The phenolic profile and biological activities of common Scorzonera species from Eastern Anatolia

The present study focused on chemical composition and base therapeutic potential of common Scorzonera species (Scorzonera mollis, Scorzonera papposa, and Scorzonera semicana), which have been utilized as food and medicine by local people of Eastern Anatolia for a long time. Comparative analytical studies were performed on ethanol-based extracts and traditional preparations (infusions) through chromatographic (HPLC-MS/MS) and reagent-based antioxidant and enzyme inhibitory assays. 
Results revelated that extracts were rich in phenolics, particularly hydroxycinnamic acids that were confirmed by HPLC-MS/MS, chlorogenic acids and luteolin are the major phytochemical compounds of extracts. With regards to biological activities findings, it was determined that ethanol-based extracts showed better antioxidant activities and effectively suppressed the activities of α-glucosidase. In addition, both of the extracts were found as strong suppressive agents of pancreatic lipase activity so Scorzonera species were rich sources of bioactive compounds that able to deactivate reactive oxygen species and free radicals and as well as suppress the activities of α-glucosidase and pancreatic lipase. Finally, obtained findings reveal base data of Scorzonera species for researches that focused on novel candidates of nutraceuticals and biotherapeutics.