Characterization of phenolic compounds of traditional pinecone syrup and determination of their biological activities

From past to present, all plants are in the service of humanity and are used in the treatment of various diseases. Our country has a rich flora where many medicinal and aromatic plants grow. Especially with their bioactive potential, these plants have been the focus of scientific research. Pine trees are among the most extensive tree species that have grown in almost all countries in the world. Extracts prepared from different parts of pine trees have also entered the scientific literature as a source of pharmaceutical substances. In this study, the phenolic content and biological activities of pinecone syrup, which is preferred by the public in asthma and bronchitis diseases and used to alleviate coughing attacks in seasonal flu infections for the purpose of strengthening immunity, were investigated. Syrups were obtained from scotchpine (p.sylvestris), blackpine (p.nigra), redpine (p.brutia) cones. Besides TPC, TFC, DPPH•, ABTS•+, FRAP, and CUPRAC activities antimicrobial and antidiabetic activities of the syrups were determined. Phenolic compounds were characterized by chromatographic LC-MS/MS analysis. As a result, scotchpine cone syrup had the highest phenolic/flavonoid content and the highest antioxidant activity. In the enzyme inhibition study, syrup obtained from blackpine cone syrup showed the highest antidiabetic activity. In the antimicrobial analysis, blackpine cone syrup showed antibacterial activity against E.coli, S.aureus, and B.cereus and was found to be more effective than the others. It is an important study that highlights the pharmaceutical value of forest products used as fuel and ornamental plants, apart from the foods currently being used.