Total phenolic, total flavonoid contents, and in vitro biological activities of Cephalaria procera

Background and Aims: This study aims to determine total phenolic, total flavonoid contents and in vitro biological activities of methanol (CEP-1), n-butanol (CEP-2), water (CEP-3), n-hexane (CEP-4) extracts obtained from Cephalaria procera. Methods: The total phenolic and flavonoid content analysis, in vitro DPPH radical scavenging activities, cholinesterase, and tyrosinase inhibitory properties of the extracts were evaluated using spectrophotometric assays. DNA-damage and DNA-damage protective effects of the extracts were examined using agarose gel electrophoresis method. Antimicrobial activities of the extracts were determined by microdilution method. Results: CEP-3 had the best total phenolic content (79.64±1.11 mg GAE/g dry weight), and CEP-1 had the highest total flavonoid content (15.33±0.27 mg QEE/g dry weight) among tested extracts. CEP-1 showed the highest radical scavenging activity with 83.21±3.20 µg/mL of IC50 value. CEP-3 exerted the highest AChE and BuChE inhibitory action with 134.63±4.49 µg/mL and 62.76±0.63 µg/mL of IC50 values, respectively. CEP-3 showed significant tyrosinase inhibitory action with 51.95±0.35 µg/mL IC50 value compared to kojic acid (58.26±0.25 µg/mL). CEP-1 and CEP-3 were tested, and the both extracts did not damage supercoiled DNA at studied concentrations. Incidentally, results indicated that CEP-1 and CEP-3 protected supercoiled DNA against Fenton’s reagents. CEP-4 exhibited the highest antimicrobial activity on C. tropicalis with the MIC value of 156.2 µg/mL. Conclusion: The results showed that crude and subextracts of C. procera exerted several moderate activities on tested systems. It suggested that the species might be a promising medicinal plant for the treatment or prevention of several diseases associated with skin damage and wounds.