Effect of ascorbic acid on phenolic content and antioxidant activity of Carthamus tinctorius L. cultivars: An in vitro comparative analysis

Climate changes are resulting in water scarcity, necessitating the cultivation of important crops that fulfill food demands and provide other benefits to humanity. Safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.), a Rabi crop, is rich in several important compounds with potential use in pharmacology, agriculture and industry. The diverse profiles of mono- and polyunsaturated fats render it a valuable oilseed crop. The present research is structured into 2 sections. In phase I, we examined the effects of exogenously administered ascorbic acid (AsA) on the phenolic compounds, osmoprotectants and antioxidants of 2 safflower cultivars (Thori-76 and CV-256) under drought stress conditions. The cultivar CV-256 exhibited elevated total phenolic content in less-watered circumstances due to the application of exogenous ascorbic acid. Antioxidant enzymes, including catalase, peroxidase and superoxide dismutase (SOD), were activated under conditions of water deficiency. Both cultivars exhibited a marked increase in superoxide dismutase activity due to the use of foliar ascorbic acid. The second part of the study focuses on the antioxidative and hepatoprotective characteristics of safflowers by blocking HCV entrance into cells and identifying its potential compounds efficient for NS3/4 inhibition. In vitro research demonstrated that both cultivars had substantial antioxidative capability and inhibited viral entrance into cells. In silico analyses found Coumaroyl, Hydroxyarctigenin and Pinoresinol as prospective antagonists of NS3/4. It was also shown that p-coumaroyl, an antioxidant, exhibited strongest bonding affinity with the receptor protein.