Focusing on the Chemical Characterization, Antioxidant and Cytotoxic Properties of Two Geophytes: Crocus Pallasii and Cyclamen Cilicium ^†

Species of the Crocus and Cyclamen genus have been reported to possess diverse biological properties. In the current work, the antioxidant and cytotoxic effects of the methanolic extracts of C. pallasii and C. cilicium aerial and underground parts were evaluated. The flower extracts of C. pallasii and C. cilicium possessed highest flavonoid content. Highest phenolic content was recorded from C. cilicium root extract (47.62 mg gallic acid equivalent/g extract). C. cilicium root extract showed significantly (p < 0.05) high radical scavenging (94.28 and 139.60 mg trolox equivalent [TE]/g extract, against DPPH and ABTS radicals, respectively) and reducing potential (173.30 and 109.53 mg TE/g extract, against CUPRAC and FRAP, respectively). Methanolic extracts of C. pallasii and C. cilicium showed toxicity against breast cancer cell lines. In the light of the above findings, C. cilicium might be considered as an interesting candidate in the development of anti-cancer agent, possessing antioxidant properties.