Helleborus vesicarius, an endemic species, grows in South Anatolia, the Amanos Mountains, Kahramanmara & scedil;, and the Gaziantep region. Biological activity studies on H. vesicarius are restricted. Therefore, the study aims to investigate the antioxidant potential, DNA-protecting capacity, cytotoxic activity and apoptotic effect of H. vesicarius. In this study, the phenolic and flavanoid contents of H. vesicarius methanol extract were determined as 18.95 +/- 0.65 mg/g (expressed as gallic acid equivalent) and 18.97 +/- 0.17 mg/g (expressed as catechin equivalent), respectively. The extract displayed an inhibitory capacity against FeCl3/ascorbic acid-induced phosphatidylcholine liposome oxidation (EC50 = 5.16 +/- 0.12 mg/mL), eliminated stable 2,2 '-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) cation (ABTS+), 2,2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and superoxid anion (O2-) radicals (EC50 = 4.23 +/- 0.05 mg/mL; 3.87 +/- 0.24 mg/mL; 1.20 +/- 0.06, respectively), and act as reducing agent as expressed by the Ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) value (2.87 +/- 0.04 mM/L Fe2+) at 10 mg/mL. Furthermore, DNA-protecting activity was identified by DNA nicking assay. The extract dose-dependently protected pBR322 plasmid DNA against hydroxyl (OH) radical formed by the Fenton reagent. Also, cytotoxic activity was established on lung (A549), prostate (PC3), endometrial (ECC-1) cancer cells and primary dermal fibroblast (PCS) cells by using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-5-(3-carboxymethoxyphenyl)-2-(4-sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium (MTS) assay. The cytotoxic effect of the extract was more powerful on A549 (IC50: 45.80 mu g/mL) and PC3 (IC50: 54.97 mu g/mL) cell lines compared to that of the ECC-1 (IC50: 367.62 mu g/mL). The selectivity indexes for A549, PC3 and ECC-1 cell lines were 14.46, 12.09 and 1.81, respectively. Additionally, caspase-3 activity was also evaluated via the colorimetric method, the results revealed that the extract triggered apoptosis via active caspase-3 formation in the PC-3 cells. It was concluded that the extract may be used as a source of natural anticancer agents. Further investigations are needed to clarify the cytotoxic mechanism of the extract.

Türkiye is a significant genetic diversity center for Crataegus species. The fruits, leaves, flowers, and sprouts of Crataegus sp. are widely used in traditional medicine, mainly for cardiovascular diseases. Products containing Crataegus monogyna Jacq. subsp. monogyna ("alıç") are recognized as therapeutic agents used alongside conventional treatments. Thus, investigating the chemical composition and biological activity of other Crataegus species is essential to explore their medicinal potential. This study provides the first report on total flavonoid content and detailed phytochemical profiling of leaf and immature fruit extracts from three endemic species-Crataegus peshmenii Dönmez, Crataegus petrodavisii Dönmez, and Crataegus christensenii Dönmez-using High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). A comparative analysis with C. monogyna subsp. monogyna was also included. Notably, C. peshmenii leaf extract was the richest in compounds linked to cardiovascular benefits, including vitexin and hyperoside. Its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties were further evaluated using isolated rat thoracic aortas. The release of inflammatory and oxidative markers was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). C. peshmenii leaf extract significantly reduced the levels of oxidative and inflammatory markers (MDA, MPO, TNF-α, and IL-1β) in isolated aortas, supporting its potential as a cardiovascular protective agent.

Warts are considered as a public health problem because they are contagious and appear as lesions on the skin and mucosa after being infected with the virus. In the present, because treatments of the warts have not always healing and permanent effect, certain treatment has not been found yet. As a result of literature reviews, no study was found that consolidates the plants traditionally used in wart treatment. This review study aims to support the development of a definitive method for treating warts by analyzing these plants. In this study, the aim is to compile and analyze medicinal plants used for wart treatment in Türkiye, along with their usage information. For this purpose, systematic literature reviews of ethnobotanical studies published in the last twenty years in Türkiye were carried out. In total, 81 taxa belonging to 40 families were determined as being medicinal plants used to treatment of wart and the most cited plants was Ficus carica L. subsp. carica. Flavonoids, phenolic and terpenic compounds were the most common phytochemicals in these plants. Many of these medicinal plants using in treatment of warts have no chemical, pharmacological and toxicological studies.

The genus Rosa L. is represented by 26 species in Turkey and some of them are long been used in the folk medicine due to their potential curative activities. Some of these traditional and folk usages such as antioxidant and antihypertensive agent were evaluated in this study, showing the potential medicinal use of the rose leaves. In our previous studies it was reported that one of the beneficial effects of Rosa agrestis, Rosa sempervirens and Rosa horrida leaves extracts is the antioxidant and free radical scavenging activity of the phenolic and flavonoid contents. Phytochemical analysis of rose leaves extracts indicated the presence of major phytocompounds, including flavonoids like rutin, kaempherol, quercetin and ellagic acid. In order to complement our previous studies on rose species, the methanolic extracts prepared from leaves of Rosa micrantha, Rosa pisiformis, Rosa phoenicia and Rosa pulverulenta were tested in vitro for their polyphenolic contents, antioxidant and inhibitory activities against acetylcholinesterase (AChE), buthylcholinesterase (BChE) and angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) in order to exploit the possible role of these plants as a source of the alternative agents for the prevention and treatment of neurodegenerative disease and hypertension. The results showed that the extracts have potent inhibitory activities against AChE, BChE and ACE, contain high amount of phenolic compounds and possess significant antioxidant activity which may be attributed to a strong reducing power, DPPH', ABTS'+ and superoxide radicals scavenging and lipid peroxidation inhibitory activities. The enzyme kinetic studies revealed that ellagic acid, kaempherol and quercetin inhibit reversibly both the AChE and BChE enzymes in non-competitive manner. The results showed that the leaves of rose species under study could provide new therapeutical applications.

Ülkemizde özellikle son dönemde artan kaşıntılı bir deri hastalığı olan uyuz, Sarcoptes scabiei var. hominis akarının insanda yol açtığı bir hastalık olarak tanımlanmaktadır. Gece şiddetlenen kaşıntı ve döküntü ile karakterize olan uyuz hastalığı, insandan insana bulaşarak ilerlemektedir. Tedavide aktif olarak permetrin ve kükürt içeren topikal preparatlar kullanılırken eczanelerde hazırlanan majistral ilaçlarda tedavide yerini almaya başlamıştır. Akarların tedavide kullanılan mevcut etken maddelere karşı giderek daha dirençli hale gelmesi, yeni akarisid ilaç maddelerinin geliştirilmesi ihtiyacını ortaya koymaktadır. Mevcut insektisid ilaçlar ile bitkisel ilaçların karşılaştırıldığı çalışmalarda etkinlik ve güvenlik profili açısından anlamlı farkların olması doğal kaynaklı maddelerin hastalıkta kullanımının araştırılmasının önünü açmaktadır. Bu makalede uyuz tedavisinde kullanılan mevcut etken maddeler ve doğal içerikler incelenmiş, ülkemizde halk arasında uyuz tedavisinde kullanımı olan bitkilerin literatür taraması yapılarak içeriklerinde bulundurdukları maddeler ve kullanım şekillerini içeren tablo oluşturulmuştur. Tabloda yer alan bitkiler ağırlıklı olarak Cupressaceae, Liliaceae ve Pinaceae familyalarına ait olup tedavide kökler, toprak üstü kısımlar ve yine bitkiden elde edilen katranlar kullanılmaktadır. Halk arasında uyuzda kullanımı olup özellikle akarisidal aktivite gösterdiği kanıtlanan doğal bileşikleri içeren bitkilerle aktivite çalışması yapılması tedavide yeni seçeneklerin değerlendirilmesine olanak sağlayabilir.

Background/Aim: We aimed to investigate the synergistic effects of apigenin and curcumin on the cross-talk between apoptosis and autophagic cell death, as well as on paraptosis in HeLa cells. Materials and Methods: Cell viability was measured using the MTT assay. Synergistic effects were measured using the Bliss independence model. qRT-PCR was used to study the expression of genes related to apoptosis, autophagic cell death, and cross-talk. GRP78/BiP immunostaining was used to identify endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress. Results: Treatment with a combination of apigenin and curcumin increased the expression levels of genes related to cell death in HeLa cells 1.29- to 27.6-fold. The combination of curcumin and apigenin showed a synergistic anti-tumor effect via cross-talk between processes leading to apoptosis and autophagic cell death, as well as ER stress-associated paraptosis. GRP78 expression was down-regulated, and massive cytoplasmic vacuolization was observed in HeLa cells. Conclusion: The combination of curcumin and apigenin is an effective potential therapeutic for cervical cancers.

Ethnobotanical and ethnomedicinal studies have become increasingly recognised as a valuable source of information on the use and possible pharmacological activity of many plant species. There is no study presenting traditional herbal remedies used for kidney diseases in Turkey. The purpose of the paper is to compile herbal remedies used in kidney diseases in Turkey with detailed usage information and chemical constituents. The botanical names, families, and local names; used parts; preparation methods; administration/ dosage; kidney problems and chemical constituents were presented by screening ethnobotanical, ethnomedicinaland phytochemical studies. The most cited plant families, the most cited genera, and the most frequently used plant parts were determined and presented in graphics. In total, 300 taxa belonging to 70 families were determined as being traditional herbal remedies used in kidney diseases. Asteraceae (57), Lamiaceae (33), Rosaceae (30), Fabaceae (16), Malvaceae (15), Apiaceae (13) and Poaceae (10) were found as the most cited plant families. The most cited genera were Helichrysum (44), Equisetum (27), Tribulus (23), Urtica (23), Rosa (17), Alcea (14), Hypericum (14) and Paliurus (14), respectively. It was found that the aerial parts were the most frequently used part of theplant, accounting for 28%. Following in this category are leaves (19%), flowers (14%), fruits (14%), underground parts (13%), seeds (5%), stem (3%), and other parts (4%). The pharmacological studies of the most cited genera were also reviewed to confirm the efficacy of these plants inthe treatment of kidney diseases. It is concluded that a number of pharmacological and phytochemical research support the traditional usage of plants, but further studies are needed. Our findings are expected to be the basis for candidate pharmaceutical products.

Turkey has a very rich flora and also many medicinal plants, due to its geography. The aim of this study was to provide information about the plants used for prostate diseases in Turkey. Ethnobotanical studies made in various parts of the Turkey have been researched and 107 taxa used in the treatment of prostate diseases have been recorded. These plants belong predominantly to the Rosaceae (15 taxa), Asteraceae (13 taxal, Lamiaceae 110 taxa), Poaceae (4 taxa), Anacardiaceae (3 taxa), Apiaceae (3 taxa), Brassicaceae 13 taxa) families. The plant parts used for treatment are leaves, aerial parts, flowers, roots and seeds. Flavonoids, essential oils, tannins, saponins, alkaloids, and steroids are the most common chemical compounds in these plants. Activity studies have been found which support the use of 17 taxa in prostate diseases. Similar activity studies can be carried out for other plants and so new drugs can be developed for the treatment of prostate diseases.

The antimicrobial and cytotoxic effects of various endemic and non-endemic Eryngium species from Turkey were investigated. Nine endemic and two non-endemic Eryngium species were analyzed using a microdilution assay for their antibacterial and antifungal activities. Cytotoxic activities of E. pseudothoriifolium, E. thorifolium, E. davisii, and E. falcatum, on prostate carcinoma and endometrial cancer cells were analyzed by cytotoxic activity assay. It was observed that 16 out of 22 extracts (aerial or root part) showed antibacterial activities. Fifteen out of 22 extracts showed antifungal activity with the lowest MIC (156 mg/l) value against Candida albicans ATCC 10231 and C. tropicalis ATCC 750. Aerial parts of E. pseudothoriifolium, E. thorifolium, E. davisii, and E. falcatum exhibited cytotoxic effects on endometrial cancer cells. This evaluation of tested endemic Eryngium species' antimicrobial and cytotoxic activities is the first of its kind.

Turkey has a rich plant diversity due to its geography and many of these plants are used in the treatment of various diseases. The usage of these medicinal plants has been passed down from generation to generation. Ethnobotanical studies are used to record traditional treatment methods and this information is intended to contribute to drug development studies. This study (which is the fourth article in a series focusing on plants with painkilling properties) details the plants used to combat toothache. In this survey, which was prepared by screening ethnobotanical research, a total of 52 taxa were traditionally used in toothache treatment in Turkey. Scientific and local names, families, parts used, and treatment methods of these plants were recorded. According to the results of the research, the most common families are Lamiaceae, Asteraceae, Solanaceae, Euphorbiaceae, Liliaceae and Rosaceae. The most commonly used taxa in different regions of Turkey are Cornus mas, Dianthus zonatus var. zonatus and Hyocyamus niger. These plants contain analgesic and anti-inflammatory compounds. These plants are usually used externally as extracts (infusion/decoction) as well as are used directly. However, a few species are also used externally.

Background:Flavonoids are natural compounds with antioxidant, anticarcinogenic, and anti-inflammatory effects.Aims:To determine the cytotoxic effects of flavonoids and drug resistance related to P-gp on K562 human chronic myeloid leukemia cells. We also aimed to evaluate the therapeutic potential of imatinib and flavonoid combinations.Study Design:Cell culture study.Methods:In this study, K562 cells were treated with apigenin, luteolin, 5-desmethyl sinensetin and the anticancer drug imatinib mesylate. The effect of flavonoids on K562 cell proliferation was detected using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazolyl)2,5‑diphenyl‑tetrazolium bromide assay. Concentrations of apigenin, luteolin, and 5-desmethyl sinensetin ranging from 25 to 200 μM and of imatinib from 5 to 50 μM administered for 72 h were studied. Apoptosis/necrosis and P-gp activity were measured using flow cytometry. The combined effects of different concentrations of flavonoids with imatinib were evaluated according to combination index values calculated using CompuSyn software.Results:In our study, the IC50 values for apigenin, luteolin, and 5-desmethyl sinensetin were found to be 140 μM, 100 μM, and >200 μM, respectively. Luteolin (100 μM) had the highest cytotoxic activity of these flavonoids. These results were statistically significant (p<0.05). Among the flavonoids studied, the combination of luteolin and imatinib was the most effective and is therefore recommended for its cytotoxic activity in the K562 cell line. After 72 h of incubation at their respective IC50 concentrations, all flavonoids were associated with an apoptosis rate of approximately 50%. P-glycoprotein activity was increased in all groups. Combination treatment may provide better outcomes in terms of cytotoxicity and thus reduce the dosages of imatinib used.Conclusion:The combination of some flavonoids and imatinib mesylate may increase the cytotoxic effect; However, the antagonistic effect should be considered in combined use on k562 cells.

Cervical cancer is one of the frequent types of cancer seen in females. It has been suggested that natural compounds can be used effectively for cancer treatment. Apoptosis and autophagy related cell death play important roles in suppression of tumorigenesis. Apigenin and curcumin are natural products isolated from plant extracts known to have antitumoral, antibacterial and antiviral effects. Varying doses of curcumin and apigenin were applied to HeLa cancer cell lines. The expression of the genes related to apoptosis and/or autophagy related cell death were measured using qRT-PCR and cell viability was measured using MTT assay. Our results showed that curcumin and apigenin are effective on apoptosis and autophagy related cell death in HeLa cells. We suggested that these natural products seem to be a new promising therapeutic approach in cancer.

We investigated the cytotoxic and apoptotic effects of a methanol extract of Centaurea nerimaniae, a plant endemic in Turkey, on HeLa and MDA-MB-231 cells. Eight concentrations of C. nerimaniae extract were applied to cells, and cytotoxic effects were measured using the xCELLigence system. The TUNEL assay was used to assess apoptotic cell death and immunohistochemistry was used to determine active caspase-3 using the effective cytotoxic doses of the extract. Doses of 1.42 mg/ml C. nerimaniae inhibited the growth of HeLa cells and 3.67 mg/ml C. nerimaniae inhibited the growth of MDA-MB-231 cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner. The apoptotic indexes for HeLa and MDA-MB-231 cells were increased significantly compared to control groups. Immunohistochemistry showed that the number of caspase-3 immunostained cells increased in the extract treatment groups for both HeLa and MDA-MB-231 cells. In the MDA-MB-231 cell line, caspase-3 immunostaining was observed in nuclei and/or cytoplasm in the extract treated group. Caspase-3 activation was greater in HeLa cells than in MDA-MB-231 cells. We found that the extract of C. nerimaniae had a strong antiproliferative effect and induced apoptosis via caspase-3; MDA-MB-231 cancer cells were more resistant than HeLa cells.

Turkey has many plants used by public for the treatment of various diseases. The usage of these plants has been transferred from generation to generation. Ethnobotanical studies carried out by traditional methods of treatment are recorded and this information is aimed to contribute to the development of the drug. In this study, it has been reached to 88 taxa that is used in traditional treatment against headache in Turkey and aimed to give information about scientific and local names, families, used parts and usage of these taxa in headache. in headache.

Centaurea nerimaniae S. Kultur, an endemic species from the Turkish flora, distributed in south Anatolia (Icel Province) was investigated for its flavonoids and in vitro antioxidant, anti-cholinergic, anti-inflammatory and antibacterial activities.The phytochemical investigation of the plant led to the isolation of five flavonoids, identified as cirsimaritin, hispidulin, apigenin, isokaempferide and apigenin 7-O-glucoside.In addition to its ability to inhibit AChE and lipid peroxidation, induced by Fe 3+ /ascorbate system, scavenge DPPH radicals, and to reduce Fe 3+ to Fe 2+ , the extract showed strong COX-1 and COX-2 inhibitory and antimicrobial activities, suggesting that this plant could act as an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent against disorders, associated with oxidative damage, as well as an effective phytotherapeutic agent against some fungal and bacterial diseases.

There are many plants used by the public in the treatment of various diseases in Turkey. The folk remedies prepared with these plants from which treatment and how they used have been reached to day-to-day by transferring the generations. The traditional treatment methods are recorded by ethnobotanical researches and it is aimed to contribute to drug development studies. In this study, which was prepared by screening of ethnobotanical researches, 72 taxa which used in traditional treatment against rheumatic pain in Turkey are reached and the scientific and local names, families, used parts of these taxa and the use forms in rheumatic pain were compiled. According to the research done, families that are commonly used for rheumatic pain are Ranunculaceae (8 taxa), Asteraceae (5 taxa), Brassicaceae (5 taxa), Lamiaceae (5 taxa), Apiaceae (4 taxa) and Liliaceae (4 taxa). The plants used for rheumatic pain contain analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic and rubefian compounds. Rubefian compound containing species are applied externally to the rheumatoid region and act by increasing the blood supply of the region. Analgesic, anti-inflammatory and antiseptic active species are used in the form of decoction / infusion both internally and externally.

Cratageus species are rich in phenols and flavonoids, which are active compounds that possess beneficial effects. This study aimed to identify the antioxidant, antimicrobial, DNA damage protection activities, and the capacities of acetylcholinesterase (AChE), thioredoxin reductase (ThxR), and alpha-glucosidase inhibition of the methanol extract of Cratageus microphylla. The plant extract inhibited the formation of free radicals in various assay systems, such as 2,-2'-azinobis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS), 2,2'-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), lipid peroxidation (anti-LPO) and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assays. According to the findings, the extract inhibited the lipid peroxidation and neutralized stable DPPH, and ABTS cation radicals with EC50 values of 0.766 +/- 0.026 mg/mL, 0.207 +/- 0.009 mg/mLand 0.756 +/- 0.048 mg/mL, respectively. The extract also acted as a reductant as indicated by the FRAP value (2.841 +/- 0.096 mM Fe2+), thus exhibiting its potential as an antioxidant. Moderate AChE (4.94 +/- 0.29 mg/mL) and a-glucosidase (14.41 +/- 0.29 mg/mL) and significant ThxR (EC50= 0.61 +/- 0.06 mg/mL) inhibition activities were observed. DNA damage formation in in vitro assays was 51 % at 0.78 mu g/mL concentrations. Therefore, C. microphylla can be considered as a good source of antioxidant, antimicrobial, antidiabetic, anticholinesterase, and anticancer agents.

Rosa sempervirens L. (Rosaceae) growing wildly in Turkey is used in folk medicine for various indications. Here, we report the isolation of four flavonoids and determination of the total phenolic and flavonoid contents and the antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of various extracts from R. sempervirens leaves. Antioxidant activity was determined by 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2'-azinobis-3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS). The total phenolic and flavonoid contents were determined using the Folin–Ciocalteu and AlCl3 methods, respectively. The antimicrobial activity was evaluated by the broth microdilution method against seven microbial species. The ethyl acetate extract (E) had significant antioxidant activity with half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) values of 3.96 in the DPPH and 2.92 µg/mL in the ABTS assay. The total phenolic (203.8 mg gallic acid equivalents/g extract) and total flavonoid (95.81 mg catechin equivalents/g extract) contents of the E extract were significantly higher as compared to other extracts. The E extract exhibited strong antimicrobial activity against Candida albicans with a minimum inhibitory concentration of 39 μg/mL. Quercetin 3-xyloside, quercitrin and hyperoside were isolated from the E extract and quercetin, from the chloroform extract, and quercetin and hyperoside were identified for the first time in this species. Quercitrin was found to be a major compound in the E extract. Antimicrobial activity of R. sempervirens was also reported for the first time. These results indicate that the E extract has significant antioxidant and antimicrobial activity, probably due to flavonoids as well as other phenolic compounds in the E extract, acting individually or in combination.