidant activity was recorded in methanol extract in beta-carotene linoleic, DPPH center dot, ABTS(center dot+), CUPRAC, and phosphomolybdenum assays with IC50 values of 16.23 +/- 0.98, 68.55 +/- 0.24, 40.32 +/- 0.27, 241.66 +/- 0.01, and 95.65 +/- 0.78 mu g/ml, respectively. All extracts exhibited varying degrees of enzyme inhibitory activity, while hexane extract (89.18 +/- 0.84%) showed a degree of urease inhibitory activity to exceed the standard (78.93 +/- 0.18%). Novelty impact statement Since the side effects of synthetic origin drugs have reached levels that cannot be ignored, the interest in scientific studies on plants and their bioactive properties has deepened. In this study, it was planned to investigate the phytochemical profile and bioactive properties of S. mollis subsp. szowitzii, a member of Scorzonera genus used as food and drugs in traditional medicine. In addition to being the first to point out the potential of S. mollis subsp. szowitzii as a natural food additive, this study proved its medicinal importance by uncovering bioactive compounds and properties.