Antioxidant, Anti-Inflammatory, Acetylcholinesterase Inhibitory and Antimicrobial Activities of Turkish EndemicCentaurea antiochiavar.Praealta

The antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitory and antimicrobial activities of extract from the Centaurea antiochia Boiss. var. praealta (Boiss. & Bal.) Wagenitz, an endemic plant species from Turkey, were investigated. The results indicated that the extract inhibits FeCl3/ascorbic acid-induced phosphatidylcholine liposome oxidation, scavenges stable 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) cation radicals, and reduces Fe3+ to Fe2+ in the ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assay. The extract inhibited AChE and both cyclooxygenase (COX)-1 and COX-2, which suggests this species might be a potential source of plant-derived anti-inflammatory and anti-AChE substances. The extract may also act as an antimicrobial agent because it inhibited the growth of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria as well as yeast. These findings may scientifically explain some uses of this species in Turkish folk medicine as an antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and wound healing agent. Practical Applications The Centaurea species are known by the vernacular name “peygamber cicegi” in Turkish folk medicine. Ethnobotanical reports indicate the Centaurea species have antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, wound healing, digestive, stomachic, diuretic, astringent, hypotensive, antipyretic, laxative, analgesic, tonic, hemostatic and antibacterial properties. Considering the important role oxidative stress and inflammation play in the pathogenesis of neurological diseases, C. antiochia var. praealta may be used as a medicinal plant to treat Alzheimer's disease. This study also confirms the efficacy of this plant as a natural antimicrobial agent.