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Impact of Wildfire on the Antioxidant Potential of Doronicum columnae: A Biochemical Assessment of Methanolic Extracts from Fire-Affected and Control Sites
Stankov Jovanović, Vesna
Nikolić, Jelena
Marković, Marija
Ilić, Marija
Dimitrijević, Marija
Mitić, Milan
Mitić, Violeta
Abstract: "This study examines the antioxidant activity of methanolic extracts from the plant Doronicum columnae (commonly known as Leopard’s bane), collected from wildfire-affected areas, to assess the impact of fire as an ecological stressor on the plant’s antioxidant potential. Belonging to the Asteraceae family, D. columnae is known in folk medicine, though its chemical composition remains insufficiently studied. Members of this family often contain both beneficial bioactive compounds and potential toxins. Methanolic extracts were obtained from the aerial parts of the plant, collected one year (2008) and two years (2009) after a major wildfire on Mount Vidlič in 2007. Control samples were collected from untouched beech forests. Antioxidant activity was evaluated using five methods: total reducing power, DPPH free radical scavenging capacity, total flavonoid content, total polyphenolic content via the Folin–Ciocalteu method, and the ABTS radical cation decolorization assay. Results indicated that extracts from fire-affected areas had a higher total reducing power than control samples, with the highest values observed in 2009. This suggests that fire may stimulate the synthesis of certain antioxidants, especially during the regeneration phase. However, the contents of flavonoids and polyphenols were lower in burned-area plants, particularly in 2008, indicating an inhibitory effect of fire on the synthesis of these compounds. DPPH assay results showed increased free radical scavenging activity in plants from fire-affected areas compared to controls, with 2008 samples showing higher activity than those from 2009. Conversely, the ABTS assay revealed lower antioxidant activity in fire-affected plants, highlighting the complex biochemical response to stress. These differing results may stem from the distinct antioxidant compounds each method targets. Overall, wildfire exerted a contrasting influence on various aspects of D. columnae’s antioxidant profile. While total reducing power increased, the levels of flavonoids and polyphenols, as well as the ABTS assay results, decreased in fire-affected plants. This suggests that fire suppressed the synthesis of some antioxidant compounds while possibly enhancing alternative defense mechanisms. This research sheds light on how plants like Doronicum columnae biochemically adapt to ecological stressors such as wildfire. The findings highlight the complexity of secondary metabolite responses and suggest the species as a promising subject for further study as a potential natural antioxidant source, particularly in the context of increasing ecological disturbances caused by climate change and wildfires."
engleski
2025
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Keywords: Doronicum columnae, wildfire, antioxidant activity