DOI: 10.17776/csj.1930877 ISSN: 2587-2680

Biomedical Potential of Alkanna tinctoria: Antioxidant, Anticancer, and Antimicrobial Activities

Bihter Şahin, Derya Okuyan
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Alkanna tinctoria is one of the most valuable species of the Boraginaceae family in terms of treatment and attracts attention with its high endemism rate and rich phytochemical content. This species, which is widely distributed in Anatolia, has been widely used since ancient times due to its wound healing, astringent and coloring properties. Naphthoquinone derivatives, especially alkannin and shikonin pigments, which are abundant in the roots of the plant, have gained an important place both as natural dyes in the cosmetics and textile industries and as therapeutics in pharmaceutical preparations. Phytochemical analysis shows that A. tinctoria is rich in phenolic compounds, hydroquinone derivatives and essential oils such as pulegon. These components have been reported to exhibit antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antiproliferative activities. Various studies have reported that different extracts of the plant show significant antimicrobial activity against pathogens such as Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli. Additionally, its topical preparations have proven effective against fungal infections and burn wounds. Anticancer studies reveal that A. tinctoria extracts arrest the cell cycle in colon, prostate, glioblastoma and breast cancer cell lines and induce apoptosis by increasing caspase 3/9 activation. These biological effects are largely attributed to the plant’s rich naphthoquinone content, particularly its major bioactive constituents. Alkannin and shikonin derivatives suppress the proliferation of cancer cells by showing a synergistic effect with some chemotherapeutic agents. All these findings support the biological basis of the traditional use of A. tinctoria and highlight the plant as a powerful natural resource.

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