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In this study, the antioxidant (DPPH and ABTS radical-scavenging, ferric-reducing, iron (II)-chelating), anti-inflammatory (LPS-induced Raw 264.7 cell line), and cytotoxic activities (Du145 and A549 cell lines) of raw fruit, ripe fruit and leaves of the Lycium ferocissimum species were examined. By using high-pressure liquid chromatography, p-OH benzoic acid, caffeic acid, and rutin were detected in the ethanol and water extracts. For the most active raw fruit ethanol extract, the IC50 in terms of the DPPH-scavenging activity was 0.57 mg/mL, and the ABTS inhibition percentage was 88.73% at a 3 mg/mL concentration. The raw fruit ethanol extract exhibited significant inhibition of viability in the Du145 cell line in the concentration range of 62.5–1000 µg/mL. Additionally, the extract effectively reduced the LPS-induced inflammation parameters (TNF-α, IFN-γ, PGE 2, and NO) at a concentration of 31.25 µg/mL. The biological activities of L. ferocissimum, which have been elucidated for the first time, have yielded promising results.

The genus Teucrium belonging to the Lamiaceae family, grows in the Eastern Mediterranean region from Turkey to Palestine. Teucrium divaricatum Kotschy ssp. canescens (Celak.) is an endemic plant in North Cyprus. Herbal parts of Teucrium is used as an infusion for stomachic purposes as traditional medicine in Cyprus. Infusion of this plant is used orally in case of fever and common cold, also in association with inhalation of the steam. Externally, the infusion of the plant is also used in wound healing. In this study, the 70% methonolic extract of T. divaricatum ssp. canescens herba was fractionated by using ethyl acetate (TDE) and buthanol (TDB). TDE and TDB extracts of herbal parts of the plant were used in different concentrations to assess the anti-carcinogenic activity on liver adenocarcinoma cell line SK-HEP-1 using MTT assay. Results showed that both fractions have cytotoxic effects on SK-HEP-1 cells with different levels.

The Arum L. in the Araceae family belongs to flowering plants. It is represented by 14 species and four varieties. In total, there are 18 taxa in Turkey. Arum rupicola Boiss. var. rupicola is one of taxa among them. Traditionally, boiled and dried leaves are used as food supplement in folk medicine in Turkey. In our previous study, the results showed that different extracts of tubers have varying levels of anticholinesterase activity. In this study, anti-carcinogenic activities were evaluated of the hexane, ethyl acetate, 70% methanol and distilled water extracts of A. rupicolaa var. rupicola on SK-HEP-1 adenocarcinoma cell line. MTT and wound healing assays were used to assess cytotoxicity and 2D cell motility, respectively. Results showed that distilled water extract has the maximum potency and consistent cytotoxic and anti-motility effects on SK-HEP-1 cells.

Phlomis is a large genus in the Lamiaceae family with over 100 species distributed throughout Europe, Asia and North Africa. Some species of Phlomis are used in folk medicine as a stimulant, tonic, and for wound healing. Many studies have shown that different Phlomis species have anti‐inflammatory, immunosuppressive, free radical scavenging, antimicrobial, anti-ulcerogenic and anti-mutagenic activities. Among these species, Phlomis brevibracteata, Turrill, is an endemic plant which grows in Kyrenia, Karpasia, Nicosia and Limassol regions of Cyprus. In our previous studies, we found that methanol extract (PBM) has anti-carcinogenic activity, in terms of cytotoxicity and 2D motility inhibition. In this study, we tried to find out potential anti-carcinogenic activity of hexane (PBH), ethyl acetate (PBE) and butanol (PBB) sub-crude extracts of the methanol-extracts of the same plant. PBH, PBE and PBB extracts of herbal parts of the plant were used in different concentrations to assess the anti-carcinogenic activity on liver adenocarcinoma cell SK-HEP-1. MTT and wound healing assays were carried out to determine anti-cancinogenic activities. Our findings showed that all three extracts have negative effects on cell viability and motility with different levels. Among these extracts, PBE and PBH extracts were more potent than PBB in terms of IC50 values.