Cytotoxic and Free Radical Scavenging Activities of Turkish Medicinal Plants against Human Lung, Hepatocellular, and Colorectal Carcinoma Cells

Cancer is a major global health challenge, highlighting the need for new chemotherapeutic and adjunctive agents. Turkey’s rich botanical diversity offers a valuable source for exploring bioactive compounds with potential relevance to cancer-related research. This study aims to evaluate the antioxidant activity and preliminary cytotoxic effects of selected plant species as an initial screening approach. Among the species examined, four are members of the Apiaceae family, while the others belong to Lamiaceae, Papaveraceae, and Plantaginaceae families. To assess their effects on cancer cell viability, the plant extracts were tested on three different human cancer cell lines: A549, Caco-2, and HepG2. Zosima absinthifolia, Anarrhinum orientale and Rhabdosciadium microcalycinum showed reduced viability in all tested cancer cell lines. According to the DPPH activity results, it was determined that Diplotaenia cachrydifolia, Ferulago stellata and Salvia pseudeuphratica extracts showed high free radical scavenging activity. This study provides the first preliminary evaluation to investigate the antioxidant activity of A. orientale, as well as to evaluate the cytotoxic effects of R. microcalycinum, F. asepala, and D. cachrydifolia on Caco-2, A549, and HepG2 cell lines.