Integrative Assessment of Teucrium Extracts: Phytochemical Profile, Nutritional-Mineral Composition, Biological Activities, and Toxicological Assessment In Vitro and In Vivo

The qualitative and quantitative analysis of the Teucrium capitatum and Teucrium montanum extracts, assessment of the antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anticancer effects, and in vivo evaluation of acute oral toxicity, were conducted. T. capitatum extract contained higher amounts of flavonoids and phenolic acids than T. montanum extract. Considering the mineral composition, higher concentrations of elements were found in the T. montanum extract compared to the T. capitatum extract. The extract obtained from T. montanum exerted stronger antioxidant and antimicrobial activities than the T. capitatum extract. The ethanolic extract of T. capitatum showed the strongest cytotoxic effects against HeLa, A549, and A375 cancer cell lines, while the T. montanum extract demonstrated weaker cytotoxicity. The extracts triggered apoptosis in HeLa cells. Aqueous extracts did not cause systemic toxicity in Wistar rats. The pharmacological potential of Teucrium extracts rich in phytochemicals and showing antioxidant, cytoprotective, antimicrobial, and cytotoxic effects should be explored in further studies.