Determination of different extracts, total antioxidant capacity, antidiabetic, and antimicrobial activities of shepherd's purse (Capsella bursa-pastoris) plant

Recently, plants have been used not only for the purpose of healing diseases but also in the fields of dye, nutrition, spices, agriculture and pharmacy. It is especially important to research the different uses of plants. In this study, the aerial parts of the Shepherd's Purse (Capsella bursa-pastoris), a medicinal and aromatic plant, grown in natural environments in two different provinces (Kirsehir and Balikesir) were used. Pure water, ethanol and acetone solvents were used to obtain plant extracts. In this study, it was aimed to determine the GC-MS (gas chromatography-mass spectrometry) analysis, antioxidant (total phenolic and flavonoid amounts, DPPH• and ABTS•+ radical scavenging powers), antidiabetic (α-amylase enzyme inhibition) and antimicrobial (agar well diffusion method) activities of the plant. GC-MS (gas chromatography-mass spectrometry) analyses were determined using the solid phase microextraction (SPME) method. The presence of 54 bioactive substances was detected in the plant sample from Kırsehir province and 38 bioactive substances in the Balikesir sample. It was determined that these detected substances have different usage areas. In determining the antioxidant activities of plant extract samples, firstly total phenolic substance amount analyses were performed. For this purpose, standard Gallic acid substance was used. The amount of total phenolic substance in the samples was found to be highest in ethyl alcohol extracts and Balikesir plant sample (58.67±1.45 mg GAE/g extract). Standard Quercetin substance was used to determine the total flavonoid content. When the results of total flavonoid content were examined, it was determined that the ethanol extract of the Balikesir plant sample was in high amounts (81.56±1.35 mg QE/g extract). Radical inhibition of these plant extracts was measured using two different radicals (DPPH• and ABTS•+). Ascorbic acid was used as the standard substance. In addition, the % inhibition values of all samples were determined as well as IC50 (inhibitory concentrations). The results were shown in both figures. The highest DPPH• radical inhibition was determined in Balikesir ethanol extract (IC50 0.083 µg/mL). The sample with the highest ABTS•+ radical inhibition was observed in Balikesir province water extract (0.120 µg/mL). The results were compared with standard Ascorbic acid. As a result of the antioxidant activity of this plant, it was concluded that the plant sample collected in Balikesir province was higher than the sample collected in Kirsehir province. In addition, the antidiabetic activity of this plant was investigated and for this purpose, α-amylase enzyme inhibition was examined. Acarbose was used as the standard substance. The highest enzyme inhibition was determined in Kirsehir province water extract (IC50 0.889 µg/mL). Antimicrobial analyses of plant extract samples were also performed. In particular, antimicrobial activity was not determined in water extraction samples of both provinces. However, antimicrobial activity was measured in extracts using ethanol and acetone solvents. It was determined that they created 20 and 25 mm inhibition zones, especially against P. aeruginosa and C. tropicalis microorganisms. As a result, the presence of bioactive substances in the structure of the shepherd's purse plant makes this plant strong in terms of biological activities. However, it was determined that the environment in which the plant grows and the extraction conditions are also very important. However, it was concluded that the environment in which the plant grows and the extraction conditions are also very important. It has been determined that different extracts of this plant can be used for different purposes. We also believe that the use of the plant for antioxidant, antidiabetic, and antimicrobial purposes will be beneficial. February 2025, xiii+63 Pages. Keywords: Shepherd's Purse (Capsella bursa-pastoris), GC-MS, Antioxidant, Antidiabetic, Antimicrobial