Cypriot Cyclamen spp.: Phytochemical Profiles, Evaluation of the Antioxidant, Antimicrobial Activities and α-Amylase, α-Glucosidase and Acetylcholinesterase Inhibitory Effects

Cyclamen cyprium Kotschy, an endemic species of Cyprus, remains largely unexplored in terms of its chemical content and biological activity, despite the well-documented effects of other Cyclamen spp. This study aimed to characterize the phytochemical composition and biological activities of leaf extracts from the endemic C. cyprium and to compare them with those of Cyclamen persicum, the most extensively investigated species within the genus, in order to evaluate interspecific variation in phytochemical composition and bioactivity. Plant extracts prepared with methanol, ethanol, and acetone were assessed for total phenolic and flavonoid content. Their antioxidant activity (DPPH, ABTS, and FRAP assays), metal chelating ability, antimicrobial activity, and possible inhibitory effect related to α-amylase, α-glucosidase and acetylcholinesterase were also evaluated. The results demonstrated that solvent type significantly influenced extraction efficiency, with acetone yielding the highest phenolic (127.88 mg gallic acid/g) and flavonoid (110.42 mg rutin/g) content, while methanol extracts exhibited the strongest antioxidant activity (IC50 = 30.18 μg/mL). Overall, C. persicum showed greater antioxidant capacity compared to C. cyprium, although both species demonstrated moderate antimicrobial activity (MIC = 0.31 mg/mL) and enzyme inhibitory activities (IC50 values ranging from 14.07 to 39.64 μg/mL). Present findings highlight the presence of bioactive compounds (such as gallic acid, caffeic acid, rutin, and quercetin) in C. cyprium, supporting their potential as a natural source of antioxidant and pharmacologically relevant agents. Studying both C. cyprium and C. persicum thus provides essential comparative context, revealing species-specific bioactivities and supporting the broader pharmaceutical relevance of the genus.