Research Article
BibTex RIS Cite

Comparison of Phytochemical and Antioxidant Properties of Thymbra Spicata L. Supplied from Different Geographical Regions

Year 2025, Volume: 46 Issue: 4, 707 - 714, 30.12.2025
https://doi.org/10.17776/csj.1770233

Abstract

Thymbra spicata L. is an aromatic medicinal plant belonging to the Lamiaceae family, known in traditional medicine for its antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties. Due to its rich chemical composition of phenolic compounds, this species can exhibit significant variations in phytochemical composition depending on the geographical conditions in which it grows. In this study, the phenolic compound profiles, total phenolic (TPC) and total flavonoid (TFC) contents, and antioxidant capacity of T. spicata L. samples obtained from Hatay (Turkey) and Yasuj (Iran) were comparatively evaluated. An approach consistent with the principles of green analytical chemistry was adopted in the analytical process, using ethanol as the primary solvent in all extractions and measurements. Quantitative determinations of catechin, esculetin, caffeic acid, coumarin, rutin, ellagic acid, resveratrol, luteolin, and apigenin were performed using a rapid and sensitive HPLC method. As a result of the analyses, the Hatay extract was found to have significantly higher values of compounds such as quercetin (2.138 μg mg-1), esculetin (1.209 μg mg-1), and apigenin (1.232 μg mg-1) compared to Yasuj extract (p < 0.0001). In TPC and TFC measurements, Hatay extract showed higher contents with 92.258 ± 3.162 mg GAE g-1 and 38.591 ± 0.311 mg RE g-1, respectively (n=3). Antioxidant activities of Thymbra spicata L. samples were determined using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power (FRAP), and Cupric Reducing Antioxidant Capacity (CUPRAC) methods; radical scavenging and metal ion reducing capacities of Hatay extract were found to be significantly higher than Yasuj extract. In general, the results indicate that environmental differences depending on the growth region play a determining role on the phytochemical composition and biological activity of T. spicata.

Thanks

I would like to thank Prof. Dr. Sabriye Perçin Özkorucuklu for her support in providing access to the Bioanalytical Chemistry Laboratory, her academic guidance, and invaluable moral contributions.

References

  • [1] Lobo V., Patil A., Phatak A., Chandra N., Free radicals, antioxidants and functional foods: Impact on human health, Pharmacogn. Rev., 4 (2010) 118–126.
  • [2] Dash U.C., Panda S.K., Nayak A., Oxidative stress and inflammation in the pathogenesis of neurological disorders: mechanisms and implications, Acta Pharm. Sin. B, 15 (2025) 15–34.
  • [3] Shah A.B., Lee K.Y., Integrative metabolomics and system pharmacology reveal the antioxidant blueprint of Psoralea corylifolia, Sci. Rep., 15 (2025) 28632.
  • [4] Abuajah C.I., Ogbonna A.C., Osuji C.M., Functional components and medicinal properties of food: a review, J. Food Sci. Technol., 52 (2015) 2522–2529.
  • [5] Shahidi F., Ambigaipalan P., Phenolics and polyphenolics in foods, beverages and spices: Antioxidant activity and health effects – A review, J. Funct. Foods, 18 (2015) 820–897.
  • [6] Chaachouay N., Zidane L., Plant-derived natural products: A source for drug discovery and development, Drugs Drug Candidates, 3 (2024) 184–207.
  • [7] Solgi M., Bagnazari M., Mohammadi M., Azizi A., Thymbra spicata extract and arbuscular mycorrhizae improved the morphophysiological traits, biochemical properties, and essential oil content and composition of Rosmarinus officinalis L. under salinity stress, BMC Plant Biol., 25 (2025) 220.
  • [8] Farhat F., Ashaq N., Noman A., Aqeel M., Raja S., Naheed R., Maqsood M.F., Haider I., Tariq A., Exogenous application of moringa leaf extract confers salinity tolerance in sunflower by concerted regulation of antioxidants and secondary metabolites, J. Soil Sci. Plant Nutr., 23 (2023) 3806–3822.
  • [9] Ghadirnezhad Shiade S.R., Zand-Silakhoor A., Fathi A., Rahimi R., Minkina T., Rajput V.D., Zulfiqar U., Chaudhary T., Plant metabolites and signaling pathways in response to biotic and abiotic stresses: Exploring biostimulant applications, Plant Stress, 12 (2024) 100454.
  • [10] Iriti M., Vitalini S., Apostolides N.A., El Beyrouthy M., Chemical composition and antiradical capacity of essential oils from Lebanese medicinal plants, J. Essent. Oil Res., 26 (2014) 466–472.
  • [11] Baştemur G.Y., Akpınar R., Kır E., Özkorucuklu S.P., Development and validation of the HPLC-DAD method for the simultaneous determination of anthraquinones in Rumex crispus L. and Rumex acetosella L. plants and evaluation of their antioxidant capacities, J. Anal. Chem., 79 (2024) 180–190.
  • [12] Tungmunnithum D., Thongboonyou A., Pholboon A., Yangsabai A., Flavonoids and other phenolic compounds from medicinal plants for pharmaceutical and medical aspects: An overview, Medicines, 5 (2018) 93.
  • [13] Chaalal M., et al., Phenolic contents and in vitro antioxidant activity of four commonly consumed nuts in Algeria, Acta Aliment., 48 (2019) 125–131.
  • [14] Kabtni S., Sdouga D., Rebey I.B., Save M., Trifi-Farah N., Fauconnier M.-L., Marghali S., Influence of climate variation on phenolic composition and antioxidant capacity of Medicago minima populations, Sci. Rep., 10 (2020) 8293.
  • [15] Diab F., Beghelli D., Nuccitelli A., Lupidi G., Khalil M., Portincasa P., Vergani L., Supplementation with Thymbra spicata extract ameliorates lifespan, body-weight gain and paraquat-induced oxidative stress in Drosophila melanogaster: An age- and sex-related study, J. Funct. Foods, 114 (2024) 106078.
  • [16] Dou Y., Tu F., Wu Y., Wang X., Lu G., Zhao L., Facile preparation of kaolin supported silver nanoparticles mediated by Thymbra spicata extract and investigation of the anti-human lung cancer properties, J. Saudi Chem. Soc., 25 (2021) 101303.
  • [17] Toker E.B., Yeşilbağ K., In vitro antiviral activity of Thymbra spicata L. extract on bovine respiratory viruses (BCoV, BPIV-3, BRSV, BVDV and BoHV-1), J. Appl. Microbiol., 132 (2022) 2625–2632.
  • [18] Kerem S., Koşar N., Tekin F., Güreser A.S., Özbek Ö., Investigation of antimicrobial activities and molecular characterization of the species belong to Origanum, Thymus and Thymbra genera by ISSR, Mol. Biol. Rep., 50 (2023) 289–298.
  • [19] Kızıl S., Determination of essential oil variations of Thymbra spicata var. spicata L. naturally growing in the wild flora of East Mediterranean and Southeastern Anatolia regions of Turkey, Ind. Crops Prod., 32 (2010) 593–600.
  • [20] Lin D., Xiao M., Zhao J., Li Z., Xing B., Li X., Kong M., Li L., Zhang Q., Liu Y., Chen H., Qin W., Wu H., Chen S., An overview of plant phenolic compounds and their importance in human nutrition and management of type 2 diabetes, Molecules, 21 (2016) 1374.
  • [21] Barakat A., Wakim L.H., Apostolides N.A., Srour G., El Beyrouthy M., Variation in the essential oils of Thymbra spicata L. growing wild in Lebanon according to the date of harvest, J. Essent. Oil Res., 25 (6) (2013) 506–511.
  • [22] Khalil M., Caponio G.R., Diab F., Shanmugam H., Di Ciaula A., Khalifeh H., Vergani L., Calasso M., De Angelis M., Portincasa P., Unraveling the beneficial effects of herbal Lebanese mixture “Za’atar”. History, studies, and properties of a potential healthy food ingredient, J. Funct. Foods, 90 (2022) 104993.
  • [23] Apak R., Özyürek M., Güçlü K., Çapanoglu E., Antioxidant Activity/Capacity Measurement. 1. Classification, Physicochemical Principles, Mechanisms, and Electron Transfer (ET)-Based Assays, J. Agric. Food Chem., 64 (5) (2016) 997–1027.
  • [24] Sengun I.Y., Yucel E., Ozturk B., Kilic G., Chemical compositions, total phenolic contents, antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of the extract and essential oil of Thymbra spicata L. growing wild in Turkey, J. Food Meas. Charact., 15 (2021) 386–393.
  • [25] Bener M., Modeling and optimizing microwave-assisted extraction of antioxidants from Thymbra spicata L. and characterization of their phenolic constituents, Food Sci. Biotechnol., 28 (6) (2019) 1733–1745.
  • [26] Yıldırım Baştemur G., Akpınar R., Kültür Ş., Percin Ozkorucuklu S., Evaluation of phenolic and anthraquinone profiles of Polygonacaeae family from Turkey, SYLWAN, 168 (2024).
  • [27] Askun T., Tumen G., Satil F., Ates M., Characterization of the phenolic composition and antimicrobial activities of Turkish medicinal plants, Pharm. Biol., 47 (2009) 563–571.
  • [28] Sajid M., Płotka-Wasylka J., Green analytical chemistry metrics: A review, Talanta, 238 (2022) 123046.
  • [29] Kyriakoudi A., Mourtzinos I., Green extraction technology of polyphenols from food by-products, Foods, 11 (8) (2022) 1109.
  • [30] Kumari D., Alsayadi Y.M.M.A., Sharma N., A review: Exploratory analysis of recent advancement in green analytical chemistry application, Anal. Methods Environ. Chem. J., 7 (1) (2024) 86–114.
  • [31] Kaura N., Singh B., Kaura A., Yadav M.P., Singh N., Ahlawat A.K., Singh A.M., Composition and antioxidant properties of wheatgrass from different wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) varieties, Food Chem., 341 (2021) 128201.
  • [32] Chang C.C., Yang M.H., Wen H.M., Chern J.C., Estimation of total flavonoid content in propolis by two complementary colorimetric methods, J. Food Drug Anal., 10 (3) (2002) 178–182.
  • [33] Macakova K., Afonso R., Saso L., Mladenka P., The influence of alkaloids on oxidative stress and related signaling pathways, Free Radic. Biol. Med., 134 (2019) 429–444.
  • [34] Akpınar R., Yıldırım Baştemur G., Bıçak B., Sanli N.O., Mertoğlu Kamalı E., Pekmez M., et al., Phytochemical profiling, in vitro biological activities, and in silico (molecular docking and absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, toxicity) studies of Polygonum cognatum Meissn., J. Sep. Sci., 47 (2024) 2300750.
  • [35] Apak R., Guclu K., Ozyurek M., Karademir S.E., Novel total antioxidant capacity index for dietary polyphenols and vitamins C and E, using their cupric ion reducing capability in the presence of neocuproine: CUPRAC method, J. Agric. Food Chem., 52 (2024) 7970–7981.
  • [36] Ng Y.V., Ali M.K.M., Ishak W.R.W., Optimization of aqueous extraction conditions for bioactive compounds and antioxidant properties of overripe banana (Musa acuminata) using response surface methodology, J. Agric. Food Res., 20 (2025) 101775.
  • [37] Elshibani F.A., Mohammed H.A., Abouzied A.S., Abdulkarim A.K., Khan R.A., Almahmoud S.A., Huwaimel B., Alamami A.D., Phytochemical and biological activity profiles of Thymbra linearifolia: An exclusively native species of Libyan Green mountains, Arab. J. Chem., 16 (2023) 104775.
  • [38] Li Y., Kong D., Fu Y., Sussman M.R., Wu H., The effect of developmental and environmental factors on secondary metabolites in medicinal plants, Plant Physiol. Biochem., 148 (2020) 80–89.
  • [39] Nawaz M., Sun J., Shabbir S., Khattak W.A., Ren G., Nie X., Bo Y., Javed Q., Du D., Sonne C., A review of plants strategies to resist biotic and abiotic environmental stressors, Sci. Total Environ., 900 (2023) 165832.
  • [40] Ozcan M.M., Ozkan G., Sagdic O., Antibacterial effects of Istanbul thyme (Origanum vulgare L. subsp. hirtum (Link) Ietsw.) and Karabas thyme (Thymbra spicata L. var. spicata) extracts, J. Food Saf. Food Qual., 66 (2015) 177–181.
  • [41] Gedikoğlu A., Sökmen M., Çivit A., Evaluation of Thymus vulgaris and Thymbra spicata essential oils and plant extracts for chemical composition, antioxidant, and antimicrobial properties, Food Sci. Nutr., 7 (2019) 1704–1714.
  • [42] Uğurtay A., Karaoğul E., Antioxidant, phenolic and flavonoid properties of thyme (Thymbra spicata) juice and extraction, Int. J. Curr. Nat. Sci. Adv. Phytochem., 2 (2022) 3.
  • [43] Tanrıkulu G.İ., Ertürk Ö., Yavuz C., Can Z., Çakır H.E., Chemical compositions, antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of the essential oil and extracts of Lamiaceae family (Ocimum basilicum and Thymbra spicata) from Turkey, Int. J. Sec. Metabolite, 4 (3, Suppl. 2) (2017) 340–348.
  • [44] Erturk O., Tanrikulu G.I., Yavuz C., Can Z., Cakir H.E., Chemical compositions, antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of the essential oil and extracts of Lamiaceae family (Ocimum basilicum and Thymbra spicata) from Turkey, Int. J. Sec. Metabolite, 4 (3) (2017) 340–348.
  • [45] Tohidi B., Rahimmalek M., Arzani A., Essential oil composition, total phenolic, flavonoid contents, and antioxidant activity of Thymus species collected from different regions of Iran, Food Chem., 220 (2017) 153–161.
  • [46] Fuso A., Dejonghe W., Cauwenberghs L., Rosso G., Rosso F., Manera I., et al., DPPH radical scavenging activity of xylooligosaccharides mixtures of controlled composition: A step forward in understanding structure–activity relationship, J. Funct. Foods, 101 (2023) 105417.
  • [47] Khalil M., Khalifeh H., Baldini F., Salis A., Damonte G., Daher A., Voci A., Vergani L., Antisteatotic and antioxidant activities of Thymbra spicata L. extracts in hepatic and endothelial cells as in vitro models of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, J. Ethnopharmacol., 239 (2019) 111919.
  • [48] Benzie I.F., Strain J.J., The ferric reducing ability of plasma (FRAP) as a measure of antioxidant power: the FRAP assay, Anal. Biochem., 239 (1) (1996) 70–76.
  • [49] Alizadeh A., Alizadeh O., Amari G., Zare M., Essential oil composition, total phenolic content, antioxidant activity and antifungal properties of Iranian Thymus daenensis subsp. daenensis Celak. as influenced by ontogenetical variation, J. Essent. Oil Bear. Plants, 16 (1) (2013) 59–70.
  • [50] Kirkan B., Sarikurkcu C., Amarowicz R., Composition, and antioxidant and enzyme-inhibition activities, of essential oils from Satureja thymbra and Thymbra spicata var. spicata, Flavour Fragr. J., 34 (2019) 436–442.
  • [51] Küçükaydın S., Çayan F., Tel-Çayan G., Duru M.E., HPLC-DAD phytochemical profiles of Thymus cariensis and T. cilicicus with antioxidant, cytotoxic, anticholinesterase, antiurease, anti-tyrosinase, and antidiabetic activities, S. Afr. J. Bot., 143 (2021) 155–163.
There are 51 citations in total.

Details

Primary Language English
Subjects Plant Biotechnology, Natural Products and Bioactive Compounds
Journal Section Research Article
Authors

Gizem Yıldırım Baştemur 0000-0002-4634-4525

Submission Date August 21, 2025
Acceptance Date November 24, 2025
Publication Date December 30, 2025
Published in Issue Year 2025 Volume: 46 Issue: 4

Cite

APA Yıldırım Baştemur, G. (2025). Comparison of Phytochemical and Antioxidant Properties of Thymbra Spicata L. Supplied from Different Geographical Regions. Cumhuriyet Science Journal, 46(4), 707-714. https://doi.org/10.17776/csj.1770233

Editor