Determination of phenolic constituents with LC-MS/MS and cytotoxicity evaluation of ‘tar’ from Pinus nigra Arnold (Pinaceae)

ÖZGEN A.

Natural Product Research, 2025 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Publication Date: 2025
  • Doi Number: 10.1080/14786419.2025.2463118
  • Journal Name: Natural Product Research
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, Aquatic Science & Fisheries Abstracts (ASFA), Biotechnology Research Abstracts, CAB Abstracts, Chemical Abstracts Core, CINAHL, Food Science & Technology Abstracts, MEDLINE, Veterinary Science Database
  • Keywords: cytotoxicity, HeLa cell line, L929 cell line, LC-MS/MS, MTT assay, Pinus nigra Arnold (Pinaceae;), tar
  • Istanbul Gelisim University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

In folk medicine, ‘tar’ is an essential drug in every situation and is obtained from Pinus nigra Arnold (Pinaceae), which is very common in Anatolia, especially in the Mediterranean Basin. This study aims to evaluate the chemical composition and determine cytotoxicity effects on the HeLa cell line and L929 cell line of the tar. The analysis of tar by LC-MS/MS revealed ten phenolic compounds: oxalic acid, salicylic acid, vanillic acid, ferulic acid, caffeic acid, 4-hydroxybenzoic acid, cinnamic acid, p-coumaric acid, and 3-hydroxycinnamic acid. Besides, total phenolic content (62.31 ± 0.31 mg GAE/g) and flavonoid content (3.43 ± 0.0006 mg QE/g) were determined. Cell viability was determined by MTT analysis. Tar has a significant cytotoxicity effect on the HeLa cell line in concentrations 100, 50, 25, 12.5, and 6.25 µg/mL. IC50 value of tar on HeLa cell was 132.9 µg/mL.