Investigation of antioxidant, antimicrobial, cytotoxic, wound-healing properties, bio element levels and phytochemical profiles of aqueous extracts of Verbascum splendidum leaf and aboveground parts

The present study aimed to determine the antioxidant, antimicrobial, cytotoxic and anticarcinogenic activities, wound-healing properties, element levels and phytochemical profiles of aqueous extracts of Verbascum splendidum leaf and aboveground parts (VSEleaf and VSEmix). Total phenolic content, total flavonoid content, total antioxidant capacity, total oxidant capacity levels and oxidative stress index were analyzed as the antioxidant parameters. The total phenolic contents of VSEmix and VSEleaf were comparable. While VSEmix exhibited higher total flavonoid levels, this difference did not reach statistical significance. Oxidative stress index of VSEmix extract was lower than VSEleaf extract. The high amount and variety of phytochemical content, high total phenolic and total flavonoid amounts in VSEmix extract support this situation. Moreover, these extracts, especially VSEmix, were rich in bio-elements such as Fe, Cu, Mn and Zn which have roles on antioxidant system. E. coli, S. aureus and C. albicans strains were used to detect antimicrobial activity. The VSEmix extract, which was rich in phenolic content, had higher antimicrobial activity than VSEleaf extract. The cytotoxic effects of plant extracts were determined using L929 cell line, the anticarcinogenic effects of plant extracts were determined using A549. VSEmix had anticarcinogenic activity for A549 cells and VSEleaf for G361 cells, and both extracts had a positive effect on wound-healing compared to the control group. The findings demonstrated that especially VSEmix could serve as a valuable natural source of bioactive compounds for prospective clinical use due to its antioxidant, antimicrobial, anticancerogenic, cytotoxic effects or wound-healing activity.