Abstract:

The aim of this study was to investigate in vitro antimicrobial, antioxidant, and cytotoxic activities of n-hexanoic, ethanolic, methanolic, ethyl acetate, and aqueous extracts of the aerial parts of Erica arborea L. and Erica bocquetii P.F. Stevens known to be endemic species for Turkey. The antimicrobial activity was investigated by disc diffusion method, and the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) by Broth Microdilution method. The antioxidant activity was determined by an improved assay based on the decolorization of the radical monocation of [2,2/-azinobis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid)] (ABTS+). The cytotoxic activities were evaluated using Brine shrimp bioassay. The all extracts both species of Erica were also found to possess antimicrobial activity against some of the bacteria, but no activity was observed against the yeast. The antioxidant potentials of the extracts of E. bocquetii were obtained two times higher than those of E. arborea. Erica extracts did not exhibit the cytotoxic activity against Brine shrimp.

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