Alborz University

Introduction: Medicinal plants are valuable sources of antioxidant compounds that can be effective in treating bacterial infections and diseases caused by oxidative stress. This study aimed to investigate the antioxidant and antibacterial properties of the leaf and seed extracts of Plantago major and their inhibitory effects on lung cancer cells.
Methods: Samples were collected from Abbas Abad and extracted using the soaking method. Total phenol, flavonoid, and anthocyanin contents were quantified. The anticancer potential of the extracts was assessed using the MTT method, while antimicrobial activity was determined by the disk diffusion method. The study was approved by the Ethics Committee of the Islamic Azad University (IR.IAU.TON.REC. 1402.089).
Results: The leaf extract showed the highest total phenol content (13.90 ± 0.183 mg/g DW) and flavonoid content (0.194 ± 0.003 mg/g DW). The anticancer activity of the extracts was concentration- and time-dependent, with the highest cell growth inhibition (98.74% for leaf extract and 99.54% for seed extract) observed at 5000 mg/ml after 72 hours. The leaf and seed extracts also exhibited strong antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, with the highest zone of inhibition (non-growth area) at 1000 mg/ml.
Conclusion: The results indicate that Plantago major extract is a rich source of antioxidant compounds, particularly flavonoids, and possesses significant anti-cancer properties. It holds potential for further research as a medicinal plant in the treatment of lung cancer.