Ex Vitro Symbiotic Seed Germination, Antioxidant Activity, and in Silico Molecular Docking of Anacamptis Laxiflora (Orchidaceae)

Abstract

This study aims to examine the physiological and chemical changes occurring at different stages of the Anacampti laxiflora life cycle and to evaluate the binding affinities of its chemical compounds with the DGAT1 enzyme using in silico methods. Germination occurred successfully with a rate of 93.17 % (f3.06). Seedling growth reached a level of 69.20 % (f3.50), and the requirement for fungal presence during germination was confirmed. The antioxidant activity of the A. laxiflora seed extract was determined with an IC50 value of 109.04 f 20.92 mg/mL. The antioxidant activity of the above-ground extract had an IC50 value of 90.12 f 14.60 mg/mL, indicating a higher antioxidant potential than the seed extract. The total flavonoid content in the seed extract was measured as 277.56 f 36.29 mg QE/g. In contrast, the total phenol content was 183.76 f 5.06 mg GAE/g. The total flavonoid content in the above-ground extract was 397.57 f 10.03 mg QE/g, and the total phenolic content was determined as 190.51 f 3.57 mg GAE/g. The A. laxiflora above-ground extract has a richer phytochemical content than the A. laxiflora seed extract. FTIR analysis of seeds, protocorms, and seedlings revealed distinct vibrational modes. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis identified 19 chemical compounds in the above-ground extract and 18 in the seed extract. Furthermore, in silico studies on the DGAT1 enzyme demonstrated that p-coumaric acid (-6.2 kcal/mol) and trans-ferulic acid (-6.3 kcal/mol) exhibited moderate binding affinity. These findings suggest that these compounds can potentially act as DGAT1 inhibitors. Overall, the results highlight the potential of A. laxiflora for health and industrial applications. (c) 2025 SAAB. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights are reserved, including those for text and data mining, AI training, and similar technologies.