Chemical profiling, in vitro biological activities and Pearson correlation between chemical profiling and anticancer activities of four Abies species from Turkey

Abstract

Abies species are known to have various bioactive compounds and pharmacological activities. In the manuscript, their bioactive components and anticancer activities of four unexamined Abies in Anatolia ( Abies cilicica subsp. isaurica, Abies nordmanniana subsp. nordmanniana, Abies nordmanniana subsp. bornmuelleriana, Abies nordmanniana subsp. equi-trojani ) were investigated. The principal component analysis and drug likeness properties of the specific bioactive compounds were conducted on our datas. The results showed that solvent polarity affected the phytochemical composition of extracts and thus their anticancer activity. Gentisic acid, catechin, palmitic acid, stearic acid, oleic acid, caryophyllene, caryophyllene oxide and eicosene were identified as major components. The principal component analysis of the specific bioactive compounds results indicated that the compounds are able to have an effective anticancer activity against HeLa an C6 cells. At the same time, the drug likeness properties results showed that these compounds have a potential drug properties. Also, docking result demonstrated that oleic acid, stearic acid, catechin, palmitic acid and eicosene can perform a strong synergistic effect against Cyclooxygenase-2 activity. Hovewer, oleic acid had the best binding poses against six targets. According to the findings, this four Abies species could be considered for further phytopharmaceutical researchs. • The four Abies species from Turkey were researched. • GC–MS and HPLC-TOF/MS were used to determine phytochemicals of the extracts. • Abies ssp.'s anticancer effects against C6 and Hela cells were evaluated. • Molecular dockings showed interactions of anticancer effects and phytochemicals. • Abies ssp. could be considered for further pharmaceutical researchs.