Mistletoe (Loranthus europaeus Jacq.): antioxidant, antimicrobial and anticholinesterase activities

Plants are natural resources responsible for different biological activities. Determining the biological activities of plants is very important. In our study, some biological activities and total phenolic and flavonoid contents of Loranthus europaeus Jacq. were determined. In this context, ethanol and methanol extracts of the plant were obtained using the soxhlet device. Total antioxidant, total oxidant, and oxidative stress statuses were determined using Rel Assay kits. Antimicrobial activity was tested against standard bacterial and fungal strains using the agar dilution test. Anticholinesterase activity was determined by detecting acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) activities. Determination of total phenolic content was determined using the Folin-Ciocalteu reagent. Total flavonoid quantification was performed using an aluminum chloride assay. As a result of the study, TAS values (Total antioxidant status) of ethanol and methanol extracts of the plant were determined as 5.620±0.134 and 6.384±0.134 mmol/L, respectively. TOS values (Total oxidant status) were determined as 10.997±0.183 and 13.368±0.222 µmol/L, respectively. OSI values (Oxidative stress index) were measured as 0.196±0.004 and 0.209±0.003, respectively. TPC (Total phenolic content) value was determined as 34.49±1.78 and 55.82±2.34 mg/g, respectively, and TFC (Total flavonoid content) value was determined as 46.10±2.40 and 55.49±1.15 mg/g, respectively. Ethanol and methanol extracts of the plant were found to be effective against bacterial and fungal strains at concentrations between 50-200 µg/mL. In addition, the anti-AChE values of ethanol and methanol extracts were determined as 13.51±0.81 and 22.79±1.86 µg/mL, respectively, and the anti-BChE values were determined as 27.84±0.62 and 33.08±1.63 µg/mL, respectively. According to the results obtained, it was determined that L. europaeus has antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anticholinesterase activity. In this context, it is thought that it can be used as a natural material in pharmacological designs.