Assessment of cytotoxic, apoptotic, enzyme inhibitory, and antioxidant properties, and phytochemical characterization of ethanolic extract from Cionura erecta

Abstract

This study examined the ethanolic extract of Cionura erecta (CEE) to analyze its phytochemical composition and biological activity. Chemical composition was determined using Exactive Plus Orbitrap HPLC-HRMS and GC-MS spectrometers. Antioxidant activity was assessed through tests including DPPH, ABTS radical scavenging, CUPRAC, FRAP, metal chelating, and phosphomolybdenum assays.The study evaluated the inhibitory effects of CEE on enzymes such as acetylcholinesterase, butyrylcholinesterase, tyrosinase, amylase, and glucosidase. Anticancer effects on MCF-7 human breast cancer cells were demonstrated using neutral red viability and clonogenic assays, along with cell migration and wound healing analyses. Apoptotic activity was assessed through Caspase-3 ELISA, AO/EB dual staining, and analysis of protein expression levels including cPARP, p53, Bcl-2, Bax, and p21. Among the 92 identified compounds, 29 glycoside flavonoids (e.g., schaftoside, vicenin-2, rutin hydrate, nicotiflorin, and narcissin) and 27 lipophilic compounds (e.g., oleic acid, linoleic acid, α-linolenic acid, and palmitoleic acid) were highlighted. The extract's high content of phenolic, lipophilic, and flavonoid compounds contributes to its strong antioxidant properties and enzyme-inhibitory effects. Total phenolic and flavonoid contents of CEE were measured as 31.48 mg GAE/g, and 3.74 mg RE/g, respectively. The extract was found to effectively scavenge DPPH and ABTS radicals and exhibit strong reducing power, thus possessing antioxidant capacity. Treatments with CEE were found to reduce cell viability, suppress colony formation, inhibit cell migration, and induce DNA damage and apoptosis by regulating apoptosis-related proteins. The IC₅₀ value of CEE in the MCF-7 cell line was determined as 149.9 ± 6.2 μg/mL. These results suggest that new perspectives can be significantly supported in the development of food supplements and treatment approaches for diseases such as cancer based on C. erecta.