Exploring the Therapeutic Properties of Elaeagnus angustifolia: A Study on Its Antimicrobial, Antioxidant, and Cytotoxic Effects
Abstract
Malignant neoplasms, characterized by dysregulated cellular proliferation and immune evasion, remain a leading cause of global mortality. Plant-derived compounds have attracted increasing attention as potential therapeutic agents due to their lower toxicity profiles. This study aimed to evaluate the antimicrobial, antioxidant, and cytotoxic activity of methanol (EAM) and hexane (EAH) extracts of Elaeagnus angustifolia. Antimicrobial activity was assessed against Bacillus megaterium, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Candida albicans. The methanol extract exhibited the highest antimicrobial activity against K. pneumoniae, with an inhibition zone of 13 mm at 75 and 100 µg/mL. In B. megaterium, S. aureus, and C. albicans, inhibition zones increased in a concentration-dependent manner. Similarly, the hexane extract showed dose-dependent antimicrobial activity, with the largest inhibition zones observed at 100 µg/mL, particularly against B. megaterium and K. pneumoniae. Antioxidant activity was determined using the DPPH assay. The methanol extract demonstrated concentration-dependent free radical scavenging activity, reaching 28.6% inhibition at 100 µg/mL. Cytotoxic effects were evaluated in MCF-7 and HepG2 cell lines using the MTT assay. In MCF-7 cells, the methanol extract showed the highest cytotoxic activity at 200 µg/mL, with a 76% cell death rate, while higher concentrations (400 and 800 µg/mL) resulted in a marked reduction in cytotoxicity. The IC₅₀ value of the methanol extract in MCF-7 cells was 176.78 µg/mL. Treatment with EAM resulted in a statistically significant decrease in MCF-7 cell viability (p < 0.05), whereas EAH showed no significant effect. Neither extract exhibited significant cytotoxicity against HepG2 cells (p > 0.05). In conclusion, E. angustifolia extracts exhibit measurable antimicrobial, weak antioxidant, and selective cytotoxic activities, particularly against MCF-7 cells at lower concentrations, suggesting their potential as natural therapeutic agents.