Abstract
BACKGROUND: Tribulus terrestris is a medicinal plant used in traditional medicine to treat certain illnesses. Though past efforts mostly focused on the fruits and roots, current research examined the phytochemical composition and bioactivity of leaf extract (LE) and seed extract (SE). METHODS: GC-MS compared phytochemical profiles, and total phenolic and flavonoid content were determined. The extracts were tested for antibacterial activity (disc diffusion, MIC/MBC), antioxidant potential (DPPH, ABTS(+)), cytotoxicity (MTT assay in MCF-7 and HepG2 cells), and anti-diabetic activity (α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibition). Expression of apoptotic genes was also investigated. RESULTS: The LE had a superior phytochemical composition, with greater phenolic and flavonoid levels. Compared to SE, it exhibited considerably higher antibacterial activity (MIC = 6.25-25 μg/mL), antioxidant potential (IC(50) = 90.71-113.41 μg/mL), cytotoxicity (IC(50) = 105.12-126.14 μg/mL), and enzyme inhibition (IC(50) = 84-96.62 μg/mL). The LE also drastically reduced the expression of anti-apoptotic genes Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL in cancer cells. T. terrestris LE has significantly higher bioactive potential than SE in a range of pharmacological arenas due to its superior phytochemically complete profile. CONCLUSIONS: The findings indicate the LE as a promising candidate for the development of standardized phytotherapeutically active compounds.