IN VITRO EVALUATION OF ANTIOXIDANT AND CYTOTOXIC ACTIVITIES ON HUMAN CERVICAL CANCER CELLS IN THREE DIFFERENT PLANT EXTRACTS FROM TURKEY

Abstract

The objective of this investigation was to assess the total phenolic and flavonoid content within acetone and water extracts derived from Erica manipuliflora, Ferula communis, and Stevia rebaudiana plants. Additionally, the in vitro antioxidant and cytotoxic effects of these extracts were evaluated using the human cervical cancer (HeLa) cell line as a model. Among the three plant species examined, the highest concentrations of total phenols and flavonoids were found in the acetone extract of E. manipuliflora, measuring 365.29 mg GAE/g DW and 105.42 mg QE/g DW, respectively. Acetone and water extracts of E. manipuliflora showed higher DPPH scavenging activities (IC50: 37.57 and 33.27 µg/mL, respectively) compared to other plants. furthermore, E. manipuliflora acetone extract (IC50: 97.35 µg/mL) exhibited the highest inhibition in the HeLa cell line treated with the extracts, thus being the most effective extract on this cell line. As a result of the analyzes, it has been shown that F. communis and S. rebaudiana and especially E. manipuliflora are important natural antioxidant sources with their strong radical scavenging effects, as well as the anticancer potential of these plants.