Antioxidant and enzyme inhibitory potential of Tilia platyphyllos: An LC-MS/MS-guided phytochemical insight

Dikici E., Altin S., IŞIK M., Aggul A. G., KÖKSAL E., Rudrapal M.

Pharmacological Research - Natural Products, vol.12, 2026 (Scopus)

Abstract

This study focused on assessing the phenolic composition and biological activities of the ethanol extract of Tilia platyphyllos, including its anticholinesterase, antidiabetic, and antioxidant potential. LC-MS/MS analysis identified 14 phenolic compounds, with catechin as the major component. The total phenolic/flavonoid contents were determined as 48.07 µg GAE/mg and 88.46 µg QE/mg, respectively. The extract exhibited significant antioxidant capacity in DPPH, ABTS, FRAP, and CUPRAC assays, with radical scavenging activities of 20.61 ± 1.52% for DPPH and 28.13 ± 1.61% for ABTS at 0.2 μg/mL. It also inhibited linoleic acid peroxidation by approximately 51%, exhibiting greater efficacy than the standart antioxidants Trolox and α-tocopherol. In terms of cholinesterase inhibition, the extract showed potent activity against AChE and BChE, with IC₅₀ values of 1.08 ± 0.02 µg/mL and 1.18 ± 0.08 µg/mL, respectively—markedly more effective than tacrine, which had IC50 values of 3.19 ± 0.11 µg/mL for AChE and 2.51 ± 0.03 µg/mL for BChE. For antidiabetic evaluation, α-glucosidase inhibition was observed with an IC50 of 0.44 ± 0.01 µg/mL, outperforming acarbose (3.24 ± 0.09 µg/mL). These findings suggest that the phenolic-rich extract of Tilia platyphyllos may possess notable antioxidant, neuroprotective, and antidiabetic activities, highlighting its potential as a functional food or natural therapeutic agent.