Cistus creticus L. Extracts: Investigation of Antioxidant and Enzyme Inhibitory Potential Through In vitro Analysis

Objective: The aim of this study was to comparatively analyze the in vitro free radical scavenging and enzyme inhibitory activities along with the phytochemical content of Cistus creticus L.Materials and Methods: The antioxidant and anti-enzyme effects were investigated using 2,2-diphenylpicrylhydrazyl (DPPH)/2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline)-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS) radicals and 5-lipoxygenase (LOX)/ hyaluronidase inhibition methods. The total phenolic, flavonoid, and triterpenoid contents were tested using standard procedures. Phytochemical analysis was performed using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC).Results: C. creticus ethyl acetate extract (CCEA) with 12.24 and 73.89 µg/mL IC50 values showed the strongest activity against ABTS and DPPH radicals, respectively. CCW (C. creticus water extract) with 66.16 µg/mL IC50 value showed the best anti-5-LOX activity. CCE (C. creticus ethanol extract) with 90.29 µg/mL IC50 value exhibited the strongest inhibitory effect against the hyaluronidase enzyme. The highest contents of total phenolic and flavonoid were detected in CCEA, whereas the highest total triterpenoid content was calculated in C. creticus hexane extract (CCH). In HPLC analysis, gallic acid and rutin were determined in CCE and CCEA; gallic acid and vanillic acid in CCW.Conclusion: This is the first study on the anti-hyaluronidase and anti-LOX effects of C. creticus . These results indicated that CCEA, CCW, and CCE exhibited strong antioxidant, good anti-inflammatory and anti-hyaluronidase activities, respectively.