Integrated phytochemical profiling and molecular evaluation of the antioxidant and anticancer potential of Lactuca muralis (L.) Gaertn.

Lactuca muralis (L.) Gaertn., a wild plant belonging to the Asteraceae family, has very limited studies on its biological activities. In this study, the antioxidant capacity, cytotoxic effect, and role in apoptotic mechanisms of the methanolic extract obtained from the aerial parts of Lactuca muralis were comprehensively investigated. Furthermore, the phenolic and flavonoid compound content was characterized in detail using the LC-MS/MS method. The total phenolic content was determined, and antioxidant activity was evaluated using DPPH, ABTS, and FRAP methods. The cytotoxic effects of the extract on the MCF-7 breast cancer cell line were examined using the MTT method. Apoptotic processes were analyzed through Bax and Bcl-2 gene expression (RT-qPCR) and protein levels (ELISA). According to the results obtained, the extract was determined to have a high phenolic content and to show a significant level of antioxidant activity. Cell culture studies revealed that the extract, especially in the 48-hour application, reduced cell viability in a dose-dependent manner. Gene and protein-level analyses have shown that the extract influences apoptotic processes in a multifaceted way. LC-MS/MS analyses revealed that protocatechuic aldehyde, chlorogenic acid, and protocatechuic acid were the predominant compounds. Overall, the extract was found to have a rich profile in terms of phenolic acids but a limited variety of flavonoids. These findings indicate that Lactuca muralis possesses significant antioxidant and potential anticancer properties and could be a promising natural resource for further pharmacological studies.