Investigation of skin whitening and antioxidant effects of endemic Ferulago platycarpa Boiss. & Balansa and Ferulago pachyloba (Fenzl) Boiss. in Turkey and determination of total phenol and flavonoit content

The genus Ferulago W. Koch, which is widely distributed and utilized around the world, comprises numerous bioactive phytochemicals and is represented by approximately 50 taxa globally. In Turkey, this genus includes 35 taxa, among which 18 are endemic species. Ferulago species are recognized by various local names in different regions of Turkey, notably referred to as "çakşırotu," "çağşır," and "asaotu." The predominant metabolites found within Ferulago species are coumarins, which possess significant physiological activities. These species have been traditionally employed in folk medicine due to their sedative, tonic, digestive, and aphrodisiac properties. Additionally, they are utilized in the management of various ailments such as headaches, ulcers, hemorrhoids, snake bites, intestinal worms, and spleen-related disorders. In the present research, ethanol and hexane extracts obtained from two endemic species, namely Ferulago pachyloba (Fenzl) Boiss. and Ferulago platycarpa Boiss. & Bal., will be examined in terms of their chemical compositions and biological activities. The antioxidant potentials of these extracts will be spectrophotometrically assessed through several well-established analytical methods including the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) scavenging assay, the 2,2'-azinobis-3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS) radical scavenging assay, total phenolic content determination, total flavonoit concentration measurement, and metal-chelating activity. Furthermore, the tyrosinase enzyme inhibitory activities of the extracts will also be investigated using spectrophotometric approaches. Through this study, existing gaps in research pertaining specifically to the mentioned Ferulago species endemic to Turkey will be addressed, thereby contributing substantial data regarding their phytochemical profiles and biological functionalities.