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.
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.
| Primary Language | English |
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| Subjects | Plant Biotechnology, Natural Products and Bioactive Compounds |
| Journal Section | Research Article |
| Authors | |
| Submission Date | August 21, 2025 |
| Acceptance Date | November 24, 2025 |
| Publication Date | December 30, 2025 |
| Published in Issue | Year 2025 Volume: 46 Issue: 4 |
Editor