In vitro Evaluation of Antioxidant, Antibacterial, Antifungal and Cytotoxic Activities of Johreniopsis stricticaulis in Two Growth Stages

Johreniopsis stricticaulis (Rech.f.) Pimenov is a rare aromatic species of the Johreniopsis genus (Apiaceae family). In this research, the aerial part of the plant was harvested in two phonological stages (pre-flowering [PF] and after-flowering [AF]), and different solvent extracts (MeOH, ethyl acetate and CH2Cl2) were prepared. Phenolic compounds, antioxidant activity, antibacterial and antifungal properties were investigated. Cell cytotoxicity was also evaluated on three cell lines as human prostate cancer cell line (PC3), human breast cancer cell line (MCF-7) and mouse fibroblast cell line (L929; as a non-malignant cell line). The results showed that the phenolic contents in different extracts varied significantly. Methanol extracts had the highest phenolic content and also antioxidant activity in both stages, but it was lower than other extracts on cell death. Antimicrobial evaluation of the extracts showed that ethyl acetate extract was found to be the most effective, followed by dichloromethane and methanol extracts. All extracts were more effective in Gram-positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus) than Gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli) and fungi (yeast) (Candida albicans) and higher biological activity of J. stricticaulis extracts were achieved when the plant was harvested at after flowering stage. For getting higher biological activity of J. stricticaulis extract harvesting the plant after the flowering stage was recommended.