Evaluation of antioxidant enzymes and elements content of Centaurea kurdica Reichardt and Centaurea urvillei DC. subsp. hayekiana Wagenitz

Chronic illnesses are quickly increasing worldwide. Nourishment and diet have an important place in the improvement and maintenance of health throughout the whole life. Biochemical and physiological change in the organism may result in overexpress of free radicals causing to oxidative injury to biomolecules. Recently, the use of medical plants has increased due to their useful properties such as antioxidants, anticancer and hypoglycaemic activities. Centaurea kurdicaReichardt and Centaurea urvilleiDC. subsp. hayekianaWagenitz (Asteraceae) used in this study taxa are endemic species naturally grown in various regions of Elazig. Many taxa of Centaureaare being traditionally used both in our country and across the world for medical purposes as well as nutrients. Centaurea kurdicaReichardt and Centaurea urvilleiDC. subsp. hayekianaWagenitz (Asteraceae) taxa were obtained from their natural habitats in Elaz？？. Physiological changes such as heavy metal segregation, antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione S transferase (GST), ascorbat peroxidase (AP) and catalase (CAT) activities in plant tissues were determined. Among the enzymes studied, SOD is the enzyme with the highest activity. It has been determined that the maximum accumulation of the accumulation is usually on the leaves. The activities of enzymatic antioxidants: superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione S transferase (GST), ascorbat peroxidase (APX) and catalase (CAT) activities were assayed and found significantly higher i.e. 1.315, 0.011, 0.031 and 0.007 (unit mg-1fresh tissues) respectively in Centaurea kurdicathan Centaurea urvilleiDC. subsp. hayekiana, where C. kurdicawas recorded next plant in order to be better-off in the entire enzyme activity assessed except ascorbate peroxidase