Purification, characterization and anticancer potential tests of L-asparaginase enzyme from the leaves siam weed (Chromolaena odorata Linn)

Abstract

Siam weed (Chromolaena odorata L.) is a plant that interferes with the other plants and it is used as a convertional medicine that has the potential as an anticancer agent. This study aims to determine the optimum activity of the L-asparaginase enzyme purification and its anticancer potential test. The stages of this research include isolation, purification, characterization (pH, temperature, incubation time and metal ion addition) and anticancer potential test by the Brine Shrimp Lethality Test (BSLT) method. The study result showed that the highest specific activity of fractionation was fraction 2 (20-40%) of 19.94 IU/mg. The L-asparaginase enzyme has an optimum activity including pH of 8, the temperature of 370C, and an incubation time of 30 minutes with metal ions of K+ and Na+ as activators and with metals of Ca2+, Zn2+, Mg2+, Cu2+, Co2+ and Mn2+ as inhibitors. The result of the toxicity test was an LC50 value of 158.48 μg/mL which was a very toxic level. The purification of the L-asparaginase enzyme from the C. ordorata L. leaves has the potential to be developed as an anticancer agent in the future.