Molecular systematics and biological activities of Prangos Lindl.(Umbelliferae) species which are endemic to Turkey

The aim of the study was to investigate molecular systematics and biological activities of Prangos Lindl. (Umbelliferae) species which are endemic to Turkey. In the molecular systematic studies, DNA sequence analysis were done for non-coding transfer ribonucleic acid regions of chloroplast genome (trnV5'- trnV3', trnL5'- trnL3', trnL-trnF) and nuclear ribosomal DNA?s internal transcribed spacer region (ITS; ITS-1+5.8S rRNA+ITS-2) of endemic Prangos species. Molecular evolutionary analysis was carried out by using MEGA Version 5.1 Beta 3. In addition to molecular analysis, the genetic distances between species were determined by using SDS-PAGE. The genetic relationship obtained by the protein profiles and the molecular analysis were similar to the systematic relationship based on morphological characteristics and gave information that can be used to solve taxonomic problems of Prangos genus. In the biological activity studies, antioxidant effects of endemic Prangos species were evaluated by using complementary in vitro assays (DPPH radical scavenging, plasma lipid peroxidation inhibition and metal chelating). The genotoxic and antigenotoxic effects were investigated by using Comet assay for endemic Prangos species showing the highest antioxidant effect. In addition, the amounts of total phenol, ß-carotene and lycopene compounds in the methanol, the water and the acetone extracts were determined. Also, chlorogenic acid and rutin contents in the extracts were analyzed by using HPLC method. Among endemic Prangos species, Prangos ilanae Pimenov, Akalın & Kljuykov showed the highest antioxidant activity. Hydrogen peroxide induced DNA damage in human lymphocytes was significantly reduced by treatment of P. ilanae extracts (p<0.05). These results suggest that endemic Prangos species may be used as a source of natural antioxidants for food supplementation or in the development of nutraceuticals.