Pharmacognostical studies on Daucus L. species grow naturally in Turkey

In this study, essential oils and extracts obtained from the fruits of Daucus L. species naturally grows in Turkey were examined. The species grown in Turkey belonging to the genus Daucus; D. carota L., D. broteri Ten., D. guttatus Sibth. & Sm., D. littoralis Sibth. & Sm., D. involucratus Sm. and D. conchitae W. Greuter (endemic). In the field works, together with these species, 2 more samples were collected which are belong to the genus Daucus and different from the registered species in flora. These samples that were expressed as Daucus sp. nov. 1 and Daucus sp. nov. 2 also and included in the studies. Essential oils obtained from from fruit samples by distillation method were analyzed by Gas Chromatography and Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry systems. Extracts were prepared by maceration. Antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anticholinesterase effects of the essential oils and extracts were investigated. Antioxidant effects; 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl free radical scavenging activity, copper reducing antioxidant capacity method, total phenolic and flavonoit substance quantification methods were investigated. The findings were not antioxidant effect. The anti-inflammatory effect was evaluated by 5-lipoxygenase enzyme inhibition activity. Examined samples did not provide inhibition. The anticholinesterase effect were tested on acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase enzymes. Two essential oil samples of D. carota species collected from different locations showed high anticholinesterase effect. Ethanol and hexane extracts of D. carota species and hexane extract of D. littoralis showed low anticholinesterase effects. Since the ethanol extract of D. carota species showed higher inhibition compared to other extracts, its chemical composition was determined by High Pressure Liquid Chromatography / Mass Spectroscopy-Mass Spectroscopy analysis. Keywords: Daucus ssp., Essential oil, Extract, Antioxidant, Anti-inflammatory, Anticholinesterase.