Correlation between the biological activities and chemical profile of extracts from Cistus incanus

Some herbs have potential antidiabetic effects by reducing oxidative stress and inhibiting enzymes that break down complex sugars, which helps reduce hyperglycemia. In this study chemical composition, antioxidant potential and α-amylase inhibition by the aqueous and ethanolic extracts from Cistus incanus are presented. Cistus incanus belongs to the Cistaceae family. It has been used in folk medicine for centuries. For this reason it is subject of interest for researchers looking for new compounds of plant origin with high biological activity. Antioxidant activity of aqueous and ethanolic extracts was evaluated in terms of free radical scavenging (DPPH, ABTS), reducing power (CUPRAC, FRAP), total phenolic content (TPC), and possibility to iron(II) ion chelation. Enzyme inhibitory potential were tested against α-amylase using 3,5- dinitrosalicylic acid method. It was found that ethanol extracts of cistus were characterized by higher antioxidant activity and also inhibited alpha amylase activity to a greater extent than aqueous extracts. Determination of the concentration of polyphenolic compounds (GC-MS) and selected elements (ICP-MS) in the test samples was also done. Cistus incanus is a source of phenolic compounds with antioxidant and antidiabetic effects. It came out that gallic and ellagic acids are the most represented in studied samples. The presence of phenylacetic, benzoic and cinnamic acid derivatives as well as flavonoids such as quercetin and kaempferol was also demonstrated. A correlation between the biological activity of cistus extracts and the content of phenolic compounds was found. The results of the studies indicate a high antioxidant potential of ethanol extracts from cistus and its clear health-promoting potential. Funding the research was carried out as part of research work WZ/WB-IIŚ/2/2023 at the Department of Chemistry, Biology and Biotechnology of the Białystok University of Technology and financed from the 2024 subsidy provided by Minister of Science and Higher Education. Publication History Article published online: 05 March 2026 © 2026. Thieme. All rights reserved. Georg Thieme Verlag KG Oswald-Hesse-Straße 50, 70469 Stuttgart, Germany