Investigation of biological activities of Epimedium pubigerum (dc.) c. moren & decne

In this study, the phytochemical characterization, biological activity and cytotoxic mechanism of methanol herb (SME) and rhizome (RME) extracts obtained from Epimedium pubigerum were examined in order to evaluate their potential for use in the treatment of lung cancer. In this context, firstly, the phytochemical content of the extracts was analyzed by LC-HR/MS. Then, the total phenolic and flavonoid compounds content of the extracts and DPPH radical scavenging activities were investigated using spectrophotometric methods. DNA damage and DNA damage protective effects of the extracts were examined on plasmid DNA. The cytotoxic effects of both extracts and their effects on the expression of apoptotic markers (cytochrome c, p53, and caspase 3) were investigated on human lung cancer (A549) cells. As a result of the experiments, 21 compounds were identified in RME and 22 compounds in SME; fumaric acid was found to be the compound in high amounts in both extracts. Total phenolic contents of SME and RME were 104.64±4.06 mg GAE/g dry weight and 215.65±8.11 mg GAE/g dry weight, respectively, total flavonoid contents were found to be 50.20±5.28 mg QE/g dry weight and 23.52±8.22 mg QE/g dry weight. The IC50 values of DPPH radical scavenging activities were calculated as 146.24 μg/mL and 64.79 μg/mL for SME and RME. Both extracts did not damage to plasmid DNA and the extracts showed strong protective properties on hydroxyl radical. SME and RME showed cytotoxicity on A549 cells concentration-dependently. Also, in vitro scratch assay showed that SME and RME led to a significant anti-migratory effect at 1 mg/mL. Cytochrome c, p53, and caspase 3 expression significantly increased in the presence of RME compared to the control. All these results claimed that RME might be suggested as a theoretically more effective phytotherapeutic agent for lung cancer compared to the effect seen with the SME.