Sürdürülebilir Kalkınma Amaçları

  • MakaleYalnız künye2026
    Phenolic Profiling of Laurus nobilis by LC–ESI–MS/MS: In Vitro Bioactivities and In Silico Enzyme Docking

    Bak, Funda Erşen; Canbolat Gültekin, Deniz; Akmeşe, Osman; Atalay, Abdurrahman; Turan, İbrahim; Gültekin, Ergün; Demir, Selim; Aliyazicioglu, Yüksel

    This study evaluated the branch, leaf, and fruit extracts of Laurus nobilis collected from Artvin in terms of phenolic composition, antioxidant, antimicrobial, and antidiabetic activities and additionally investigated the binding of selected phenolics to α-amylase/α-glucosidase targets through molecular docking. Using LC–ESI–MS/MS analysis, 31 phenolic compounds were quantitatively identified, with epicatechin, luteolin-7-O-glucoside, and rutin predominating particularly in the branches and leaves. Antioxidant capacity was higher in branches and leaves (total phenolic content [TPC]/FRAP/DPPH IC50: branches and leaves, respectively, 95.27–60.84 mg gallic acid equivalent [GAE]/g, 206.16–162.05 mg Trolox equivalent [TE]/g, and 46.95–113.49 µg/mL). Antimicrobial activity was observed within a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) range of 1.25–10 mg/mL; leaves exhibited the strongest effect against Bacillus cereus (1.25 mg/mL), whereas fruits were most effective against Candida albicans (1.25 mg/mL). In antidiabetic evaluation, fruits yielded the lowest IC50 values against α-amylase and α-glucosidase (4.31 and 8.97 mg/mL, respectively), suggesting a “composition-over-quantity” effect despite low total phenolic content. Docking results supported high binding affinities of rutin (α-glucosidase −9.3 kcal/mol; α-amylase −8.1 kcal/mol) and luteolin (−8.6 kcal/mol for both enzymes). Overall, although branches and leaves exhibited strong antioxidant profiles, fruits showed more pronounced inhibitory effects on digestive enzymes; therefore, fractionation studies and in vivo/kinetic validations are recommended.

  • MakaleYalnız künye2026
    LC–MS/MS Phenolic Profiling and Antioxidant, Antimicrobial, and Antidiabetic Activities of Caucasian Propolis

    Gültekin, Deniz Canbolat; Turan, İbrahim; Akmeşe, Osman; Gültekin, Ergün; Demir, Selim; Aliyazicioglu, Yüksel

    Propolis is a natural bee product rich in phenolic and flavonoid compounds and is well known for its remarkable biological properties. In this study, the phenolic compositions of propolis samples collected from various localities in the Caucasus region of Türkiye were characterized using LC–MS/MS, and their antioxidant, antidiabetic, and antibacterial activities were also evaluated. LC–MS/MS analyses identified caffeic acid, ferulic acid, and p-coumaric acid as the major phenolic acid compounds, while pinocembrin, chrysin, and galangin were determined as the major flavonoid constituents. Overall, these findings indicate that the antioxidant capacity of propolis samples obtained from different regions may be particularly associated with these key phenolic and flavonoid compounds. Consistent with this composition, total phenolic and flavonoid contents ranged from 34.72 to 120.54 mg GAE/g and 6.88 to 47.19 mg QE/g, respectively. The extracts exhibited a relatively high antioxidant capacity, with FRAP values between 60.47 and 311.87 mg TE/g and DPPH IC50 values ranging from 215.80 to 37.96 µg/mL. Regarding antidiabetic activity, the IC50 values for α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibition were determined as 5.86–3.47 and 12.22–5.02 mg/mL, respectively, indicating a pronounced antidiabetic potential. Antimicrobial analyses revealed activity against E. faecalis, B. cereus, E. coli, K. pneumoniae, and C. albicans. Overall, this study provides a comprehensive LC–MS/MS-based phenolic profile of Caucasian propolis and demonstrates its antioxidant properties together with its antidiabetic potential.

    • SDG 3 · Sağlık ve Kaliteli Yaşam
  • MakaleYalnız künye2020
    Effect of Turkish Propolis on miRNA Expression, Cell Cycle, and Apoptosis in Human Breast Cancer (MCF-7) Cells

    Misir, Sema; Aliyazicioglu, Yüksel; Demir, Selim; Turan, Ibrahim; Hepokur, Ceylan

    Enriched in flavonoid compounds, phenol acids, and terpene derivatives, propolis has been shown to regulate apoptosis signaling pathways and alter the expression of microRNAs (miRNAs). In the present study, it has been aimed to examine the effects of Turkish propolis on miRNA levels of breast cancer (MCF-7) cells, and its relationship with cell proliferation and apoptosis. Cytotoxic activity of ethanolic propolis extract (EEP) was evaluated using MTT assay. Mechanisms involved in the cytotoxic action of Turkish propolis in MCF-7 cells were investigated with regard to apoptosis and cell cycle using flow cytometry and western blot. Mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) were evaluated by spectrofluorometric method. miRNA levels were detected by qRT-PCR method. EEP exhibited selective toxicity against MCF-7 cells compared to normal fibroblast cells. EEP increased the cell cycle arrest at the G1 phase. EEP elevated the apoptotic cell death through increasing pro-apoptotic protein levels (p21, Bax, p53, p53-Ser46, and p53-Ser15), decreasing MMP and altering the expression levels of specific tumor suppressors (miR-34, miR-15a, and miR-16-5p) and oncogenic (miR-21) miRNAs. These data support that Turkish propolis may be evaluated as a potential natural agent for new anticancer drugs in future.

    • SDG 3 · Sağlık ve Kaliteli Yaşam