Phytochemical profile, antioxidant potential, and cytotoxic effect of the ethanol extract of Micromeria fruticosa

In this study, the ethanol extract of dried Micromeria fruticosa (L.) Druce, commercially sourced from the Tortum Valley (Erzurum Province), was comprehensively analysed to evaluate its bioactive potential. Considering that geographical origin and botanical differences significantly influence phytochemical composition and biological activity, the use of locally sourced commercial samples provides valuable data for plant standardisation and comparative studies. The total antioxidant activity of the extract was determined as 8.84±0.10, 4.96 ±0.05, 34.64 ±0.69, and 18.27 ±0.11 mg TE/g dry weight by DPPH, FRAP, CUPRAC, and ABTS assays, respectively. The total phenolic content was 26.25 mg GAE/g dry weight, and LC-MS/MS analysis revealed a high quinic acid content (93.395 mg/g). ICP-MS analysis showed high levels of essential minerals (Na, Mg, K, Ca, Fe, and Al), while toxic elements such as Cd, Te, and Tl were below the limit of detection, and Pb and Ba were present at very low concentrations. Additionally, the extract significantly reduced A549 lung cancer cell viability in a dose-dependent manner. Overall, Tortum Valley–derived M. fruticosa represents a promising natural bioactive source, and this study highlights the impact of local botanical and environmental variations on the biological activity of the same plant species.