## 3 Results
### Effect of Cornus mas L. Fruit Ethanol Extract on Cell Growth
This provides an indirect representation of the cell’s vitality. The individual bars on the graph represent the mean value of four samples \(\pm\) SD. Statistical significance was determined using [PERSON]’s post-hoc test, and _p_-values _p_\(<\) 0.001 *** were considered significant. Identical letters above the bars indicate no significant differences, whereas different letters above the bars indicate significant differences between the groups being compared. (**B**) Correlation analysis of ROS intensity and cellular respiration and the red line represent nonlinear best fit with the indicative equation. Figure 2: Determination of oxidative stress induced by _C. mas_ ethanol fruit extract. (**A**) ROS formation: H\({}_{2}\)DCFDA was employed to assess ROS formation. The ethanolic extract of _C. mas_ exposed to cells for 6 h at a concentration of 2% induced oxidative stress, leading to a significant increase in ROS levels. (**B**) MDA, a product of lipid peroxidation that serves as an indicator of oxidative damage, was measured under the extract exposure and compared to the control group. High extract concentration (2 %) correlated with elevated oxidative stress, as evidenced by increased MDA levels. The graphical representation illustrates the concentration-dependent response. Individual bars in the figure represent the mean \(\pm\) standard deviation (SD) of four individual samples (biological replicates). Statistical analysis with the use of [PERSON]’s post-hoc test revealed the differences in ROS formation and MDA production (_p_\(<\) 0.05 *, and 0.001 ***); identical letters above the bars indicate no significant differences, and different letters above the bars indicate statistical significance. Quantification of ROS and MDA levels provides a direct measure of oxidative stress in a biological system. Increased ROS concentrations indicate an imbalance between the production of these reactive molecules and cellular antioxidant defense mechanisms. Relation between Antioxidant Enzyme Activity (CAT and SOD) and Gene Expression (ctt1, sod1, sod2, and pgr1)  
After an excess amount of ROS is generated, antioxidant enzymes become activated to balance the redox state. Therefore, the activity of antioxidant enzymes, such as superoxide anion scavenger SOD and hydrogen peroxide scavenger CAT was determined 6 h after treatment. Moreover, the expression of genes encoding these enzymes was been analyzed. After exposure to the 2% extract, the formation of ROS rose, resulting in an imbalance between antioxidant cell capacity and formed ROS. Consequently, this led to an upregulation in the activity of CAT and SOD enzymes, essential components for cell protection against oxidative stress (as depicted in Figure 4A-D). The crucial role of these enzymes in resisting oxidative stress is well established. Therefore, our investigation focused on assessing the impact of _C. mas_ fruit ethanol extract on the activity of these two enzymes. Treatment with 0.5% extract did not yield any significant change in SOD and CAT activity compared to the control groups. Although cells treated with 0.5% extract showed a slight, but significant, increase in ROS formation, SOD and CAT activity did not change compared to control groups, revealing that this increased ROS formation did not affect the redox balance of the treated cells. This finding confirms that changes in cell homeostasis and oxidative stress occur specifically and are dose-dependent. Figure 4: Cellular antioxidant capacity. Cellular antioxidant capacity was assessed by measuring the activities of SOD (**A**) and CAT (**C**). Treatment with 2% _Cornus mas_ L. fruit ethanol extract for 6 h significantly influenced the activity of both antioxidant enzymes, particularly at higher concentrations. (**B,D**) describe the correlation between ROS intensity and the activity of indicated antioxidant enzymes, and the red line represents the nonlinear best fit with an indicative equation. The bars depict the average \(\pm\) SD of four individual samples.