Antioxidant, Enzyme Inhibitory, and Cytotoxic Activity Screening of Myrtus Communis L.

Abstract

Objective: The present study aimed to evaluate the biological activities of Myrtus communis L., which has traditional medicinal use for different purposes, from a broad perspective. Material and Method: The antioxidant (DPPH, ABTS, total phenol, and flavonoid amounts) anti-inflammatory (LOX enzyme inhibition), antidiabetic (α-glucosidase enzyme inhibition), and cytotoxic properties (MTT assay) of a 70% methanol extract made from leaves and dichloromethane, butanol, ethyl acetate, and the residual water fractions were investigated. Result and Discussion: The DPPH radical scavenging effect of the ethyl acetate fraction, with the highest total phenol and flavonoid content, was found to be 1.4 µg/ml, and the ABTS radical scavenging effect was 2.58 mmol/Trolox. The most potent inhibitor of LOX (IC50: 31.17 µg/ml) and α-glucosidase (96% inhibition at 0.5 mg/ml) enzymes was determined as ethyl acetate extract. Dichloromethane fraction was shown to have the most cytotoxic activity in both Hela and Colo cell lines. This research has given us a better understanding of the traditional use of the M. communis plant, which stands out for its therapeutic properties.