Comprehensive Analysis of Trace Elements, Amino Acids, and Antioxidant Potential of Verbascum orientale

This study aims to investigate the trace element composition, amino acid profile, and antioxidant activity of Verbascum orientale, a medicinal plant in Erzincan, Türkiye. The root and stem extracts were analyzed using ICP-MS to determine trace element levels, while LC-MS/MS was employed for amino acid profiling. Additionally, the antioxidant activities of methanol: water (70:30, v:v) extracts were evaluated using DPPH, FRAP, total phenolic content (TPC), and total flavonoid content (TFC) assays. The findings indicate that Verbascum orientale contains significant levels of sodium (Na) and silicon (Si), suggesting an adaptive response to arid and stressful environmental conditions. In addition, the plant exhibited high levels of amino acids such as L-proline, L-glutamine, and L-asparagine, which are essential for osmotic regulation and stress adaptation. A high iron (Fe) content suggests potential nutritional benefits, while the presence of aluminum (Al) raises concerns about possible toxicity. Despite its diverse phytochemical profile, Verbascum orientale exhibited moderate antioxidant activity compared to other Verbascum species, with the root extract demonstrating a stronger radical scavenging effect than the stem. These results underscore the importance of further research to evaluate the medicinal and nutritional applications of Verbascum orientale, particularly in terms of bioavailability and safety.