AN IN VITRO ASSESSMENT OF THE BIOACTIVE, CYTOTOXIC, AND ANTIDIABETIC POTENTIAL OF DIFFERENT PARTS OF TUMBLEWEED (GUNDELIA TOURNEFORTII L.)

This study aimed to investigate the physicochemical properties, bioactive compounds, cytotoxicity, and antidiabetic potential of the tumbleweed plant’s roots (TR), stems & leaves (TSL), and flowers (TF). Results indicated TF as the richest part in bioactive compounds and antioxidant capacity, with the highest crude protein (13.91%), crude oil (15.50%), total phenolic content (214.64 mg GAE/g), total monomeric anthocyanin content (1132.96 mg/g), ABTS (25.48 mg TE/g), CUPRAC (203.92 mg TE/g), and FRAP (32.63 µmol Fe²⁺E/g) activities. Mineral contents varied, with Mg, K, and Ca present in significant amounts across all parts. TF also showed the highest α-glucosidase (61.99%) and α-amylase (54.92%) inhibition, suggesting strong antidiabetic potential. Cytotoxicity was weak across samples, with IC50 values ranging from 1049.76 to 1641.08 μg/ mL against HEK-293 and Caco-2 cells. These findings highlight TF as the most bioactive and nutritionally rich part of the tumbleweed plant.