Biological activities of Polygonatum orientale Desf. plant extracts

Medicinal plants have been used in traditional medicine for centuries, and they are still valuable natural resources today. Secondary metabolites found in plants, such as polyphenols and flavonoids, play effective roles in combating oxidative stress and contribute to the prevention of various chronic diseases. Recent studies have shown that these compounds exert protective effects on the immune and nervous systems, and certain plant extracts may also improve fertility. In this study, various extracts were prepared from the underground (rhizome) and aerial parts of Polygonatum orientale Desf. (Boğumluca) by maceration method, and their phenolic and flavonoid contents were determined as indicators of secondary metabolite composition. The phenolic profile was elucidated using HPLC analysis. The antioxidant properties of the extracts were evaluated by DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging assays, as well as by assessing total antioxidant capacity, FRAP activity, and metal chelation ability. The effects of the extract on acetylcholinesterase (AChE), monoamine oxidase-A (MAO-A), and monoamine oxidase-B (MAO-B) were also determined. The effects of the plant on the nervous system were assessed using neuronal cell lines, while its effects on the reproductive system were evaluated via cell viability assays in testicular cells. In addition, general toxicity levels of the plant were investigated using the C. elegans model. As a result, the extracts of the rhizome part of P. orientale with their rich phytochemical composition, exhibited strong antioxidant, neuroprotective, and cell proliferation-supporting effects, whereas the extracts of the aerial parts of the plant demonstrated complementary bioactivity through selective antimicrobial and enzyme inhibitory effects. The effects observed in C. elegans were dose-dependent, with beneficial outcomes at low doses and signs of toxicity at higher concentrations. These findings highlight the bioactive potential of P. orientale and provide a valuable basis for future pharmacological and neuroprotective studies.